|
|
Post by dwightmachinehead on Aug 17, 2020 13:47:55 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by twothousandonemark on Aug 17, 2020 13:49:31 GMT
I always just chalked it up that the drill instructor was a lone maniac of a bygone mythical era.
|
|
|
|
Post by bravomailer on Aug 17, 2020 14:21:05 GMT
The basic training in FMJ is set in late 1966. Yes, boot camp was quite "physical" back then but it became less so by the early 70s when I went through army basic. There was shoving and finger jabs to the collarbone. I only saw overt hitting once. A friend who went through Parris Island in '66 said hitting on the head and face was quite rare.
Back in the 60s and before, teachers hit students and coaches smacked players. That was how it was.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sarge on Aug 19, 2020 7:35:53 GMT
I went Army Infantry basic in the 80s and hitting was not uncommon. One of my DI, used to punch me in the chest all the time. I had a big black and blue bruise for 8 weeks.
One uncle went through marine basic during WWII and he had stories, they would smack you around. Another uncle was in the Army during WWII and told stories of sergeants taking guys behind the barracks and beating the tar out if them. Same uncle also had an entire German brigade surrender to him. Apparently they were running from the Russians and surrendered to the first American they found.
|
|
|
|
Post by bravomailer on Aug 19, 2020 18:00:54 GMT
This book from the period might be worth a look. Also, search "Ribbon Creek incident".  |
|
|
|
Post by lowtacks86 on Aug 19, 2020 18:05:54 GMT
R. Lee Ermey was an actual drill sargent, who orginally wasn't even supposed to be in the film (he was supposed to coach the actor that would play the sargent) but Kubrick liked him so much he cast him in the movie. So yeah, I would imagne it was at least somewhat realistic. I do think the part where he tried to take the gun away from Gomer was riddiculous though (he should have kept his distance, try to call him down, and then call for a SWAT team to take the nutball down)
|
|
|
|
Post by mattgarth on Aug 19, 2020 18:54:54 GMT
Take it from an ex-leatherneck -- yep, it sure was!
|
|
