Anyone besides me slightly overwhelmed with some of the recent basic training innovations being discussed/implemented by the Army? Last week I learned that soldiers in basic training at Leonard Wood and Sill (a select few...not all) will be issued smart-phones like the iPhone or Droid, in order to be able to utilize some "Army Apps" and so forth. Then today I read in Army Times online that TRADOC is now referring to those undergoing basic training as "soldier athletes" (aka warriors) and as such they will no longer have as many choices of food in the mess hall as they once had. Idea is to have healthier food to fuel (not feed) the body as it undergoes rigorous training.
I can't argue against these sorts of innovations, but I imagine many Drill Sergeants from the past are rolling their eyes at what's going on, and many veterans are asking, "If it was good enough for me, why not them?"
Anybody remember during the early stages of the all-volunteer Army in the mid 1970s when we were served beer in the mess hall? Whatever, lots going on in basic training these days, and hopefully what comes out the other end will be more worthwhile than the ill conceived "beer experiment".
