After boot camp, the closest thing I ever saw to exercise as punishment was once when the CO was pissed about battalion order and discipline and had us march our platoons around for 45 minutes. Otherwise, nothing. If you were a fuck-up, you would often be assigned to galley duty or to Special Services or some such, where your lack of motivation wouldn’t affect morale quite as much. It doesn’t take too long at washing dishes and mopping floors to make you think perhaps you’d rather be working at the job you were trained for.
Never saw it in the USCG outside of boot camp which had push ups “cranking” or occasionally whistle drills (assume push-up position on whistle,
stand up on another) or holding out M1 rifle when practicing arms drill (left shoulder arms, that kindof jive).
If you had some kind of physical ailment approved by sick bay, you were given a yellow belt to wear (healthy recruits wore a green one outside of squad bay) and CCs (company commander, drill instructor is not used) could not have you do push-ups.
One reason given for whistle drills is that you try to eliminate people who can not react to stressful situations, which you can easily encounter. I don’t know how effective it is: a typhoon at sea must be way different but that’s what they said.
OK, that is what I was remembering. I thought you were saying Drill couldn’t smoke recruits anymore and my heart sank. 
It’s understood at this point that regular Joes aren’t subject to that sort of madness. Although I did see my 1st Sgt drop my E7 boss once for “5 good ones”–big yucks all around. We were a close bunch and it was clearly in fun.
Well, I could go on and on over that subject, and your heart would sink. To say it doesn’t happen would be disingenuous. But I wouldn’t be lying if I said I was putting my career on the line every time I had a the platoon do more than 10 push-ups for fucking up…
Hell… I almost lost my job over putting a private in an elevated front-leaning rest position (push-up position with feet on a table). Not yelling at him or even making him do repetitions. Seriously almost lost my hat, badge and rank over that. Going to stop there before I derail this.
In boot camp the front of the squad bay was called the classroom, be ause if you eff’d up that’s where you were called to do exercises and learn better discipline. It was a school, and the DIs were the teachers.
Out in the fleet it wasn’t common but still did happen. But that was way back in the 80s in ANGLICO and artillery units. Things are likely different now.
Yes, for me boot camp was more of a mental challenge and less of a physical one. Mind over matter, and all that.
What if the problem the commander is “punishing” is that he’s noticed that the troops are more out-of-shape than they should be? Would that be an illegitimate punishment, or a legitimate response to improve a deficiency?
I’ll jump in: then you develop a PT plan for those troops. Once you’ve identified weaker troops, to punish them with push ups or what not would not be good leadership.
Agreed.
A physical training program in accordance with FM 7-22 would not be punishment. If soldiers are not meeting the standard, more planned and organized exercise is fine.
Stress Cards for recruits still in Basic and AIT (in the Army) Its a thing, can’t recall specific since they were only doing a pilot program at Ft. Jackson (ahh relaxin Jackson) when I went in, and I went to Ft. Knox for Basic and AIT
The Stress Cards, and that coddlling mentality are starting to spread outside of training. I’ve moved home a few NCOs who chose to leave the military for exactly what you describe Bear. Platoon with 1 or 2 trouble-makers you’re not allowed to discipline at all beyond a written counseling statement every 6 months or so was the common theme.
ETA I meant to quote your second post not the one I DID quote
Yep, and in the Army its a recognized and regulated thing also. It’s called “remedial PT”. My understanding is that at some places they have entire platoons devoted to remedial pt.
ninja’d by Bear Nenno
Ahhh, Fort Knox Basic Training. Good old Agony and Misery.