I will be happy to take you up on this point. My service was
from 1990 to 1993, in the old days when the barracks were on
Netheravon Road, out of sight of the CO's office where instructors
were given much more leeway in their actions.
I was, and still count myself as, a Commando. I will state
definitively, from the perspective of someone who was there in the
days of the old barracks, and of someone who more than survived the
training that far exceeds your SERE course in intensity and
duration, that the actions of the trainer were wholly
unacceptable.
Captain Roger Courtney said to his batch of SBS recruits in 1942:
"Are you TOUGH? If so, get out. I want f***ers with intelligence".
That is the essence of the unit - the macho crap is only a
corollary.
The distinction between the Commando ethos and that of other units
is that every commando is expected to think for himself and act
upon his judgement, rather than running, getting into prone
position, letting off a few shots and waiting for further orders.
Anything else that we do is simply an extension of that
principle.
As such, the training is meant to impart that faith in one's
individual judgement - this leads to the impression of poor
discipline, as tripwire has pointed out, and also to the actions
that we tend to take, which are executed only because they are
necessary to get the job done - not to impress anyone.
It follows then that the instruction provided must be as
professional as possible. I expect that, more so
than any other unit, the operating principle reads, "Leave your
testosterone at the door". Anybody deviating from that principle is
untrue to the Commando ethos.
I will therefore entirely disagree with you that "we have to be
wussies and cry out for heads to roll for unauthorized training".
That is simply against the standards of Commandos, and for that
heads will indeed have to roll.
On other notes...
Darren - we are mad, bad and dangerous to know - that is what we
always have been, and God willing that is what we always will be.
Live it up.
Lotus, [email protected] is right - you are a dickhead if you think that
killing off our soldiers is in any way, shape or form good for the
military. With your armchair Rambo attitude, I find the irony of
your posting "If you want to 'fight', 'fight' like a man.
haiz.......... " absolutely sickening.
