At Fort Jackson in South Carolina, where half of all U.S. Army recruits undergo basic training, the traditional image of harsh drill sergeants and grueling physical drills is evolving. Today’s recruits are learning much more than how to march or fire a weapon—they are being trained in emotional health, communication skills, and navigating social challenges.
This modernization comes as the Army addresses issues like mental health struggles, sexual harassment, and a generation of recruits more accustomed to digital interaction than face-to-face communication.
A Holistic Approach to Soldier Training
While physical preparation for combat remains a cornerstone of basic training, the Army is now emphasizing emotional and social preparedness. New recruits are taught:
- Healthy coping mechanisms: Breathing exercises, yoga, and holistic nutrition are introduced to help recruits manage stress.
- Communication and consent: Soldiers engage in discussions about sexual harassment, physical boundaries, and appropriate behavior.
- Social skills: Classes address toxic relationships, conflict resolution, and even texting etiquette, providing skills for both military and personal life.
For many young soldiers, this training marks their first encounter with adult responsibilities and emotional challenges. “You need to be really grounded in your emotions and your goals,” said 18-year-old recruit Gleny Montenegro Herrera.
Tackling Generational Challenges
With nearly half of active-duty Army recruits under the age of 25, today’s soldiers face unique challenges shaped by their upbringing in the digital age. Many recruits arrive at Fort Jackson heavily reliant on their phones and lacking face-to-face communication skills.
“Many soldiers don’t know how to interact with one another because they’re so used to being in digital forums,” said Col. David Uthlaut, commander of the 165th Infantry Brigade.
To address this, the Army has implemented:
- Restricted phone access: Recruits typically use phones only once a week, helping them adjust to life without constant digital distractions.
- Virtual reality training: Trainees use VR goggles to simulate social situations, such as resolving conflicts in barracks or navigating consent-related scenarios.
Cameron O’Brien, 25, admitted the adjustment has been difficult but worthwhile: “I was probably on my phone way too much before I came here.”
Confronting Sexual Harassment and Assault
Sexual harassment and assault remain serious concerns in the military, with high-profile cases like the 2020 murder of Vanessa Guillén shining a spotlight on the problem. Despite a recent decline in reports, incidents remain pervasive, particularly during basic training.
To combat these issues, Fort Jackson has made consent and boundary education a priority. Drill sergeants don’t hold back when teaching recruits the rules. “You will be kicked out fast for messing with consent,” drill sergeant Tyler Bergman told one class.
These lessons are designed to reshape behavior and reduce the “locker room talk” culture that some soldiers bring into the ranks. “It’s a slow beat of the drum,” Uthlaut said, but the Army hopes to create lasting cultural change.
Adapting Training to Build Resilience
The Army’s shift toward emotional and social training reflects a broader effort to adapt to the realities of modern military life. Feedback from soldiers indicated a need for better preparation to handle stress, conflict, and relationships.
Recruits like 21-year-old Tionna Mack have found the emotional support invaluable. “There were conflicts all the time,” Mack said of her platoon, but her drill sergeant helped her process her feelings.
“I honestly don’t know how to process what I’m feeling,” she once told her sergeant. “He was just like, ‘I just need you to breathe.’”
Looking Forward: The Future of Basic Training
The Army plans to expand its emotional and communication training to more bases and potentially incorporate it into ongoing soldier development programs. This evolution aims to balance combat readiness with interpersonal skills, ensuring soldiers are as effective in their relationships as they are in battle.
As the world changes, so does the Army’s definition of readiness. For recruits like Montenegro Herrera, the emotional challenges of training are as significant as the physical ones. Despite being far from her family, she remains determined: “This is all new to me, but I’m trying, and I think I’m doing pretty good.”
