Snape as A-hole Drill Sargeant [was: Re: Harry, Snape,Occlumency]

[nkafkafi]

No: HPFGUIDX 94609

> "Silverthorne" (Anne) said:
> > However, for Military trained people the ability to remain
> > calm and rational no matter *what* Mr Asshole Seargant is 
> > screaming at you is one of the primary foci of training. Why? 
> > Because later, when you're stuck in a fox hole with bombs going 
off 
> > right over your head, a bleeding gut wound, and the best buddy 
you 
> > knew since high school laying right next to you with his guts 
> > hanging out, you're still going to have to be able to function and
> > *think* in order to survive where you're at. Emotional reaction 
> > won't cut it. Neither will a passive attitude. <snip>

> 
> Siriusly Snapey Susan:
> Anne, you have done an *excellent* job of explaining this, and I 
have 
> no doubt that you are right about why Asshole Drill Sergeants 
behave 
> as they do.  
> <snip>

Neri:
Speaking as someone who had several "asshole" drill sergeants, my 
personal opinion is that this method of training is extremely 
counterproductive, and the fact that armies around the world keep 
using it just goes to show that armies are extremely conservative 
institutions who would rather use an ineffective method of training 
than break a sacred tradition. The main objective of the asshole 
sergeant is to punish his poor trainees for the humiliations he had 
suffered from his own asshole sergeant at the time. I was sincerely 
hoping that the WW has managed to avoid this ugly muggle tradition, 
as it seems to have managed avoiding male chauvinism.

It is definitely true that a soldier should train performing his role 
under extreme pressure, but only after he had mastered it. Learning 
any new skill under this kind of pressure is next to impossible.

Although this is probably OT, I simply must mention here that the 
best commander I ever had was my drill sergeant during basic 
training. He was down right scary. We all called him "The Nazi" 
behind his back and he knew it; in fact he cultivated this façade. It 
took us the whole three months to realize what a great and hilarious 
person he was behind this facade. While being extremely frightening, 
he never humiliated any of us in front of the others, nor alone for 
that matter. He is my living proof that it is possible to be a great 
drill sergeant without being an "asshole" drill sergeant.

Neri