American Morning
A Soldier's Story: Army recruits tested in gas chamber
Editor's Note: We're tracking three recruits from their final days as civilians through to deployment. It's an unprecedented look inside the life of a soldier. This is part three of the American Morning original series "A Soldier's Story," and don't miss part one and two here.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/12/15/mclain.rifle.art.jpg caption="Army recruit Will McLain is in week three of basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri."]
By Adam Reiss, CNN
It's week three of basic training for Will McLain. He and 193 other new recruits are busy getting through the red stage, physical training also known as PT.
The booming voice of Drill Sergeant Joseph Rix is ever present, "just trying to get them ready to deploy so they have a little bit of a head start more than what we did when we went through basic training," says Rix.
After a quarter of a mile run, Will has time for a drink, while outside a private, who just cannot make it, passes out on the ground. "You've done a total of twenty five push-ups and one lap. Now get up! You did not pass out," says a drill sergeant standing over him. Eventually the other soldiers are ordered to bring him into the barracks and leave him on a bunk to recover.
Later, several soldiers would stumble through the rigorous exercise that has them carrying two forty-pound duffel bags at the same time. It's not easy and Will has trouble lifting them both at the same time. Another angry drill sergeant whispers “encouraging words” in his ear.
Soon they would face a crucial test to see if their training has actually paid off. They must enter a gas chamber filled with tear gas and take off their masks for a period of at least 30 seconds. One soldier can't handle it and rushes out the door. He will be back as they must complete the test before moving on.
McLain and the others tough it out, but the hacking cough and runny nose is overwhelming. "It felt like we were in there for five minutes and you are standing there begging them to open the door, open the door, open the door," says McLain.
It's a boost of confidence for McLain, who has met another goal as well. He has lost ten pounds in just three weeks. McLain also finds out that he excels in hand-to-hand combat, winning two matches.
He is also assigned a battle buddy during this period. Demetrius Daniels from Detroit will be at Will's side every moment of the day. The idea of the battle buddy system is to provide mutual support and assistance, teach teamwork, and develop a sense of responsibility and accountability for fellow soldiers. It also reduces the likelihood and opportunity for sexual harassment, misconduct, and suicide gestures or attempts.
How do they balance each other out? Will says Demetrius is fast and helps him with the physical training aspects of basic training. Demetrius says Will is smart and helps him when he is overwhelmed.
When a fellow soldier is found sleeping in the bunk everyone must pay the price. Drill sergeants call the agonizing exercises that follow “corrective training,” and by the end of it Will is dripping with sweat.
At the end of the first stage Will says, "I try to be independent. I do a lot on my own, but going to boot camp you cannot be like that because it teaches you to use teamwork and look deep inside yourself and realize this is what you really want to do."
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For those of you who think that having ceramic armor and all those nifty things is a luxury should try lugging it around the streets of Baghdad for 15+ hours. I might be wrong but we haven't figured out how to make bullets or water lighter, though I am sure 5.56 was heavier in the days of Nam good thing the majority of vets then were there because of the draft so at least you didn't have to carry the weight of your own decisions, unlike today's volunteers.
Each branch of the Military serves a specific purpose. I am a Viet Nam Era veteran of the Marines. To understand that the deployment of any service man or woman into a war is a tremendous sacrifice that the individual and his family is undertaking for Our country. To me it is commendable and we should all be more thankful for people willing to answer the call to service. It is not the uniform that makes us
soldiers or Americans. It is the Honor of the flag and what it stands for.
America may not be perfect, but there is no place like the U.S.A.
I am the son of a WWii Army vet/pow, the father of a Marine and soon
a soldier, my middle son is at meps taking his preenlistment placment test. My oldest is thinking hard about joining the Army. I just want to thank all past , present and future members of all are armed services, for there sevice and sacrifice. For it is these individuals
that make this country the greatest place on earth.
it may be true that it was tough back then but NOW they dont draft you and how many guys back then was drafted? I bet if given the chance they wouldnt have vol. to enter the service,no they had to be MADE to join so yes,they might have it easier in SOME ways but atleast they want to be there an they want to be a soldier. I am not saying all the ppl back then didnt want to be there but alot of them wouldnt if the gov. hadnt made them.my son fought to get there and hes wanted this since he was 13 an hes will be 18 next month.
Good documentary . I get to Fort Leonard on Jan 11 2010 !
I went through Alpha 35. DS Rix is a good instructor and will definetly prepare them well. Because of that company i was able to achieve my goals with going airborne and losing weight like Mclain as well. He is in very good hands.
If you wana do a documentery on a a soldier do one on a soldier that is deployed to Afghanistan. Basic Training was way to easy.
Hey, Im a private in McLain's company, and that gas chamber sucks, but it was so much fun. Basic training is harsh, and difficult, and we are training for war...but I am having the time of my life there. Ive wanted to be in the military since I was 6, and I am living the dream, and its better than I ever wished. The best part is that we are one big family. Brothers in arms. We have incredible drills sergeants that kick the crap out of us, but they care...because they want us to become the best soldiers we can be, but also to be the best men we could be.
Drill Sgt. Rix is my son and I am very prod of him. He is a great father, husband and son. Joseph has been in the Army since he was 19. He has been on peace keeping missions and to Irac twice. Joseph is a caring man and puts in a lot of hours. He is prod of what he does and we are prod of him and the soldiers he trains, and services with. This is about the soldiers. But like Joseph some of these soldiers have family's mother's, wives, children, grandparents, these people give their loved one up to the Army and they to make big changes in their lives. Let's not forget how many time these people have cried for them or them for thier family. I would like to say THANK YOU! to all soldiers present and past for your service. To the soldiers who trained under Drill Sgt. Rix I pray he has trained you well and to remenber your training it may save your life and as I tell Joseph every time he has to go. Remenber your training, keep your head down, have faith, come home your needed hear, and most of all we love you for what you are and what you are doing for us. To all our soldier's be safe and have a MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR. To those training under Drill Sgt. Rix remenber training starts again after the holidays so enjoy your familys.
I went through Basic at Ft. Leonard Wood in May 2008. I don't know where all these people are coming from telling me that "There's no more yelling" in Basic Training. There was plenty of yelling, plenty of cursing and "In your face" time from the drills. I also have no idea what a stress card is. As for how "easy" it's become, it does vary greatly from company to company, depending on who runs it. But Things like the fighting combat load has actually increased over time. With more tecnology comes more weight. Ourbody armor weighs 20-30 pounds depending on the size and the plate options. Add that to the weight off ammo, a radio, medical equipment, water, and everything else that soldiers must carry, and the weight we fight under can be shown to have not gotten easier at all. Old Vets, I appriciate your service. You've helped this county get to the point we're at now, without you in the fight I might not be where I'm at today. So Please, don't downplay the significance of *MY* service just because you don't feel that things are as difficult as they used to be.
My brothers over there training at that camp, it takes strong men and women to do what they are doing.
I am 36 years old and going to BCT in 5 weeks. I know it will be tough but am thrilled to be given the chance to serve my country. I have the highest respect for all branches and the millions who have given all to protect this nation. This story is another great reason why America is the best nation in the world. Honor and respect for the men and woman who VOLUNTEER to keep this country great. Thank you.
My brother literally just graduated from this fort and the DS that is featured in here was his favortie. DS Rix was a great person! 😀 All of them were. We are very blessed to have had them as our soldier's trainers.
For all of you Marines, Navy, Airforce, Army and which one is better. Get over yourselves and realize you are a UNITED!!!!!! group. There is NO training that is harder than one or the other, and to be quite frank even if there were you would not know as you are ONLY in one of them.
These men that are featured have a great group of DS's to follow!!! God Bless all of you!
I love this video! I have know Drill Sgt. Rix for over 6 years now, he is my best friends husband and a great warrior. He has been deployed several times and became a Drill Sgt a few years back. I saw him working and he and the rest of his Companies Drill Sgt.'s rock =]
Yes basic isn't what it's used be in the old days, but the war has changed too. Maybe the old timers need to realize that =]
COMMON PEOPLE, GET REAL! As a 23yr. Ret. Army Viet Nam Vet, ALL of it, INFANTRY, in all its forms, I am embarrashed in some of these comments. The OLD Army vs the NEW Army is irrelevent! For all of us "old grunts" who sneeked & peeked, and did it well, just think about the technology our soldiers have today. Night vision, thermal, weapons, you name it, which we would have killed for in our time! I would have to agree though that today's Basic Training is NOT as tough as it was and has become much "nicer"! NO yelling, more explaining, "stress cards", being politically aware, being pushed to your mental & physical limits, seem to be things of the past. My son just went through BT. It was cut short 2wks. because there were "school trainees" that had to be returned before school started. What the heck is that? And I would be remiss if I did not mention the Corps! The Marine Corp. has NEVER, to my knowledge changed! You cannot compare Army vs Marine training, they have been true to their commitment throughout time! SEMPER FI!
Soldiers. Glad to see this honorable word back in vogue – not warriors or heros. A few will become heros, but most will not.
Still wonder, however, how good these guys will be at winning hearts and minds. See no evidence they are being equipped for it, but maybe that is where the officers come in.
I love watchin storys about basic. i remember when my husband went through it. its very interesting and it makes me wonder if i could ever do it!!
I live next door to Drill sgt Rix!! he is an awsome soldier and an even better father husband and friend!
i'm tier of hearing how hard it is to be a soldier, i wish that for once you guys take your camaras to Parris Island Marine Corps Boot Camp where real man are born, where real fighters are trained to fight America battles....
i drill sgt rix when i was goin though he wasnt a drill sgt yet but gettin ready to go and i can say wow he has steped it up alot proud of him doin great things for this county
Its interesting to see stuff like this. My little brother is there and wrote me a letter stating that cnn will be there and its good to see what he is going through. Im proud of him and cant wait until he graduates and can officially be called a soilder.
AntiWimpyMilleniants you're an idiot, go back in the basement and play another video game
this is weak. im a navy corpsman with freaking grunts. The navy boot camp is not hard. I'm proud to serve with the nations finest marines. I have been with grunts most of my naval career. i have more respect for marines than soldiers. In country these guys are fat nasty and lazy. This Army boot camp is not hard. send me or one of my marines to army boot camp we would laughing all the way through it. and Thats way the Marines are called the Few the proud. BAMSIC. AND THIS IS THE TRUTH.
I respect my fellow Americans that feel the call to serve in the armed forces. I do not, however, support CNN for not showing another perspective on the personal experiences of trainees and soldiers. I hope to see stories on one of the 7% drop-outs or the vets that get back and have a terrible time coping with PTSD and the repercussions to their lives. War is the worst thing to experience in life and in America it is portrayed as a heroic endeavor. The men and women who serve have given up their souls and lives for our freedoms and it NOT a glorious after party. They are changed forever and have wounds that run deep.
I appreciate CNN doing this piece. I went through bootcamp back in 1996. Alot of it has changed since I went through the military, but the spirit of the military is still there.
I love to see the new generation doing their thing. Yes they do complain alot but that comes along with the way society is today. I do have to tip my hat to them since they did decide to join the military and protect the very freedom that we all enjoy. I am proud to live in the US and proud to have the men and woman who protect our country everyday.
I am no longer in the service, but I still have many friends and family in. God Bless them all.
Wow, I can’t believe the comments from the retired vets here. First of all, I’m a vet with over 20 years of service beginning in 1976 and I went to basic (boot camp) for two different branches. I had a long break in service so I was fortunate enough to serve with many of today’s warriors. Secondly, if you had followed the series, they do not get to keep their creature comforts in basic (i.e. cell phones, Ipods, etc…). Finally, I lot of the gear that they are issued today, actually save lives. I’m all for technology on the battlefield.
So when you make those, back when I was in statements, understand that none of the today’s recruits are drafted and each of them purposely volunteered their service. As with you, America owes them a great deal of gratitude so stop it with your historical lore…
I too served 20 years in the military and yes, this basic training is nothing like what we went through nor does it compare to what they will experience when deployed and engaged in a hostile environment, However, having said that it is also true that life for these Soldiers prior to Basic was nothing like life for us 20 years ago. Technology is their life. Cell Phones, computers, IPODS, video games, etc., are what they know...multitasking, quick learning, diverse and techno savvy is who they are.
We have the technology to win wars with more than just grunt work and they possess the skills to use that technology. Yet only a few still sign their names to the dotted line and accept the fate of possibly giving their lives to defend and serve the people of the United States of America.
If PVT McLain and his fellow trainees leave this experience knowing they must always place the mission first, never quit, never accept defeat, never leave a fallen comrade...and do it with duty, respect, honor, loyalty, integrity, selfless service and morale courage I would still be proud to serve with any of these fine men and women of the Armed Forces.
I love seeing these stories about how times were always harder in their era! Just amagine what your grandparents were saying about Korea and Vietnam when they fought in WWI and WWII. I have a good idea, just show some respect to this new generation of soldier, their smater, faster, and way more advanced from Military's past. God bless the troops.
This is just the begining, this is the easy part, that is why they call it training. When I was in Viet Nam in 1968 in the Infantry we had no cell phones, video games, no bed, no helmets or ceramic armor, we selpt in a hole we dug, carried 80 pounds of gear and ate C rations, every day. War is easier then it used to be due to technological innovations, but it is still difficult, so toughen up guys.
You will be more motivated when the bad guys are shooting at you, instead of a drill sergeant yelling at you. And you will not be able to call a time out, because you are tired or depressed. Remember this is the easy part, training.
Hooo Yah ! From an old retired grunt, spec ops, pilot
I'm tired of hearing how hard military training is with all these new recruits, be it Army, Marine Corps, etc.; especially the CS chamber – I went through the ' Tank ' as part of my Boot Camp as a 1st(freshmen) cadet in NJROTC over 20 yrs. ago at the age of 14! Being a Navy Unit based in the Las Vegas Desert, we did a LOT of cross training with the Air Force, Army, and the Corps, in regards to field first aid, combat/environment survival, FAC training and weapons training; all of which I took with me into Gulf I, as well as my adult life... This new gen of service people are weak and whinyn
Great story. Love to see the men and women who protects us highlited like this vs the spoiled sports and hollywood stars.
I am so happy to see the Army portrayed in a positive light! Thank you for speaking positively about boot camp.