drill instructor

In recent years, experts ranging from sports psychologists to military drill instructors have quietly stopped using the term, saying it reinforces a harsh self-image that pushes people to ignore pain and causes emotional breakdowns.

“He was a great recruit,” said his former drill instructor, Victor Rodriguez.

Circling them, the drill instructor barks orders, “Hit her! Punch her! DO something!”

He said his drill instructors “went into it with open minds” and “treated me no different than the other recruits.”

But jurors found that Sergeant Smiley was guilty of one charge — violation of a general order that forbids drill instructors from calling recruits names, Mr. Vokey said.