New US Army Basic Training: More ‘Healthy Fear’ and Less Studying

The US Secretary of War has described what the new basic training for recruits will be like: it should be “scary, tough, and disciplined.” At the same time, the number of hours spent in classrooms is being reduced.

This was reported by New Republic with reference to a speech by US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

Speaking at a meeting of hundreds of US military officials, Pete Hegseth explained that he wants to change training standards to improve retention.

To do this, he said, it will be necessary to radically reduce the ridiculous number of mandatory training sessions that individual soldiers and units must complete.

“We’ve already ended the most egregious, now we’re giving you back real time. Less Powerpoint briefings, and fewer online courses. More time in the motor pool, and more time on the range,” Hegseth said.

Currently, mandatory army training requires students to complete virtual courses on countering human trafficking and terrorism, threat awareness, information security, and cyber hygiene.

The US Army has already reduced its mandatory training standards in April 2025. Back then, the study of military law and the soldier’s code of conduct was made optional for officers. The US Secretary of War called it “politically correct rules of engagement.”

“Basic training is being restored to what it should be: scary, tough, and disciplined. We’re empowering drill sergeants to instill healthy fear in new recruits, ensuring future war fighters are forged. Yes, they can shark attack, they can toss bunks, they can swear, and yes they can put their hands on recruits. This does not mean they can be reckless, or violate the law, but they can use tried and true methods to motivate the troops, to make them the warriors they need to be,” Hegseth said.

Shark attack is an informal term for the training practice in the US Army in which drill sergeants ‘attack’ and yell at recruits to establish dominance on their first day of service.

“The tougher and the higher the standards in our units, the higher the retention rates in those units. Warriors want to be challenged, troops want to be tested. When you don’t train and you don’t maintain, you demoralize,” the Secretary of War said.

As a reminder, the US Department of War recently announced the possibility of recalling Senator Mark Kelly, a former Navy captain, to active duty for a court martial.

The reason was his words in a video message on November 18, where he and five other lawmakers called on the military to refuse to obey ‘illegal orders.’ They emphasized that military personnel have the right to refuse to obey orders that contradict the law or the Constitution.