FORT JACKSON, S.C. – On a gloomy Wednesday last month, soldiers gathered in classrooms, eagerly anticipating their introduction to life in the Army after 10 weeks of training.

This morning’s focus wasn’t on combat skills or weapons training. Instead, they were delving into effective coping mechanisms, appropriate texting habits, and recognizing unhealthy relationships.

At this Army base in Columbia, South Carolina, which trains nearly half of all new U.S. soldiers, the nature of basic training has changed dramatically. Drill sergeants are now less likely to use harsh language or insults, aiming instead to act as mentors to the recruits. Soldiers practice breathing techniques and learn about healthy eating. They participate in yoga sessions and are encouraged to get a full night’s sleep.

The Army is now teaching new soldiers essential social skills and emotional health to address prevalent issues within its ranks, including sexual harassment and poor interpersonal communication among tech-savvy Gen Z recruits.

Tyler Bergman, a drill sergeant, reflects on the past, stating that when he joined in 2013, the sole purpose of training was to prepare individuals “to go to war.”

“That was it. Nothing beyond that,” he mentioned. But “now, the Army is considering a more comprehensive approach.”

Army broadens its understanding of ‘battle readiness’

Amid criticisms from conservative circles regarding what they term “woke” programs, President Donald Trump began a campaign to dismantle federal initiatives on diversity, equity, and inclusion shortly after taking office.

He indicated similar intentions for the Pentagon, appointing Pete Hegseth as the new Defense Secretary. A veteran of the Army National Guard and former Fox News personality, Hegseth has long claimed that the military has shifted focus away from warfare to cater to cultural sensitivities.

In recent times, some critics—Hegseth included—have targeted the Pentagon over concerns regarding “woke” ideologies creeping into the military. They argue that the emphasis on diversity and inclusion has compromised the military’s rigorous standards for strength and fitness.

Standards in question?

However, proponents of the new training methods assert that standards are not declining; rather, the military’s interpretation of readiness has evolved. They argue that a competent soldier must be both an adept communicator and a capable fighter.

“I see this training as integral to combat readiness,” stated Col. David Uthlaut, commander of the 165^th Infantry Brigade at Fort Jackson.

“We can’t focus solely on the technical combat aspects,” he emphasized. “We must also prioritize team cohesion, trust, and communication.”

Jokes from a former drill sergeant

When Joshua Fredericks, a 19-year-old from Manhattan, Kansas, shared details about the new training with his dad, it sparked some laughter from his father, who had once served as a drill sergeant. As a trainee at Fort Jackson, Fredericks noted that his experiences starkly contrast those of his father and previous generations of service members.

He speculated that if his dad had been exposed to mental health training, it might have significantly benefited his military career.

“If he had received this training early on, there’s no doubt he would have performed better,” Fredericks believed.

In June, the Army first introduced communication and emotional awareness training at three military bases. Plans are underway to expand these initiatives across the Army as part of basic training, potentially integrating them into further training for more experienced soldiers, according to Lt. Gen. David Francis, the Army’s deputy commander for training.

At Fort Jackson alone, thousands of soldiers have already completed this innovative training, Uthlaut shared.

Recruits struggling with military life

Internal feedback from the Army indicated that new recruits were often not resilient enough or adequately prepared for the stresses of military life, as explained by Francis. Uthlaut noted issues of “destructive behaviors” observed among soldiers.

Drill sergeants and trainees frequently witness conflicts. When asked how many had encountered fights or disagreements during a recent training, nearly every hand in the room was raised.

Tionna Mack, a 21-year-old from Philadelphia, noted frequent conflicts within her platoon. However, her drill sergeant assisted her in managing her emotions.

She recounted a moment of frustration when she told her drill sergeant, “I honestly can’t process what I’m feeling.”

“He simply said, ‘All I need you to do is breathe,'” she recalled.

Challenges with technology and communication

Almost half of the Army’s active-duty enlisted personnel are aged 25 or younger and are coping with issues related to 21st-century technology. The Army faces challenges in reaching new recruits who may have phone and device addictions, which hinder their ability to communicate face-to-face. At Fort Jackson, trainees typically have phone access only once a week.

“Adjusting has been a significant change for me, but I believe it’s beneficial,” said Cameron O’Brien, 25, from Frederick, Maryland. “Prior to this, I was likely on my phone too much.”

Uthlaut confirmed that many recruits arrive with “some degree of phone addiction” and struggle with interpersonal interactions due to a preference for digital communication.

This issue transcends the Army. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half of adolescents aged 12 to 17 spend over four hours daily on screens, with a quarter of them experiencing anxiety or depression. Last July, former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called for social media platforms to bear warning labels due to research linking them to a mental health crisis among young people.

In response, the Army is introducing its tech-based solutions. A select group of trainees at Fort Jackson are testing virtual reality headsets designed to replicate challenging social interactions.

These goggles provide a realistic 3D environment where soldiers can choose their responses in a choose-your-own-adventure format.

In one scenario, a conflict erupts in the barracks because a soldier is playing music too loudly. The trainees must decide whether to pursue a compromise or escalate the situation. In another, a soldier ends up at home with someone they’ve been flirting with, only to find out that the other person isn’t interested in sex. The soldier can choose to either communicate effectively or react with anger.

As one group of soldiers removed their VR goggles to discuss their experiences, some laughter ensued. One soldier, when asked about his experience, admitted he intentionally selected incorrect responses to see the potential outcomes. The instructor does not impose penalties.

They are not judged for the decisions they take, but are merely asked to share their feelings as a group.

Pentagon Confronts Recent Increase in Military Sexual Assault Cases

Prior to her arrival at Fort Jackson, Gleny Montenegro Herrera, an 18-year-old from Milwaukee, was cautioned by friends and family to be extra cautious about sexual assault. “Just keep away from all people and situations,” was the common advice. “But I can’t,” she replied.

The tragic murder of Vanessa Guillén, a 20-year-old Army soldier at Fort Hood who indicated she had been sexually harassed, alongside a 25% increase in sexual assaults from 2018 to 2021, has compelled the military to face a persistent issue within its ranks. Although reports decreased for the first time in nearly a decade in 2023, one study suggested that the actual incidence of sexual assault may be up to four times higher than what the Pentagon reports.

Army officials are also optimistic that emotionally-focused training, which emphasizes understanding consent, effective communication, and physical boundaries, can address part of the issue.

Incidents of sexual harassment, such as inappropriate touching, still take place. “The continuous occurrence” of these incidents during basic combat training and beyond highlighted the necessity for this course, Uthlaut remarked.

At Fort Jackson, instructors speak directly about sexual consent. “You’ll be dismissed quickly” for violating consent, Bergman warned a class of trainees. When a soldier inquired whether the rules changed if both parties were intoxicated during a sexual engagement, Bergman crossed his arms overhead in an X shape. “No!” he responded emphatically.

“A lot of individuals are accustomed to the typical banter found in guys’ locker rooms,” noted Fredericks, a 19-year-old trainee. Instances of such comments have been escalated through the proper channels by some soldiers in his barracks.

‘I Wanted to Cry Every Day’

New Army recruits express that basic combat training poses both emotional and physical hurdles. For many young trainees, this phase also marks their first experience with adult responsibilities.

“I believed I was ready, then I arrived here, and I felt like crying every single day because I was just missing my family,” shared Cameron O’Brien, 25, from Frederick, Maryland.

Montenegro Herrera enlisted in the Army partly to help her parents, who were deported to Mexico years ago, gain residency status. Enduring Army training while coping with their absence feels “harsh” for her.

“You must be really stable emotionally and clear about your goals and reasons for being here,” she explained. “Having an emotional support system is essential to keep you going and prevent you from quitting.”

“I’m new to all of this,” Montenegro Herrera admitted, becoming emotional. “But I’m trying my best, and I think I’m managing fairly well.”