All those Army ads are crafted to make young men and women believe they'll undergo a cathartic maturation.
The reality is MUCH different. Granted, many benefit immensely from the administration of discipline and grooming. But...
Well, if we kidnapped an "in the process" young man on his eighteenth birthday and treated him to a different environment for three years, then returned him home, he most likely would have matured (in some fashion or other).
The best intentioned parent living in an economically deprived neighborhood has a very rough time helping his son "grow up" as we would like. Placing the youngster in an environment where he is regularly subjected to positive adult male role models is likely to help.
I think most 18 year-olds can benefit from a change in environment - they have to get away from the family cave to complete the maturation process.
I agree that the Army is taking too much credit for a natural growth process.
Even if the Military had no effect on a young man, his Dad would view him in a different (generally more positive) light when he returned.
der Brucer
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