Nothing excites film audiences more than seeing their favorite characters get pushed to the brink of their physical and mental limits, just to see them return stronger than ever.
It’s no secret that in the military “newbies,” “FNGs,” or “boots” tend to be treated unfairly because of their low rank and inexperience. It happens more than you think. Some call it “playing games,” while others label it as “hazing.”
Some still consider hazing a necessary evil in training as it allows service members a way to earn the respect of their brothers. Typically, this is earned during drinking games (not passing out), or being the PT stud (not falling out) — rarely does it consist of violent acts these days.
But once Hollywood got wind of the concept, they decided to use it as a tool to dehumanize the military genre.
Related: 5 military myths that Hollywood has taught us to believe are true
1. Choke yourself
Stanley Kubrick was a fan of showing as much mental and physical torment as he could possibly pack into 1987’s “Full Metal Jacket.” It’s been said several times that this film was as true to life for Marine boot camp as it got. So you can bet that there has been a recruit or two that has been in a Marine drill instructor deadly grasp.
Poor Pvt. Pyle (WB/Giphy images)
2. Branding
Bodily marking is a traditional way of documenting one’s life journey. Today tattoos are the fan favorite, but sometimes you just don’t have enough ink.
In 2005’s Sam Mendes directed “Jarhead,” Jake Gyllenhaal plays Marine sniper Anthony Swofford who gets a surprise greeting from his fellow brother-in-arms.
F*ck-f*ck games at their best (Uni/Giphy images)
3. Blanket party
Everyone likes to attend a good party in someone else’s honor. Hazing has been attributed to a way of teaching a sh*tbag a valuable lesson the hard way. In the military, when one person screws up, everyone screws up.
Hopefully, you’re not the one sleeping during the party (WB/Giphy images)
4. Code red
We don’t condone waking up anyone in the middle of the night by beating them, but that isn’t to say it hasn’t happened before.
Makes you want to sleep with one eye open (Columbia/Giphy images)
Also read: 5 epic military movie mistakes
5. Hanging in a closet
In 2004’s “Stateside,” Jonathan Tucker plays Mark Deloach, a teen who goes to the Marines just to get the sh*t hazed out of him by his drill instructor played by Val Kilmer.
The bird really was the word (IDP/Giphy images)Can you think of any others? Be sure to comment and let us know.