Pushed too far

A few days ago, I was running a cool-down lap after a speed workout at the track -- part of my marathon training program -- when several Army ROTC guys arrived for a workout. After some push-ups, sit-ups and stretches, they began circling the track as well. I finished up my cool-down and began to stretch while they kept on with their two-mile run, and I witnessed something I had only seen in exaggerated caricatures in military movies.\nApparently, these guys were supposed to complete two miles within an allotted time, but one of them was falling just a little bit behind pace. The commanding officer started running right behind him, screaming at him to speed up. Some of the choice motivating statements included: "When you're on the battlefield, you won't have the luxury of moseying in-between buildings while bombs go off around you!" "Terrorists and insurgents love slow people like you! You give them an easy target!"\nJust a guess -- but if bombs were going off around him, I bet that his adrenaline levels would be so high that he'd be running at light speed.\nUnfortunately, the motivational screeching did not succeed in speeding this guy up. He finished about 15 seconds too "slow" and, as soon as he finished his last lap, he collapsed and started to throw up.\nDid anyone offer him water? Did anyone ask if he was OK? No. Instead, the leader offered more "encouraging" words. He stood over the collapsed man and yelled some more: "Get that crap out! That's weakness leaving your body. Spit it out!"\nI tried not to gape, but I'm sure I was standing there wide-eyed and open-mouthed. I wanted to scream back: "That's not 'weakness' leaving anyone's body; that's a physical reaction to over-exertion on a hot, humid day! Stop abusing the poor guy!" I contemplated running over with some water and snidely offering the advice: "I'm sure terrorists and insurgents like it when people collapse and vomit, and their bodies stop functioning properly, too." But, I decided it wasn't in my best interest to incur the wrath of someone who didn't seem to have much respect for treating people humanely.\nSurely, there are healthier approaches for pushing someone to the limit -- and for instilling grit and toughness. I realize this questionable tactic might be designed to build "character" and "strength," but does someone's health, well-being and humanity have to be put on the line in order to achieve these results? It's fortunate that "don't ask, don't tell" will forever keep me ignorant of how bad this form of hazing (dare I say, "mild torture?") can get.\nI'll just never understand how degrading someone might make him stronger, how battering someone makes her tougher. From my vantage point, it's psychological abuse that desensitizes people from human relationships -- and diminishes, rather than enriches, society.