Could the U.S. Army’s basic training soon roar back to its hard-hitting roots with the return of the infamous "shark attack"?
According to Fox News, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is seriously considering reinstating this aggressive drill sergeant tactic, alongside other tough practices like "bay tossing," as part of a push to rebuild a warrior mindset and elevate military standards.
The "shark attack," for those unfamiliar, is a jarring initiation where multiple drill sergeants swarm new trainees, shouting directly in their faces to simulate high-stress scenarios. It’s a method long used to jolt civilians into military life. Supporters argue it preps recruits for the chaos of battle, forging resilience from day one.
This intense practice was a staple of Army basic training for decades until it began fading out in recent years. By 2020, the Army had largely shelved it, opting for a softer approach.
Enter the "First 100 Yards," a structured exercise introduced as a replacement to foster teamwork and camaraderie under stress. The Army’s Center for Initial Military Training described it on social media as a transformative first step, honoring the legacy of closing the final stretch in combat.
But let’s be frank—calling it transformative doesn’t mask that it’s a gentler handshake compared to the raw shock of a "shark attack." Senior leaders at Fort Benning’s Army Infantry School insisted this wasn’t about lowering standards, yet many traditionalists see it as part of a broader cultural shift away from grit.
Hegseth isn’t buying the progressive pivot, emphasizing a return to foundational toughness. "It starts at basic training," he declared, signaling a no-nonsense approach to restoring discipline. His vision? Drill sergeants wield "knife hands" to shape recruits into formidable warriors.
"We are going back to basics," Hegseth affirmed, touting early signs of success in this hardline stance. It’s a clear jab at what some view as an overcorrected, overly sensitive training model.
Spokesperson Kingsley Wilson doubled down, confirming Hegseth’s excitement to overhaul basic training standards. "Shark attacks are going to be something that he is looking at reinstating," Wilson noted, framing it as essential to crafting strong warfighters.
Alongside the "shark attack," Hegseth is revisiting "bay tossing," where drill sergeants flip bunks and scatter barracks items, forcing trainees to restore order. It’s another old-school tactic meant to instill discipline through controlled chaos. He called both practices integral to the crucible of military forging.
Yet, not everyone’s on board with "bay tossing"—a July 31 memo from Col. Christopher J.C. Hallows of the 197th Infantry Brigade banned it outright. "Drill sergeants will not ‘toss’ the bay," Hallows ordered, prohibiting any damage to trainees’ gear as corrective action.
Curiously, Col. Hallows reversed this ban in a subsequent memo on a Sunday, though specifics remain unclear. It’s a flip-flop that hints at the internal tug-of-war over how far to push recruits in today’s Army.
Hegseth frames these reversals as a restoration, not an overreach, recalling the anxiety and challenge recruits historically faced. "You were going to be forged," he said, describing the stress of being surrounded by sergeants as a necessary trial. It’s a compelling argument for those who believe adversity builds strength.
Still, there’s a line between toughening up and breaking down, and the Army must tread it carefully. Reinstating these methods could reignite debate over whether they prepare soldiers or simply intimidate them. Hegseth’s challenge is ensuring this return to rigor doesn’t alienate a new generation of recruits while still honoring the warrior ethos.
