Boot Camps - boot camp operations

  If one can understand the concept of basic training as it applies to the military, then you will find that the philosophy of the teen boot camp is not much different. For example, military basic training is a course through which one must attend in order to become a member of the armed forces. This is true for the commissioned officer as well as the non-commissioned officer. The two are different with respect to status and rank. Within the echelon of a military command, one can view the officer as one of the CEOs whereas the non-commissioned officer would be the people who listen to the CEO for direction with regard to the mission. It is indeed hard to imagine a struggling youth finding himself in a boot camp situation intensively listening and learning trying to be a contributing member of a team.

  Basic training in the military is a structured course that literally takes a young man or woman and helps that person unleash his or her own potential, but not as a one-man or woman unit, but in terms of the command and the mission. And, unlike boot camps for teens, the training does not stop at the end of basic training. In fact, throughout the career of a serviceperson, training is a continuous, never ending process that instills a sense of pride and "ownership" with regard to the unit. If this were not so, the mission would never mean anything with regard to the individual or the unit. And, if one could extrapolate this concept and apply it to the teen basic training, again, there would be little difference. The only obvious differences would be with respect to the age of the cadets, the mission as well as why the individual is enrolled.

  Alongside the fact that training takes place either in the military or the private sector (with regard to teen boot camps), the military is perhaps the only instance where a person at the age of twenty would be given so many different responsibilities. But, again, to extrapolate that concept, there is a definite parallelism with regard to the military training and the boot camps that are designed for delinquents or teens (even if the teens are enrolled in a teen boot camp not for delinquency but for preparation for a possible career in the military however unlikely). Life on a military installation (otherwise referred to as a base) is very much like a small community, right down to the point where some installations, especially those in the overseas offer theatres, have individual banks and post offices. With regard to the teen boot camps, while there might not be the same types of services, the idea is to take the teen away from the influences of one community and put them into a totally different community. And totally break him or her down and show them that. This concept is extremely similar to the military training stations and bases.

  The very core, however, of training and discipline in basic training is quite similar to what is found on a military installation that is designed to take new recruits and transform them into members of the military. Whether a young teen at the age of 14 or 15, for instance, will be able to handle the constant yelling and screaming "right in the face of those who do not perform well" is a different issue altogether especially considering the behavioral, emotional and mental aspects of a struggling teen in this situation. Whereas a person at the age of 18 or above may be better equipped to handle criticism does not have any indication as to whether a younger, less mature or secure teenage might be able to handle without any difficulty. For the child who is merely having some problems dealing with issues in life that might be considered slightly abnormal at such an age, military training or boot camp might be beneficial, as this type of behavior might not entice the instructors to yell and scream at the individual. However, if the same child is suffering from severe, emotional and identity issues that might entice or attract the input from a training instructor, military school or boot camp might not be the best option; and this would be a great time for the parent(s) to explore other options that are more appropriate for the child's age or problems.

  It is commonly known that the true boot camp will include uniforms, marching in formation as well as a "yes sir," and "no sir" mentality as well as a very structured environment that includes the trainers getting "right in the face of the offender." the dorms are set up with the same system that is often associated with the boot camps in the military, such as the bunk beds, foot lockers and a very strict, no holes barred system of inspections that must be completed without error if the teen is to survive the ordeal, even for a short period of time. Whether a child is able to handle this type of boot camp environment is actually a question that must be considered before a parent puts a struggling teen in the midst of these boot camp instructors and within the environment that does not permit any outside contact for a prescribed period of time. It is clear that teens with behavioral problems that are beyond the scope of these environments should not be considered for these types aggressive of programs.