Army Sergeant Majors being urged to stop shouting at sensitive troops and instead replicate one famous leader
Rather than barking orders like in war film Full Metal Jacket, they are encouraged to be more like mild-mannered David Beckham.
1
Windsor Davies as Sergeant Major Williams in It Ain't Half Hot Mum
Credit: Rex
Regimental Sergeant Majors have traditionally been feared as they are responsible for enforcing Army discipline.
But Warrant Officer 1st Class Matt Howarth, head of the Army's Non-Commissioned Officers Academy, told Soldier Magazine: 'There are people who believe the drill sergeant in Full Metal Jacket is what we're like.
'But the era when people shouted and screamed is long gone — for me, the picture of a good leader is more like David Beckham who never seemed to raise his voice.'
In 1987 film
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Similarly, in 1970s
By contrast, former
But WO1 Ciar Crow reckoned: 'You'd need to convince me that Beckham is the ideal model.
'My assumption is that he is a good leader but I'm not sure he has 'a good telling off' in him.
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'People need to know Hartman is in you even if he doesn't often appear.
'It's no good if all you do is shout, though. My style is more of the disappointed dad.'
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