panthers fighting

:applause: :applause: :applause: WELL SAID!!!!

I've never heard anyone talk about going through a hazing experience and it increasing their respect for the person doing the hazing. Or heard of it making them want to support those hazing them. I understand, it is important, at least in the military (I'm not sure if I buy it regarding a sports team) for their to be a pecking order, or more importantly, an unquestioned heirarchy/chain of command. The lower persons must accept that they can rely on and trust the actions and instructions of the higher up persons, without question. However, implicit in that relationship is an "I've got your back" from the higher ups directed towards the lower staff.

What makes a strong "band of brothers" is knowing that the members of the band can trust their leader(s) to lead them towards accomplishing their goal/getting the job done effectively, while also looking out for the safety/well-being of all team members (not carelessly risking life, not leaving someone behind if at all possible, etc.) I've worked with and talked to alot of Vietnam-era Vets, and the ones that have more healthily dealt with their war experience had strong leadership they could depend on and trust with their lives. Interestingly, a majority of these guys talked about the Bible passage where Jesus said there is no greater love than that a man lay down his life for his friends. They talked about how they would willingly risk their lives for their Sargeant (for most of them it was their Sargeant), and they knew he would do the same for them.

On the other hand, they did talk about very clear expectations from the leadership, and if the leader told them to do something, it was to be done, period. There was the expectation that you took care of your assignment, no matter what it took. But, for the guys who seem to have had healthier experiences, it was always in combination with a strong sense of trust and care.

I've also talked to Vietnam Vets who did not have trust in their squads. I remember one guy in particular, served in 70'-71', who talked about horrible division within is group, of blacks versus whites, of people actually shooting one another out on patrol when no one else was looking. He felt it started with their Lieut. and their Sargeant, who were, in his words, "selfish-don't-give-a-damn, son-of-bitches."

I say all that to say this: It's okay if Buck and some of the vets want to engage in some teasing and light hazing of the rookies. It's actually important for Buck and the vets to say to the younger guys: "This is the NFL! I want your best, and 20% more!" or something to that effect. It's also critical for Buck and the vets to cultivate a sense of team with the new guys, to let them know that not only are they to give the vets their very best, but that the vets are going to do the same thing for the new guys.

Perhaps a good example in the NFL is Ray Lewis and the Baltimore Ravens. Ray Lewis can ride the young guys on that team pretty hard, pushing them and pushing them a bit more. But it's my perception that he really cultivates a relationship with each of them, taking them under his wing. He shares his knowledge and experience with them to make them better players, for their mutual benefit, or more importantly for the benefit of the team. He's intense. He'll yell and get in their face. But he also praises them and suports them.

 

:thumbup: :applause: :xyzthumbs

 

whenever i got hazed it tought me to shut up and listen to the kid kicking my ass, becasue i knew he was older, probley better and more experienced, same case here, it teaches this guy that he has aplace, that there is a pecking order that he has to follow, i hope the whole team wears him out for going after a captain

 

maybe

Maybe Strong lost to Buck in a paper basketball game and didn't get Buck his shoes.

 

The vast difference of opinion on this subject is interesting. The movie "A Few Good Men" was about a hazing incident that went wrong. I wonder if it was so popular because people seem to have strong opinions on the subject.