A debate over enlisted soldiers' basic physical fitness and military discipline is spreading online. It began after a former female officer turned YouTuber shared on online communities an account of hearing a protest remark from a soldier while she was doing a group run with her platoon in the past.
On the 1st, several online communities posted a video in which YouTuber A, a former female officer, described experiences from her military service. In the video, A mentioned a situation from the past when she was conducting physical training with her platoon members.
A said, "At the time, we ran 5 kilometers, and looking at the platoon members' fitness, there were cases where they ran worse than I did," and added, "During physical training time, I told them to run with me, and then did a group run with the soldiers."
According to A, the conflict occurred after about 3 kilometers into the group run. A sergeant reportedly said to A, "Platoon leader, can't you see the kids are struggling right now?" When A asked back, "What did you just say to me?" the sergeant allegedly replied, "Can't you see? The kids are about to die from exhaustion."
A said the group run was halted to avoid further arguing with the soldiers. A said, "I was so angry. I just ran 10 more kilometers alone and returned."
As the video spread, online reactions pointed to the soldiers' basic fitness and military discipline. Some internet users said, "If a soldier struggles with even a 3-kilometer group run, it's only natural to worry about combat capability," and, "Isn't a soldier openly protesting to the platoon leader an act of insubordination?" On the other hand, there were also opinions that, since the specific circumstances at the time were not confirmed, one should not generalize a discipline issue for all soldiers based solely on a fragmentary personal account.
Under the Military Criminal Act, resisting or disobeying a superior's lawful order can be punished as the crime of insubordination. If such acts are committed as a group, the crime of collective insubordination may apply.