How could people be fine with the structure in armies?

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The whole "sir, sir sir" - at the very least, annoying. Then there's that lining up thing and marching... I mean, how could people subject themselves to such ridicule? It's like being a complete puppet! (Not even metaphorically.)

Is any of this even proven to make armies more efficient, or what? (Surely, armies seek efficiency, otherwise they're soon defeated by other armies in the middle of a 'sir parade'...)

Needless to say, besides risking one's own life, this kind of nonsense is the main reason I'm thoroughly put off by any remote prospect of ever joining the army.

(Note: this might be my anti-authoritarianism coming through, as I never wanted to address anyone at school by their titles, either. I just simply think it's stupid though, overall - might change my mind on that if it's scientifically found to increase efficiency.)

Most "normal people" like to be led.

Discipline over the tiniest things, drill (the marching, shouting etc that you see), respect for authority, attention to detail and looking after equipment is absolutely necessary within the army because soldiers need to be able to take orders without question. Squaddies don't know what's going on when on operations. Only those higher up the chain know, and it's not always safe or possible for those actually on the ground to know the purpose of an operation or what's going to happen next. Training has to be tough and there needs to be respect for authority because without it, soldiers wouldn't do as they're told. If someone's telling you to do something within the army it's so that you don't get shot, or so others don't get killed. It's because those higher up than you are your eyes and ears.

Within the first couple of weeks of training for the army, you're basted by the officers. Every single little thing is scrutinised but it's all for a reason. Lack of attention to detail out in the field could mean not noticing an IED. Failure to look after your equipment down to the finest detail could mean your rifle jams at a crucial moment.
Drill teaches soldiers to work as a team. You learn to trust the man next to you, you learn how he moves, how to move as one with everyone else. You're ridiculed in training because it breaks you down and then builds you up, with the men you've trained with, so that you develop a bond which means you'd gladly risk your life to protect your friends.

Some people could never take being shouted at, but most soldiers know that it's for a purpose. It's all psychological. And you'd soon get used to it.

Navy training was similar when I went through. The structure of the day was such that I quickly got used to it. The yelling and physical training were just a little more rigorous than what my father and ex-wife used to put me through.

Actually, I kinda miss it.

I think I would enjoy the routine and discipline side of it, despite being accustomed to home comforts there is a side of me that craves a simple life. I definitely would not like the physical training or being cannon fodder in some war for corporate interests. I think I would be more at home in a buddhist monastery.

I don't know how people can stand it. If it were me I'd feel bullied and abused and have constant panic attacks and would just physically and mentally shut down and be unable to function.

Military bullying and abuse is nothing compared to what I've received as a civilian. I think that those high school bullies were much, much worse.

And some of us just like the steady pay and free college.

I think I would too. I would screw up things like marching, be yelled and by the drill sergent nad just shut down. Or I would go crazy for not having my own space. And I would be no good on the battlefield. I am so glad I don't have to go into the army.

I enjoyed ROTC. I didn't feel put down in any way because of it. Yes, we did have to follow instructions and address our teachers in certain ways, and yes they sometimes yelled at us, but I knew it was because of the type of class it was. I knew that when the teacher yelled at me he wasn't mad at me or thought I was scum, he just wanted to show me how important it was that I learn what he was teaching exactly like he was teaching it.

They tear you down and build you back up the way they want you to be in the military. They do that so it's your reflex to obey exactly what you are told, when you are told, and the way you are told, even if your own common sense says "run the other way". That's because obeying orders can save your life, their life or somebody elses life in some situations.

Read about the history of warfare and you will understand why.

I imagine that it's not as bad as it seems, since the yelling etc. is expected and it's happening to everyone else at the same time.

It being expected and happening to everyone else wouldn't make it any better for me.

I even felt uncomfortable and upset seeing someone getting yelled at on some fitness reality show. Getting yelled at like that just makes me want to get away and not listen to anything they say.

People who have been bullied a lot or abused may have more trouble with this than the average person. I was bullied a lot as a kid and I never got over it.

I think a lot of people just tune it out, or approach it with the perspective of "It's not personal."

Unlike bullying, which is personal, the drill master ultimately wants to make you a good solider and give you the skills to be successful.

I'm not trying to get political here - or start an argument - but it's just the nature of government militaries.

The basic, underlying premise of governmental militaries is that one must have unquestioning obediance for one's officers and government. (That's the reason why desertion is a crime. In other words, if it wasn't for this, troops could walk out - or "quit," in the vernacular of the private-sector - if they found a war immoral, unethical, or just didn't want to go. Now, that's not to say there might not be repurcussions like losing pay and/or benefits, being looked down by some in society, etc.) As a result of this, they need to first "break down" and then "build up" the soldiers during training.

Again, not trying to start an argument or be political. I'm just saying why I see all of the yelling and structure in the military existing.

It's true. Soldiers have to obey orders and they may not understand these orders. Sometimes they can't.

For Example: If we are going to meet a spy, I can't tell every solider about it because if one gets captured, they could end up talking and blowing everything.