Army tells drill sergeants to stop posting videos of recruits during basic training

Task & Purpose reports on a new Army policy banning drill sergeants from creating social media content featuring trainees during basic training, following investigations into controversial TikTok videos.

The policy update stems from incidents including a drill sergeant posting videos of trainees exercising under a "This Is Ultra MAGA Country" banner. The Army's Center for Initial Military Training emphasizes that soldiers must uphold Army values even on social media platforms, with electronic communication used for hazing or harassment directly undermining dignity and respect principles. The regulation also prohibits drill sergeants from "friending" trainees on social platforms and bans the use of terms like "smoking" for corrective training.

• Army drill sergeants can no longer post social media content including trainees or develop personal relationships through digital platforms
• The policy change follows investigations into politically charged training videos that violated military conduct standards
• New regulations also eliminate requirements for drill sergeants to perform physical exercises alongside trainees during corrective training
• Changes occur amid Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's calls to return to more traditional, rigorous military training methods