Army officials have urged Sergeant Majors to stop shouting at junior soldiers and be more like David Beckham.
Instead, they have been encouraged to speak to the sensitive recruits in a more gentle tone – like the football legend.
Diplomacy, tact and a willingness to listen are now valued over the ability to frighten fresh recruits and is more important for them to ear the respect of those serving with them, say those in charge of teaching non-commissioned officers.
Regimental Sergeant Majors (RSMs) have typically always been perceived as intimidating due to their role in enforcing 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.’
He added the ideal Sergeant should be more like former England footballer David Beckham – who hardly lost his temper.
‘For me, the picture of a good leader is more like former England footballer David Beckham, who never seemed to raise his voice, was always approachable and who learned from his mistakes,’ he said.
Woke army officials have urged Sergeant Majors to stop shouting at junior soldiers. In 1970s It Ain’t Half Hot Mum, Windsor Davies (pictured) was best known as the splenetic, bawling Sergeant Major Williams
Instead, they have been encouraged to speak to the sensitive recruits in a more gentle tone – like David Beckham
The role of an RSM has changed vastly since he joined in 1999, as they are more approachable to the soldiers they are responsible for, says Warrant Officer Ciar Crow.
Although he was less hooked by the David Beckham strategy.
‘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,’ he said, according to The Sun.
Rather, Crowe’s discipline style is that of a ‘disappointed dad’, and says he only ever raised his voice once in his last role as a squadron sergeant major.
In 1970s It Ain’t Half Hot Mum, Windsor Davies was best known as the splenetic, bawling Sergeant Major Williams.
And in the 1987 Vietnam war film Full Metal Jacket, Gunnery Sergeant Hartman created an environment fraught with fear for those under him.
The British Army were contacted for comment.
