Emotional Metaphors, Socialization, and Roles of Drill Sergeants

Abstract

. . . the society exercises a moral pressure over its members, to put their sentiments in harmony with the situation. [Durkheim 1961:445] Drill sergeants in the United States Army play a crucial role in the behavioral and emotional socialization of new soldiers. This is a study of the relationships among drill sergeants' emotional metaphors, their socialization, and their role performance as drill sergeants. It postulates some dynamics by which the transmission and interpretation of emotional metaphors may be adaptive for particular kinds of roles, in this case as junior military leaders. The data are based on ethnographic research at an American Army basic-training post, Fort Michael.2 Thirty-two drill sergeants and their spouses were studied from the time they arrived at the post, attended Drill Sergeant School, and participated in drill sergeant roles during their two-year tours. The sample included eight female drill sergeants and included a representative sample of blacks, whites, and Hispanics.3 In the course of ethnographic research into the effects of drill sergeants' job stress on their family life, it became apparent that the