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Externally, it seems this bond could be explained by: 1. Everyone is together, away from distractions, and unable to leave easily for months on end 2. You are

Externally, it seems this bond could be explained by: 1. Everyone is together, away from distractions, and unable to leave easily for months on end 2. You are working toward shared goals 3. You are friendly toward each other It's a recipe for a strong bond. Another example of this is famous bands. They're constantly traveling for work, together, trying to write more music and become more famous as they go.

SoftTalker 3y ago
I think it's more than that, it's the extreme psychological and physical challenge of going through boot camp together. I have not gone through it but understand it to be beyond anything a "normal" person ever experiences. This bonds people in a way that's closer than ordinary friendship or in many cases closer than even biological brotherhood.
maerF0x0 3y ago
I'd extend the shared goals bit to include difficulty. Physically challenging, life risking, risk of failure etc... I've seen far too many "team bonding" setups fit all 3 of your criteria, but fail dismally to result in bonding.
- bumby 3y ago
  Out of curiosity, what's the context of those team bonding exercises? I'm curious if the failure is due to short duration and knowing you can revert back to your normal mode in a few days. Humans are creatures of habit, after all, and I don't think what I see in most corporate team-bonding exercises is enough to overcome that in most people.
  - maerF0x0 3y ago
    > unable to leave easily for months on end Ah yeah, i think i missed this on first pass. Yes they were typically < 1 week.
bumby 3y ago
>You are friendly toward each other Many civilians are aghast when they see how Marines act toward one another. The constant shit-talking and physical fighting probably wouldn't be described as "friendly" but definitely "brotherly"
- KineticLensman 3y ago
  The way I've heard it described in the British Army is "We will laugh if you fall down but we will help you up"

SoftTalker 3y ago

I think it's more than that, it's the extreme psychological and physical challenge of going through boot camp together. I have not gone through it but understand it to be beyond anything a "normal" person ever experiences. This bonds people in a way that's closer than ordinary friendship or in many cases closer than even biological brotherhood.

maerF0x0 3y ago

I'd extend the shared goals bit to include difficulty. Physically challenging, life risking, risk of failure etc... I've seen far too many "team bonding" setups fit all 3 of your criteria, but fail dismally to result in bonding.

bumby 3y ago
Out of curiosity, what's the context of those team bonding exercises? I'm curious if the failure is due to short duration and knowing you can revert back to your normal mode in a few days. Humans are creatures of habit, after all, and I don't think what I see in most corporate team-bonding exercises is enough to overcome that in most people.
- maerF0x0 3y ago
  > unable to leave easily for months on end Ah yeah, i think i missed this on first pass. Yes they were typically < 1 week.

bumby 3y ago

>You are friendly toward each other Many civilians are aghast when they see how Marines act toward one another. The constant shit-talking and physical fighting probably wouldn't be described as "friendly" but definitely "brotherly"

KineticLensman 3y ago
The way I've heard it described in the British Army is "We will laugh if you fall down but we will help you up"