A service member subjected to this should immediately consult a military attorney. While commanders have the authority to order corrective training to address a specific deficiency, this action should be formally documented on a counseling form like a DA Form 4856. This documentation creates a record of the deficiency and the plan for correction, and it gives the soldier the right to submit a rebuttal. Imposing “corrective training” without any paperwork is an improper, off-the-books action that can easily become a guise for illegal punishment or hazing.
When consulted, the attorney will first advise the soldier to formally request a written counseling statement that explains the specific deficiency the training is meant to correct. This forces the commander to either create a record that can be rebutted or to admit that there is no specific basis for the training. If the “training” is punitive, demeaning, or has no logical connection to a military task, the attorney will identify it as potential hazing or an abuse of authority.
The attorney would then advise the soldier on their options for redress. This could include filing a formal complaint with the Inspector General (IG) about the command’s failure to follow proper counseling procedures and their potential use of illegal punishment. The attorney’s involvement protects the soldier from being subjected to arbitrary, undocumented actions and ensures that any corrective training is legitimate, properly recorded, and serves a valid military purpose rather than being a tool for harassment.