Welcome to the Army, Mr. Jones

Army basic training has traditionally been a cross between a prolonged fraternity hazing and a trip through bedlam --eight weeks of abuse and instruction aimed at preparing the recruit for the even worse ordeal of war. Now the system may be changing. Convinced that men can be trained to fight for positive motivation rather than fear. Army brass at Fort Ord, Calif., are experimenting with a basic reform in basic training that could greatly change the armed forces and mark the end of the Sergeant Snorkel drill instructor.

Now being tried out with two battalions of trainees (about 2,500 men), Fort Ord's merit program eliminates the most egregious indignities of the old-style boot camp. Arriving trainees are greeted courteously, not chivvied into their first formation by snarling sergeants. In place of the customary head shaving, they are given a choice of three suggested hair styles. Nor must they tolerate the name-calling and physical threats that have characterized basic training till now. Along with their green fatigues, recruits are issued laminated plastic "merit cards" on which their instructors can punch up to 50 points a week and 80 during the final week of basic to reward them for their performance in inspections, physical-fitness tests, marksmanship and other military skills. The points can be cashed in for privileges; 30 points win a trainee a weekend movie, 80 a Sunday off post, and 150 a weekend pass. Recruits are also represented, along with their commanding officers and noncoms, on a company trainee council that meets every two weeks to hear gripes or suggestions.

Both Major General Phillip Davidson Jr., who helped develop the program, and the Pentagon are pleased with its results so far. Morale in the first three companies trained under the merit system was higher than average. AWOL and sick calls lower. One of the test companies set a Fort Ord record in rifle marksmanship. But many oldtime drill instructors resent the change, which diminishes their authority and forces them to deal more personally with the recruits. They may be forced to go along anyway. The President is hoping to make military service voluntary, and there are likely to be more volunteers for an Army run in a more gentlemanly fashion.

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