The results are in... and Forces TV's audience has spoken.
With the Army heavily criticised by a coroner last week over the death of a young recruit who had been subjected to an unofficial 'beasting', we asked your thoughts on the issue.
The term - also known as being 'yakked' or 'thrashed' - is an extreme form of exercise to unofficially discipline a soldier for bad behaviour.
Our question - "Beasting: Outdated and cruel or an effective form of punishment?"
The results:
As shown in the diagram, there was a clear winner. Nearly 78% of the almost 2,000 respondees believe beasting is an effective form of punishment, with 18% arguing that it's outdated and cruel. 4.3%, meanwhile, placed themselves in the 'other' category.
One of the key arguments in favour of this view was that beasting is necessary in order to ready troops for combat. One commenter said:
"It is an important part of the military ethos. It is designed to test soldiers to the limits in the event that they may be captured by enemy troops. It plays a massive part of sifting out those who are suitable for the job or not."
Another echoed this view:
"It's a necessary part of training, I believe, as it improves discipline and will gradually improve the soldiers survival strategy in combat no matter what the punishment is for."
Others drew on their own experiences in support of the punishment.
One said: "Been there done that get over it, it makes you more of a man", while another argued "[It] never did me any harm and actually it made me very fit so it clearly does have its benefits."
Other commenters could see the value of beasting, but were more reserved in their support. One argued:
"Beastings have a time and a place, having said that and in light of what has happened [Private Gavin Williams' death] they should be managed properly to avoid incidents like what happened. Maybe only being carried out by a P.T.I for instance."
Another echoed the view that moderation is key:
"Beasting should only be a form of educational punishment, to install good habits in place of bad ones, however senior staff giving out this punishment should do so with moderation".
One voter stressed the importance of duty of care, meanwhile:
"Recieved my fair share especially in training, normally learned not to repeat the infraction that led to the punishment again. It appears that someone overstepped the mark in this case. Duty of care still counts even to those recieving punishments."
Of the 18% who saw beasting as 'outdated and cruel', there were again some strong words.
Some commenters expressed the view that the punishment has no place in the military any more.
One argued "It's not the 80s any more, you can't be doing that to other human beings", while another said "[the] modern army does not need this illegal punishment". Others pointed to the danger of it becoming bullying:
"'Beasting' and other forms of unofficial, unauthorised and unregulated punishments have no place in today's British Army. They provide continuing opportunities for bullies and worse, and should be eradicated - firm action by the chain of command is essential."
Another echoed these sentiments: "Far too often used by bullies and those on a power trip, never coherently applied."
It's clearly an issue that you and the wider public feel strongly about, and is likely to remain so in future. As ever, keep your eyes on Forces TV, where we'll keep you updated on developments.
More - Beasting: An Uncomfortable Military Tradition
