[Stagger_Lee]

The interviews with the veterans are very moving. They make the series.

I'd read the book before seeing the series. From what I recall, although Sobel was initially regarded as a jerk by the unit, with excessive drills and training and an over the top attitude to orders being followed without delay and without question. The intense, seemingly pointless physical training and a refusal to fraternise with the troops.

The unit later realised that the discipline that was instilled, the unquestioning belief in the command and the endurance & fitness helped them survive as a unit and perform as well as they did. This was achieved without Sobel being an obvious "crazy drill sergeant" type or without the need for the motivation for his demands and behaviour being disclosed - this would have affected the result.