
Continuity mistake: Gunnery Sergeant Hartman addresses the platoon seated on bleachers, and Hartman asks if they know the name Charles Whitman. In the long shot, when Pvt Cowboy raises his hand, there are two recruits seated to Cowboy's right, at the end of the bleacher. It then cuts to a closer shot as Cowboy lowers his hand and stands up, and now there are three recruits to Cowboy's right - Pvt Joker and two other recruits. (00:30:55)
Suggested correction: They sure did punch you. Back in '69, I got punched just like that, and I wasn't the only one to get hit.
That does not address the point - Lee Ermey himself regards Hartman as an inept drill instructor. If he did assault cadets, it was strictly against the rules, and how could he not see that Pyle was having a breakdown?