Conditioning Foucault Style

I find this text hard to understand and follow. I believe what is being said is how humans are conditioned to do certain actions. He gives the example of the soldier being able to hold himself as a solider and be respected. I think the point of this is to explain how people react when they are given a job or put in an environment. If a soldier is thrust into battle he is going to figure out how to use his gun out of survival. Soldiers were taught to march and act orderly, a form of conditioning. By giving each person a job the whole functioned better. This is kind of different than today because of the fact that soldiers are not held to the same standards. Marching is a less important skill to have on today's battlefields, weapons have changed, and the stigma of being a soldier have changed. Soldiers are no longer looked at as rare public heroes until they are killed in action, which is a shame. They do not go everywhere in uniform, and they don't see being a soldier as a glory filled position, it is a job.

*4/14/10- After more thought and consideration from class I understand better. The point is about conditioning of humans and how order dictates behavior. I still do not think this is as strict of a factor today compared to a hundred, even fifty, years ago. Soldiers are drilled hard core but they have to be much more diversified today. Current battle fields are not about lining up and shooting, they are about strategy, technology, skill, and improving positions with the least amount of exposure. Soldiers have to be trained in communications and most do not even see an actual battle field. While I understand the concept of discipline and the example I think Foucault needs to (if he is still around) address modern ways of discipline, like the teaching of technology.