1) Canada went through a similar series of scandals in the 90s. With public opinion of the military at an all time low, with some soldiers being attacked in public, the order went out to not wear uniforms in public. A generation of soldiers drove to work in civilian clothing to then don uniforms once out of public gaze. That time is over but many still feel uncomfortable in public.

2) Enough with the reality TV look at boot camps. Basic training is like 1% of the military. It's a bit of a joke, something that everyone has to do but nobody takes too seriously once over with. You have to pass, but much like highschool, once you graduate nobody really cares whether you did well or barely squeaked through. Trade training is what counts.