I did basic and AIT at Polk, 5/67 - 9/67. We trained hard in basic but I never saw a drill sergeant hit anyone the whole time I was there. I guess Tigerland was different. I never went in there but could here training going on at night when we marched by it.
A fellow posted about being in TET. My Basic company commander, Bob Keats, was a west point grad and a decent fellow. He left for Nam in mid-67 and was killed in Feb 68 during Tet. As far as I can tell from research, no one in my Basic group, cadre or trainee, was killed other than the CO.