“All trainees are reminded: drink 1/2 to 3/4 canteen per hour, not to exceed 12 canteens per day. You will drink 3 non-caffeinated, non carbonated beverages with each and every meal.”
Is what was recited daily when I was in basic training. And yeah, heat stroke is a big issue. I don’t think you can blame the instructors really; everyone knows someone that says water tastes bad or whatever. All the instructors know is that everyone better be drinking their water.
I’ve been doing it for about two years now and I think it’s pretty incredible. Consistently having a third day off can do wonders; commute only 4 times a week, your third day off is a weekday so basically always have a great day to go shopping, appointments, etc while everyone else is at work. I don’t think I could ever go back to 5 8’s. The only thing better would be 4 8’s