Netflix's 'Squid Game' and the Military: A Comparison

The hit Netflix show “Squid Game” has become a worldwide phenomenon, captivating viewers with its intense physical and mental challenges. But did you know that the show’s themes of teamwork, strategy, and overcoming fear have much in common with military practices?

Challenges and Teamwork

In “Squid Game,” hundreds of cash-strapped contestants accept an invitation to compete in children’s games for a tempting prize. Inside, they must face a series of grueling tasks that test their strength, endurance, and courage. The stakes are deadly – if they fail to complete the challenge, they will be eliminated from the game.

First and foremost, the emphasis on teamwork and strategy stands out in “Squid Game.” These traits are integral to military operations, where soldiers must rely on each other to complete a mission. Military personnel are trained to work efficiently as a team, communicate effectively, and constantly adapt to changing circumstances. The games in “Squid Game” may seem trivial, but they require a similar approach.

The “Squid Game” demonstrates this in one of the challenges. The contestants must work together to cross a massive bridge, race to the finish line, and beat their opponents. This test requires participants to put aside their personal differences and work as a team to accomplish their goals. The “Squid Game’s” team-building challenge shares similarities with boot camp training, where recruits learn to trust their fellow soldiers and rely on them to overcome obstacles.

Perseverance and Overcoming Fear

Another parallel lies in the concept of overcoming fear. Fear is a natural response when facing potentially life-threatening situations. In the military, soldiers are exposed to various conditions that can trigger fear, such as combat, landing in hostile territory, or performing high-risk operations. Overcoming fear is crucial to military success, allowing soldiers to make rational decisions under pressure. In “Squid Game,” contestants must confront their deepest fears and overcome them to survive. The strategies used in the show can be borrowed by military personnel, from controlled breathing techniques to visualization exercises.

Then, in “Squid Game,” they highlight the importance of mental and physical endurance, which are also vital traits for military personnel. Perseverance is critical in the face of adversity, whether pushing through fatigue during a long deployment or enduring extreme weather conditions. Mental endurance is just as important, allowing soldiers to withstand the mental stress typical of a combat environment. The discipline required to complete the games in “Squid Game” is comparable to that in the military. Training soldiers to maintain their composure in high-stress situations prepares them to perform at their highest level, even under the most challenging circumstances.

“Squid Game” offers insights into the world of military operations. The show’s emphasis on teamwork, strategy, overcoming fear, mental and physical endurance, and discipline are critical to successful military operations. The characteristics displayed by the contestants in Squid Game can inspire military personnel to adopt similar behavior, proving that the lessons learned in the show are applicable in real-world situations.

The “Squid Game” is also heavily laced with military strategy. The contestants must think on their feet and devise a plan of attack to win the competition. In battle, soldiers must develop a battle plan that considers the strengths and weaknesses of their team and their enemy’s. The “Squid Game” scene, where competitors play a game of tug-of-war, parallels military strategy as both require a well-planned and executed strategy to succeed.

Of course, there are some critical differences between the two scenarios – military personnel are trained by professionals while contestants on “Squid Game” are left to fend for themselves; military members often face life-threatening situations while contestants on Squid Game only risk being eliminated from the game; and so on. But despite these differences, both scenarios require participants to push themselves beyond their limits to succeed.

At its core, “Squid Game” is about more than just surviving a dangerous game – it’s about pushing yourself beyond your limits and learning to trust yourself even when everything seems impossible. These same lessons can also be applied to military life – whether it’s learning how to work together as a team or conquering your fears to stay focused on your mission. So next time you watch a “Squid Game” episode or hear stories about military exercises, remember there are more similarities between them than you might think!