Of coarse that is an extremely over simplified example, but none the less thats what it is.

HOORAH

When one thinks of the word, brainwahing, its implications, at least to me are negative.  It is operant conditioning.  They are conditioning one for the most devestaing circumstances, for in war there is no time to think, one must react, muscle memory.  Individuals are conditioned in basic to do just that, for when the bullets and bombs come a flyin, when hell breaks loose, there is no time to think, they just want you to do the right thing, that; a) will save your life b) complete the task at hand.  But brainwashing?  No, never.  Operant conditioning is based on free will, one chooses to make the correct choice, an example; hit the bulls eye, get rewarded, misbehave, or fuck around and get repremanded, these are choices that one makes consciously, knowing the reward/consequence of his actions.  He does what he his told because he wants to be a marine, he chooses that path, that life.  Brainwashing is more classical conditioning which is involuntary, one has no choice in this matter, for instance, when feeding your dog you whistle for him to come, then you give him food, eventually upon hearing the whistle he will begin to salivate, for he knows food is coming, this is classical conditioning/brainwashing.  Now when the dog hears the whistle he will salivate, regardless of if food follows.  He has been conditioned/brainwashed to do so.