I think what you gents are referring to is a sort of military reductionism, i.e. training for the worst case scenario. Today this takes the form of training with both the map&compass and GPS...training with the optics but making sure to be adept at iron sights as well...martial arts in case ammo runs out etc etc. Us Americans get a bad rap for relying too much on technology but that is merely because we've taken a lesson or two from the Germans. Rommel used to say: 'The bravest men are nothing without guns, the biggest guns are worthless without ammunition and both are useless unless they are propelled by something into position where they can be of any use.'
I just dont see how circus acts like jumping through a fiery hoop belong in modern military practice.