Answer:
C. 3
Step-by-step explanation:
An independent clause is a group of words or clauses that completes a thought and can stand on its own as a complete meaningful sentence. This means that it needs no other clause or detail to complete it.
The given sentence is a compound sentence which means that the sentence contains independent clauses and is joined by coordinating conjunctions. The coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS- for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) joins the independent clauses to make it into a compound sentence.
And in the given sentence, there are three independent clauses-
1. The new recruits were somewhat shocked by the sergeant's meanness
2. some even complained to the commanding officer
3. nothing changed as a result of these complaints.