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The ultimate Interactive Basic Training Workbook : what you Must Know to Survive and Thrive in Today's Boot Camp

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Sergeant Michael Volkin has done it again with The Ultimate Interactive Basic Training Workbook! After hearing the same request from literally hundreds of new recruits and veteran soldiers, he has developed a dynamic follow-up to complement and enhance his best-selling The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook (Savas Beatie, 2005).

The Ultimate Interactive Basic Training Workbook is a comprehensive interactive guide crafted especially for today’s computer-savvy recruit (any branch, male or female). When used together with Volkin’s original guidebook, the Workbook provides every recruit with the inside knowledge of basic training he/she needs to not only survive, but thrive in the military.

This remarkable cutting-edge book includes interactive activities, multiple choice and true/false questions, short answer, word association games, and flash cards you cut out and use to enhance memory and recall. Everyone who purchases this title will be allowed entry into the special “Workbook” section of Sergeant Volkin’s dynamic website, where they will find additional in-depth answers and tips for every question asked in the book—and much more! Audio and video graphic icons placed throughout the Workbook let readers know additional information is available on Sergeant Volkin’s website.

The Workbook also includes a complete exercise program designed to turn civilians into “military-fit” recruits before they enter basic training. Is Volkin’s physical training program really indispensable? Absolutely! This workbook walks every reader through a comprehensive preparatory fitness program. As any recruit who has passed through basic training will tell you, there is a giant difference between "civilian fit" and "military fit." Sergeant Volkin’s book has the charts, tables, photos, and graphs you need every step of the way to get yourself "military fit" and ready for boot camp.

Knowledge is power, and stepping off the bus and into boot camp armed with everything you need to know will give you an enormous advantage over most of the other recruits.

The Ultimate Interactive Basic Training Workbook was written by a soldier for men and women who want to become soldiers . . . exceptional soldiers. No one should enter boot camp without having read and reread Sergeant Volkin’s indispensable books.

Sergeant Michael Volkin is a U.S. Army veteran. He served in Operation Enduring/Iraqi Freedom as a Chemical Operations Specialist and received an Army Commendation Medal for his efforts and for the fitness programs he designed to help his fellow soldiers. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Science from Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas and also a Real Estate Brokers Degree.

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First published June 1, 2005

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Profile Image for cyd⭐️.
299 reviews34 followers
October 28, 2025
i’m very happy i read this! i got a lot of good advice! :)
and the writing was very good and clear!
Although i did find a lot of this to be outdated..

but I will most definitely reread this when it's time for me to actually join the army!

(4/5)⭐️🪖
Profile Image for Deb.
70 reviews11 followers
January 24, 2008
My eldest son leaves for Basic Training in 6 days. I bought this book for him, but read it through before giving it to him so I could better understand what he'll be facing. It was easy to read and I finished it in less than two hours.

The author has included a lot of information that will, I hope, be helpful to any new recruit, such as what NEVER to say to your drill sergeant, how to eat like an animal so you won't go to bed hungry (my son has been practicing this for years!), vital things to bring with you, and more. It contains a section on rank and insignia and the proper terms of address for various ranks.
5 reviews
October 2, 2018
Helpful Tips

I will update review after I go to basic. The information he gives is really good, I've heard some of it, but most is completely new for me. He zones in on areas that you can prepare for mentally and physically. For example he covers how to salute, ranks, how to talk/act, etc. He also extensively goes into a fitness training plan. In addition, he walks through the weeks one by one and what to expect in each.
Lots of the first part of the book was about fitness, it is probably good but my recruiters had already given me a bunch of help on a plan. Also there is an official military app with the actual drills that I think is probably more helpful then this book.
He also goes through what to expect with actual stories from different people. This I think is going to be very useful for mentally preparing.
As it seems like it is one of the only books with this much depth, I would highly recommend for someone who likes too be prepared.
Profile Image for Amanda  up North.
981 reviews31 followers
Read
July 17, 2022
Reading in 2022, I found several things outdated, nolonger accurate.
Specific information is mainly for Army's branch of service.
Still, there's value to be found at the core of this - which is the emphasis on physical and mental preparedness.
Multiple typos.
58 reviews
November 26, 2023
Very Helpful

This book helped a lot in my preparation for basic training, although there is nothing that can completely prepare you for the experience.
Profile Image for Hans.
860 reviews358 followers
March 17, 2013
This book was alright. It had some useful tips but felt like the author didn't have a lot to say and so filled it with pictures and charts that are easily found on the internet. The chapters jump around from topic to topic and lack a more coherent flow. Good but not great.

I would recommend "63 Days and a Wake Up" over this one. It has much better tips and descriptions.
Profile Image for Catherine.
57 reviews
November 7, 2021
Great field guide. Found it interesting to study what new recruits go through at Basic. I'm not joining the military, but I'm very interested in learning military-related concepts and I have so much respect for the defenders of our incredible country, the United States of America, and even more respect after reading this book.
21 reviews
June 27, 2015
Very helpful but it needs an update after seven years.
Profile Image for Kaitlyn.
50 reviews3 followers
December 3, 2016
It is difficult to say just how helpful this book is yet, though I definitely will be taking some of its tips with me when I ship out next summer.
Profile Image for Alysha Minns.
1 review
January 10, 2015
I haven't read it cause I don't know how will someone tell me how I can read it thank you
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews

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