The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook: Tips, Tricks, and Tactics for Surviving Boot Camp by Volkin, Michael (April 1, 2007) Paperback 2nd

by Michael Volkin

Excellent Book

Genres: Military Fiction, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published June 1, 2005

Reviews

[cyd⭐️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

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Although i did find a lot of this to be outdated..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)⭐️🪖

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Klassen family · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Amanda up North]

Reading in 2022, I found several things outdated, nolonger accurate.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.

[Robert Castellano · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Hans · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful but it needs an update after seven years.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Alysha Minns · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read it cause I don't know how will someone tell me how I can read it thank you