In keeping with military protocol, I will give you the Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF). Boot camp—or basic training—is hard work. It takes focus, commitment, energy, physical stamina, mental agility, and willpower to succeed. The events and activities you will accomplish during basic training will reveal your true inner strength. Movies, television, and word of mouth have created an aura of suspense, mystery, apprehension, and even terror about what military life is like during those initial weeks in the service. What many recruits do not know is that the best way to ensure your success is by reading, studying, and following the advice contained in Sergeant Michael Volkin’s book The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook.
Volkin heard the call to arms in the aftermath of 9/11, when the college graduate with a Master’s Degree in science decided to enlist to defend his country. Once he began the rigors of basic training, he realized that he could have prepared for much of what he was forced to endure had he known in advance what would be expected of him during basic training. During his year in Iraq, he collected information from other recent recruits, and when he returned home, reduced hundreds of pages of notes into a simple, step-by-step guide to assist every young recruit, in any branch of service, on how to prepare and train for their upcoming basic training experience.
In 2006, I assumed command of Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix V in Kabul, Afghanistan with a mission of training 90,000 members of the Afghan National Army and Police Force. The command included over 7,000 personnel from the US Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines, along with soldiers from thirteen other countries. We conducted training in over 350 different locations and my experience reinforced on a daily basis the universal application of the information found in Volkin’s helpful book.
Pay attention to Sergeant Volkin’s instructions. He devotes a substantial amount of attention to physical fitness, and he is absolutely right: being fit will help you become a successful soldier. Volkin stresses the difference between “civilian” fit and “military” fit, and his book includes a step-by-step process for the transition to the latter—before you set foot in basic training. He also breaks down what will happen there, so there should be few surprises. Knowing what to expect, when to expect it, and how to master it before arriving at basic training is your key to success.
The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook will alleviate at least some of your fears, point you in the right direction, and give you peace of mind as you prepare for one of the great challenges of your life. When you graduate from basic training, the pride of accomplishment and confidence you will feel will stay with you for the rest of your days.
Good luck, and thank you in advance for making the decision to serve a cause greater than yourself—Your Country.
Brigadier General Douglas A. Pritt
Former Commander, 41st Infantry Brigade