Reading Book Guide

The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook: Tips, Tricks, and Tactics for Surviving Bootcamp, by Sgt. Michael Volkin.

The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook is a comprehensive, practical, and easy-to-follow survival guide written specifically for every new or prospective recruit about to enter any branch of the armed forces. It offers step-by-step instructions and solutions, including helpful charts and graphics, for how to prepare both physically and mentally for boot camp. We hope these thought-provoking questions lead to some lively book discussions.

1. What are the mental and physical challenges that basic training provides recruits?
2. What are the best physical exercises to prepare you for basic training?
3. What is the goal of the drill sergeant and why do they act the way they do?
4. Why has the military instituted the battle buddy system? Name some advantages and disadvantages to this system.
5. What is Day 1 and why is it often the worst day for recruits?
6. Name some tips that will help you through the gas chamber.
7. List some ways to prepare for basic training in advance.
8. Discuss the most common "do not's" for recruits.
9. Discuss some items that you should never leave basic training without, and some that you should.
10. Discuss how each branch of the military differs.
11. Discuss why basic training has been such a consistent regime over the years and how basic training should be revised based on the latest military operations.