Rating: 
Summary: Not that much info
Review: I am about to leave for basic training and i bought this book. this book taught me nothing new. it has basic concepts that any average joe would know. I was hoping to find new tips and tricks and found nothing like that. Also, this is a self published book (produced by xilibris) which means that it cant even get picked up by a publisher. In other words, any average joe can right a book and get it printed, all you have to do is pay money for the book to get printed. If your about to go to basic training I would look elsewhere if you need a book to inform you of your future experiences
Rating: 
Summary: Decent resource
Review: I bought this book before I left for basic training last year and scoured it for information. The book is pretty thorough as far as what you'll be doing when you get to basic, and what kind of shape you have to be in. I believe it also has an exercise plan to get in shape for basic - though I could be wrong. It has been about 10 months since I read the book. :)The biggest thing to realize about basic training (and the army in general it seems) is that it's all a mind game. If you can get in the right mental state, the physical stuff is no problem. You will do enough physical stuff while in basic so that passing your PT test at the end won't be a problem. I started basic doing 2 pushups, 11 situps and a 22 minute run - by the time I finished I was almost maxed on pushups, and was passing AIT standards in situps and the run. My PT score was well over 200 (only need 180 to pass AIT, 150 to pass basic). Getting yourself in the right mindset is the most important thing. The drill sergeants will try and mess with your head, and so will your fellow soldiers. Books like this emphasize the physical aspect of basic training, and I wish they put a LOT more time and effort in to the mental part - which is why I gave this one 4 stars instead of 5.
Rating:
Summary: Decent resource
Review: I bought this book before I left for basic training last year and scoured it for information. The book is pretty thorough as far as what you'll be doing when you get to basic, and what kind of shape you have to be in. I believe it also has an exercise plan to get in shape for basic - though I could be wrong. It has been about 10 months since I read the book. :) The biggest thing to realize about basic training (and the army in general it seems) is that it's all a mind game. If you can get in the right mental state, the physical stuff is no problem. You will do enough physical stuff while in basic so that passing your PT test at the end won't be a problem. I started basic doing 2 pushups, 11 situps and a 22 minute run - by the time I finished I was almost maxed on pushups, and was passing AIT standards in situps and the run. My PT score was well over 200 (only need 180 to pass AIT, 150 to pass basic). Getting yourself in the right mindset is the most important thing. The drill sergeants will try and mess with your head, and so will your fellow soldiers. Books like this emphasize the physical aspect of basic training, and I wish they put a LOT more time and effort in to the mental part - which is why I gave this one 4 stars instead of 5.
Rating: 
Summary: Helped me make my decision!
Review: I graduated high school last spring, and I didn't quite have a direction for my life. I did go to a few recruiters on advice of my neighbor. I wanted to know what I would be getting myself into. I've always heard good things about the Army, but nothing really about boot camp. While surfing around I found this book! Of course I read it cover to cover in two days! It was great! IT really answered alot of my questions and gave me some stuff to think about. I also realized that I wasn't as prepared as I thought. Will there be a book on AIT too? You know general type stuff.
Rating:
Summary: Finally! Everything I need to know in one place!
Review: I just finished reading this! I'm on my way to basic training, and I just couldn't find anything that gives the real story on boot camp...like what to expect and how to get ready..the honest truth, not something glossed over like with your recruiter. This book answered all my questions and then some. I enjoyed that there were also comments from other trainees and some individual stories too..the diary was pretty funny and gave me some things to think about! All in all, if you're headed off to basic training, whether it's the Army or even another service, this book is the best way to go. It was easy to read and also had lots of photos of boot camp. Oh, almost forgot, it also handles some sensitive issues that your recruiter will probably never mention. Now I feel prepared and much more confident!
Rating:
Summary: Valuable guide to Basic Combat Training
Review: I read this several months before shipping out to Ft. Knox, Ky., for Basic Combat Training. Now I've graduated Basic (& Advanced Individual Training, at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo.) & can attest to the book's accuracy & usefulness. ... Simple preparation is a key to Basic success: Talk with soldiers who've already completed the training; read Capt. Thiebes' book; do regular push ups, sit ups & running; glean all you can from your recruiter; attend a Non-Prior Service School or similar if one is available in your area. ... Surprisingly few resources are available like Thiebes' book, & hers is the best. She was a BCT Company Commander, so she is extremely familiar with what she's writing about. ... Strengths of the book include that it avoids over-dramatizing what's ahead; it encourages being physically prepared; it gives a good sense of what to expect at Basic, including a sample training schedule; it gives broad points of view (male, female ... cadre, trainee) & it has lots of useful snippets of information, such as in the Q & A section. ... Be wary of the book's packing list: My drill sergeants would have confiscated half the stuff recommended -- bring as little as possible. Even if you think you brought the right stuff, you'll end up buying it again at the PX anyway because the one you brought was the wrong kind (i.e. a solid colored soap dish when a clear one is required, etc.) ... The photos are poor quality, but otherwise this is a useful book. ... A separate book about AIT is unnecessary since AIT is essentially a continuation of BCT & specifics vary widely depending upon the trainee's Military Occupational Specialty. The best advice about AIT is not to believe the stories that say it's more relaxed & less disciplined than Basic. ... And if you're wondering if you can make it, "you can": I was 38 (I got an "exception to policy" after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks). Basic success is heavily dependent on positive mental attitude & a genetic inability to quit. This book will help. Hooah!
Rating:
Summary: Valuable guide to Basic Combat Training
Review: I read this several months before shipping out to Ft. Knox, Ky., for Basic Combat Training. Now I've graduated Basic (& Advanced Individual Training, at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo.) & can attest to the book's accuracy & usefulness. ... Simple preparation is a key to Basic success: Talk with soldiers who've already completed the training; read Capt. Thiebes' book; do regular push ups, sit ups & running; glean all you can from your recruiter; attend a Non-Prior Service School or similar if one is available in your area. ... Surprisingly few resources are available like Thiebes' book, & hers is the best. She was a BCT Company Commander, so she is extremely familiar with what she's writing about. ... Strengths of the book include that it avoids over-dramatizing what's ahead; it encourages being physically prepared; it gives a good sense of what to expect at Basic, including a sample training schedule; it gives broad points of view (male, female ... cadre, trainee) & it has lots of useful snippets of information, such as in the Q & A section. ... Be wary of the book's packing list: My drill sergeants would have confiscated half the stuff recommended -- bring as little as possible. Even if you think you brought the right stuff, you'll end up buying it again at the PX anyway because the one you brought was the wrong kind (i.e. a solid colored soap dish when a clear one is required, etc.) ... The photos are poor quality, but otherwise this is a useful book. ... A separate book about AIT is unnecessary since AIT is essentially a continuation of BCT & specifics vary widely depending upon the trainee's Military Occupational Specialty. The best advice about AIT is not to believe the stories that say it's more relaxed & less disciplined than Basic. ... And if you're wondering if you can make it, "you can": I was 38 (I got an "exception to policy" after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks). Basic success is heavily dependent on positive mental attitude & a genetic inability to quit. This book will help. Hooah!
Rating:
Summary: Great little guide! I got the $8 Ebook.
Review: I've been thinking about going into the Army and I found the ebook version (more in line with my budget:-)) (...)at the publisher's website. (...)
Rating:
Summary: Gives you a feel for what basic training will be like
Review: If you are considering the military, this book is helpful. In addition to reviewing the information that is available to you in the Army handbook (available free from the Army on the web), Raquel D. Thiebes tries to give you a feel for what to expect emotionally from all the drilling, the classes, and your team and drill sargeants. You even get to go through the cafeteria line. She doesn't want you to join and wimp out. She lets you know what happens to trouble makers and how you can work on leadership skills.
Rating:
Summary: Gives you a feel for what basic training will be like
Review: If you are considering the military, this book is helpful. In addition to reviewing the information that is available to you in the Army handbook (available free from the Army on the web), Raquel D. Thiebes tries to give you a feel for what to expect emotionally from all the drilling, the classes, and your team and drill sargeants. You even get to go through the cafeteria line. She doesn't want you to join and wimp out. She lets you know what happens to trouble makers and how you can work on leadership skills.
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