Army Basic Training: Be Smart, Be Ready

Rating:
Summary: Obvioulsy, reviews have been written by the authors friends
Review: It's an adequate reference, and a decent starting point for research into basic training. The information is timely, useful, and quite condensed. It is also quite limited in its depth. For $20 one should expect a bit more detail and discussion. The most valulable part of the book is the references for further research.

However, I should note that you need not buy this book to get the information contained within. Go to usmilitary.about.com instead. While you don't get the word for word contents of this book, you get the equivalent information for all five service branches of the US military plus quite a bit more than is contained in the book.

Rating:
Summary: Not bad, but not particularly useful.
Review: It's an adequate reference, and a decent starting point for research into basic training. The information is timely, useful, and quite condensed. It is also quite limited in its depth. For $20 one should expect a bit more detail and discussion. The most valulable part of the book is the references for further research.

However, I should note that you need not buy this book to get the information contained within. Go to usmilitary.about.com instead. While you don't get the word for word contents of this book, you get the equivalent information for all five service branches of the US military plus quite a bit more than is contained in the book.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent insider's account of Army Basic Training
Review: Mrs. Theibes' book, Army Basic Training: Be Smart, Be Ready is a concise, cut-to-the-chase, factual account of what Army basic training is really like. Her first-hand experience as a basic training company commander has proved indespensible in the amount of information gathered in this book. It also provides tips and suggestions for aspiring recruits on how to effectively prepare for the rigors of basic training, including effective work out plans, and tips about how to be mentally prepared. If you are a current/prospective recruit about to go to basic training, or are just curious about what training young men and women go through to join today's U.S. Army, then this book is for defenitely for you.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent insider's account of Army Basic Training
Review: Mrs. Theibes' book, Army Basic Training: Be Smart, Be Ready is a concise, cut-to-the-chase, factual account of what Army basic training is really like. Her first-hand experience as a basic training company commander has proved indespensible in the amount of information gathered in this book. It also provides tips and suggestions for aspiring recruits on how to effectively prepare for the rigors of basic training, including effective work out plans, and tips about how to be mentally prepared. If you are a current/prospective recruit about to go to basic training, or are just curious about what training young men and women go through to join today's U.S. Army, then this book is for defenitely for you.

Rating:
Summary: Be Smart, Be Ready
Review: This book helps you do just that. The photos are really poor quality, but they show enough to get the point across. The Author, Raquel Thiebes, tells you in plain English what will happen before, during and after Basic Training (Basic).

After September 11, 2001, I felt frustrated that I was too old to join the military... but then I found out I was wrong and I can still get into the Army National Guard up until my 35th birthday. I already knew that I'd have to lose quite a bit of weight and get into good shape, but I still had so many questions... what will I really be getting into if I decide to enlist?

The author thoroughly examines each step along the way... things you should be able to physically, memorize and understand BEFORE showing up at Basic.

As a woman, I found it frustrating to find other books on the subject omitting information about what it's like to be a female recruit. This book has quotes from different recruits and officers, both male and female... quotes on everything to how to prepare before Basic to how they think gender integration affects training.

An included chart tells you how many sit-ups & push-ups you'll need to do, as well as a minimum speed for a 2-mile run... for both males and females, and per different age ranges. Recruits in Basic will range from 17 year olds to 35 year olds... the Army is realistic in knowing at 35 year old body is not as fast or as energetic as a 17 year old one.

It was comforting to know that the Army wants you to succeed and while they yell at you and make you sweat your butt off, they emphasize teamwork, loyalty and selfless service.

I still have a long way to go before I'm physically ready to enlist, but after reading this book, I feel much more confident and definitely ready and less intimidated. I know that no book or person can totally prepare me or anyone else for the challenges in the Army, but I do feel far more at ease about my decision to join.

The author clearly not only relied on her personal experiences, but also on research and interviews with current and former recruits, sergeants and officers. She includes a number of websites for reference as well as her own and invites those with additional questions to e-mail her directly.

Whether you've already enlisted or if you're just thinking about it, you owe it to yourself to read this book. As I was pondering my decision, I asked 2 male friends of mine who had been in the Army about their experiences... they both told me what they knew and what their experiences were, but I still felt like I wasn't getting the whole picture... this book makes me feel like I do have the big picture.

As more people join the military in response to 9/11 and demand for this book increases, I hope the author includes even more information in the next edition... including diagrams of how to perform certain exercises and how to salute, wear different types of uniforms, etc. ... and an index! Nonetheless, this is a five-star effort and a tremendous resource I will definitely consult again in the future as I get closer to my fitness goals before enlisting.

Rating:
Summary: Be Smart, Be Ready
Review: This book helps you do just that. The photos are really poor quality, but they show enough to get the point across. The Author, Raquel Thiebes, tells you in plain English what will happen before, during and after Basic Training (Basic).

After September 11, 2001, I felt frustrated that I was too old to join the military... but then I found out I was wrong and I can still get into the Army National Guard up until my 35th birthday. I already knew that I'd have to lose quite a bit of weight and get into good shape, but I still had so many questions... what will I really be getting into if I decide to enlist?

The author thoroughly examines each step along the way... things you should be able to physically, memorize and understand BEFORE showing up at Basic.

As a woman, I found it frustrating to find other books on the subject omitting information about what it's like to be a female recruit. This book has quotes from different recruits and officers, both male and female... quotes on everything to how to prepare before Basic to how they think gender integration affects training.

An included chart tells you how many sit-ups & push-ups you'll need to do, as well as a minimum speed for a 2-mile run... for both males and females, and per different age ranges. Recruits in Basic will range from 17 year olds to 35 year olds... the Army is realistic in knowing at 35 year old body is not as fast or as energetic as a 17 year old one.

It was comforting to know that the Army wants you to succeed and while they yell at you and make you sweat your butt off, they emphasize teamwork, loyalty and selfless service.

I still have a long way to go before I'm physically ready to enlist, but after reading this book, I feel much more confident and definitely ready and less intimidated. I know that no book or person can totally prepare me or anyone else for the challenges in the Army, but I do feel far more at ease about my decision to join.

The author clearly not only relied on her personal experiences, but also on research and interviews with current and former recruits, sergeants and officers. She includes a number of websites for reference as well as her own and invites those with additional questions to e-mail her directly.

Whether you've already enlisted or if you're just thinking about it, you owe it to yourself to read this book. As I was pondering my decision, I asked 2 male friends of mine who had been in the Army about their experiences... they both told me what they knew and what their experiences were, but I still felt like I wasn't getting the whole picture... this book makes me feel like I do have the big picture.

As more people join the military in response to 9/11 and demand for this book increases, I hope the author includes even more information in the next edition... including diagrams of how to perform certain exercises and how to salute, wear different types of uniforms, etc. ... and an index! Nonetheless, this is a five-star effort and a tremendous resource I will definitely consult again in the future as I get closer to my fitness goals before enlisting.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Information
Review: This book was fantastic! It is very easy reading and very informative. I am planning on entering the army in a few months and I wanted to be well informed on what to expect so I would better be prepared when I arrived and not go into culture shock. In my opinion, every new army recruit should read this book before they go into basic training. It answers a lot of questions that you may not think to ask the recruiter. The chapter in which the drill instructors have contributed is a wonderful asset to the book and helps you learn what they are thinking and expecting from the new recruits.

Rating:
Summary: Great little guide! I got the $8 Ebook.
Review: This is the book to have if you are planning on joining the Army. It is also a must for family members of recruits as well. The book is a great guide, explaining every step of the basic training process. It's easy to read, entertaining and filled with useful tips. My son is currently in Basic Training and his letters report he is really enjoying himself! He poured over the book in the months before he left. The information contained in this book gave him a heads up over other recruits. The added self confidence gained by knowing what to expect is crucial for sucsess in Boot Camp. Thanks to the author for providing her 'insight' into the process.

Rating:
Summary: If you're joining the Army - you've got to buy this book!
Review: This is the book to have if you are planning on joining the Army. It is also a must for family members of recruits as well. The book is a great guide, explaining every step of the basic training process. It's easy to read, entertaining and filled with useful tips. My son is currently in Basic Training and his letters report he is really enjoying himself! He poured over the book in the months before he left. The information contained in this book gave him a heads up over other recruits. The added self confidence gained by knowing what to expect is crucial for sucsess in Boot Camp. Thanks to the author for providing her 'insight' into the process.

Rating:
Summary: Obvioulsy, reviews have been written by the authors friends
Review: What in the world are these other reviewers talking about. Must be the author reviewing her own work or her friends. This book just talked about basic training. it gave no special survival tactics or any way of succeeding more than the other recruits. I found nothing at all special about this book.