Customer Reviews

Army Basic Training: Be Smart, Be Ready

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

If you're a raw recruit, a nubie, wondering what awaits in today's modern boot camp, "Army Basic Training: Be Smart, Be Ready" by Raquel Thiebes, an honors college graduate and a former basic training company commander, offers a treasure chest of useful information. Thiebes roadmaps the pitfalls to avoid, and how to overcome bumps in the road. It's a how-to book, not pleasure reading, nor does it dwelve deeply into the boot camp experience. If you're looking for that type of read, look elsewhere.

...and I definitely thought that this book was a good use of money and time. Most IET soldiers have trouble with the physical fitness test and this book helps you focus on what you need to do so that when you get there, passing the PT test is the one big thing that you won't need to worry about. You'll have so much else to worry about that you will be grateful that you can get this one thing off your plate. The plain fact is that BCT doesn't give the Army enough time to get most recruits in shape, so showing up with your push-ups, sit-ups, and 2 mile run at the right level is important. Use in conjunction with other resources. Your recruiter has an interest in seeing you graduate and he/she can also help you.

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.