Basic Training-It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times

By SGT Volkin

Basic Training, It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of TimesI have written several military books in my day. These books focus on basic training, helping a recruit survive marine boot camp and army basic training. The challenge in writing these military books was to write in a fun tone, but provide serious tips and tools to help a recruit make it through the US Military.

I was recently sharing basic training stories with a fellow veteran friend of mine. We laughed about how funny our stories were and found it ironic that at the time the stories were actually happening, there was nothing funny about them. I was telling him about the time my uncle shipped me an entire cheesecake from my favorite restaurant the Cheesecake Factory. My uncle didn’t know the situation I was in and didnt understand that you can’t eat desserts while training under an army fitness routine. What was my punishment you ask? I had to carry that cheesecake over my head the entire day, whereever we went. I got picked on the entire day by every drill sergeant on the base. Let me tell you, drill instructors never get tired of yelling at you for something like that.

At the time, the above desribed incident was NOT funny, however, now I can look back at it and laugh for the rest of my life. One day of misery for a lifetime of a great story….I think it was worth it.

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SGT Volkin is the author of The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook and Workbook available at UltimateBasicTraining.com. Be sure to download his basic training iphone app. Want to make some money? Sign-up for the Ultimate Basic Training affiliate program. By simply putting a link on your blog, website, emails, or social networking accounts, you can earn 10% from everyone who clicks your link and purchases something at UltimateBasicTraining.com! Sign-up for this incredible affiliate program here

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January 14th, 2010

About... SGT Volkin

This author published 40 posts in this site.
Sergeant Michael Volkin is a U.S. Army veteran and one of America's most successful military authors focusing on basic training. He served in Operation Enduring/Iraqi Freedom as a Chemical Operations Specialist and received an Army Commendation Medal for his efforts and for the military fitness programs he designed to help his fellow soldiers. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Science from Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas and also a Real Estate Brokers Degree. Note from the author: "I knew absolutely nothing about the military when I entered basic training. I had no immediate military family history and no prior desire to ever join the military. It was on the tragic morning of September 11, 2001 that I realized what I was taking for granted all these years. Freedom, as wonderful as it is, is an uphill struggle, and comes with an enormous responsibility. It wasn’t so much a decision, but a calling, that I joined the military - the Army Reserves. I departed for basic training without an ounce of military knowledge one month after September 11, 2001. However, I used this lack of knowledge to my advantage. I took notes on everything, with the ambition that no military recruit would have to go through boot camp like I did, with no knowledge of what was in store for me. I listened to hundreds of soldiers share their advice, tips, and tricks on surviving basic training. When I was deployed shortly after basic training to serve in Operation Enduring/Iraqi Freedom, I had the time to organize the notes, add to them, and assemble the most practical basic training guide ever written. The Ultimate Basic Training Series is straightforward, easy to understand and applies to every branch of the military. Take advantage of the military fitness routine in these books. Many hours of research and trial and error went toward creating the program. I believe there is no other fitness program that can get you in shape for basic training faster." SGT Volkin is currently a real estate broker and marketing consultant.