Every American fighting man and woman share one thing in common: they have all survived basic military training. Basic tells the story of that training. Medal of Honor recipient Col. Jack Jacobs and David Fisher recount the funny, sad, dramatic, poignant, and sometimes crazy history of how America has trained its military, told through the personal accounts of those who remember the experiences as if they happened yesterday. If you've been through basic or boot camp, these memories of drill instructors, marching chants, combat training (and the "gas chamber"), hospital corners, and the shared feeling of triumph are guaranteed to make you smile. And those who haven't done it will understand and appreciate this life-changing experience that turns a civilian into a soldier―and in just eight weeks. “Bootcamp was the toughest and most rewarding experience of my life. This book captures those moments. It is authentic, entertaining, and often funny as hell.” ―Corporal Brian Dennehy (Ret.), Parris Island, 1959 “The unique transition from civilian to soldier has always generated tall tales...about the environment, the changes, and of course the ever-present drill sergeant who changes your life. While the portrayed events usually grow with exaggeration and some added humor as Soldiers grow older, Jack Jacobs and Dave Fisher have captured the ‘war stories' of basic training in a uniquely hilarious and moving way. Well done, gentlemen and patriots!” ― Mark Hertling, Former Deputy Commander for Initial Military Training, U.S. Army “Movies and television shows have taught us to think of boot camp as a grueling physical challenge-and it is that-but what we take away here is a deeper understanding of the punishing psychological component as recruits learn to box up their individuality in favor of conformity and the unfaltering following of orders.” ― Booklist “Provides a clear and sometimes mordantly amusing overview of the training experience, punctuating it with personal accounts from soldiers.” ― Kirkus Reviews “It's a privilege to call [Col. Jack Jacobs] a friend and an honor to recommend this remarkable life story.” ―Tom Brokow on If Not Now, When? “One warning: The book you are about to read, at its core, is a story about selflessness, sacrifice, and service. I will never view my friend Jack in the same way again. I just didn't think it was possible to admire him any more than I already did.” ―Brian Williams on If Not Now, When? In addition to his Medal of Honor, COLONEL JACK JACOBS (ret.) is the recipient of three Bronze Stars, two Silver Stars and two Purple Hearts. He is the Vice Chairman of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, holds the McDermott Chair of Humanities and Public Affairs at the US Military Academy, and is an on-air analyst for NBC News. Colonel Jacobs is also the author of the Colby Award-winning memoir,  If Not Now, When?  He lives in New Jersey. David Fisher is the author of more than twenty New York Times bestsellers. His work has also appeared in most major magazines and many newspapers. He lives in New York with his wife and two sons. Basic: Surviving Boot Camp and Basic Training By Colonel Jack Jacobs St. Martin's Griffin Copyright © 2013 Colonel Jack Jacobs All right reserved. ISBN: 9781250033727 If It Moves, Salute It: Welcome to Initial Military Training   You’re in the army now, you’re not behind a plow; You’ll never get rich, by digging a ditch You’re in the army now. —traditional army marching chant Congress judging it of the greatest importance to prescribe some invariable rules for the order and discipline of the troops, especially for the purpose of introducing an uniformity in their formation and maneuvers, and in the service of the camp: ORDERED, That the following regulations be observed by all the troops of the United States, and that all general and other officers cause the same to be executed with all possible exactness. —In Congress, 29 March 1779, By Order, John Jay, President (the beginning of basic military training) “I am Gunnery Sergeant Hartman, your senior drill instructor. From now on you will only speak when being spoken to. The first and last words out of your sewers will be, sir! Do you maggots understand that?” “Sir, yes Sir!” “Bullshit. Sign off like you got a pair.” “Sir! Yes Sir!” “If you ladies leave my island, if you survive recruit training, you will be a weapon. You will be a minister of death praying for war. But until that day you are pubes. You are the lowest forms of life on earth. You’re not even human fucking beings. You’re nothing but unorganized grab ass of amphibian shit. Because I am hard you will not like me but the more you hate me the more you will learn.” —from the movie Full Metal Jacket THERE IS NOTHING AT all that compares to basic training. It’s a period of several weeks during which civilians are transformed into soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen. There is no way to prep