Michael Volkin - Ultimate Interactive Basic Training Workbook: What You Must Know to Survivie and Thrive in Boot Camp

Below, broken into chapter sections, are the answers to the questions found in this workbook. It is important that you read the answer carefully, re-read the question, and then think about it for a few moments before moving on.

This is also a good time to remind you that this is an interactive workbook. As I earlier wrote, throughout this book, icons have been inserted next to specific questions. Whenever you spot one, open your Internet browser and click over to www.ultimatebasictraining.com/interactive, where you can view the interactive answers to the questions associated with these icons. I have tried to do everything I can to make this workbook a rich and helpful primer to help you prepare for basic training and your career in the military.

Dont skip the online answers ! They are important !

Chapter 1: Multiple Choice Answers

1. C. Your shoelace.

A snake is a portion of your shoelace that sticks out of your boot. In basic training you must have all your shoelaces tucked into your boot.

2. D. 40%.

Unrealistic expectations? There are several reasons why recruits dont make it, but the correct answer to this question is 40%. Forty percent of soldiers fail to surpass their 4th year in the military.

3. D. 0

Use of tobacco products are strictly prohibited during basic training.

4. B. Your bed/bunk.

A hospital corner is a special way to make your bed. You should know how to do a hospital corner before you arrive for basic training.

5. A. Romeo.

Never go to basic training without knowing the phonetic alphabet, backward and forward, in advance!

6. B. Never eat dessert.

Unless you like pushups, dont eat dessert during basic training. If you selected letter D for this answer, give yourself 100 push ups.

7. D. Never.

Dont even bother bringing your contact lenses with you to basic training, they are not allowed. You will be issued military glasses, and believe me, you will be looking good in those glasses!

8. B. A series of field equipment inspected often by Drill Sergeants.

You will be issued field equipment upon arriving at boot camp. This equipment is known as TA-50. Before you graduate you must know how to clean this equipment to a condition better than you received it in.

9. D. Never sneeze in formation.

Do not move for any reason while at the position of attention, and shouting something after you do so will only get you into trouble more.

10. B. Meals, Ready-to-Eat.

11. D. 100 months.

The shelf life of a typical MRE stored at a constant 70 degrees F is 100 months.

12. B. Pouch bread.

MRE bread is called pouch bread because it comes sealed in whats called a protective tri-laminate pouch.

13. C. Hot sauce.

Soldiers like the option of hot sauce regardless of what they are eating.

14. C. 1980s.

They replaced C-rations in the early 1980s.

15. D. 1,200 calories.

Each M.R.E provides approximately 1,200 calories.

16. C. 1,250 feet.

MREs must be capable of withstanding parachute drops from 1,250 feet, and non-parachute drops of 100 feet.

17. D. $7.25.

Each M.R.E costs the government approximately $7.25. The cost of a 12 pack case of MREs is $86.98.

18. A. campaign.

The distinct round hats Drill Sergeants wear are called campaign hats.

19. C. Anti-tank missile.

With a maximum range of 2,100 meters, the 4 pound, 40-inch right shoulder fired AT-4 (anti-tank missile) is effective when attacking enemy personnel and equipment.

20. B. Back-blast area all clear!

The black-blast area is 65 meters in a 90-degree fan behind the weapon. Make sure the area is clear before firing the weapon.

21. C. From as far as possible behind your fighting position.

To prevent the enemy from noticing where the foliage was taken, acquire the foliage from as far as possible behind your fighting position. Never use mud, it will crack, flake, and fade as it dries.

22. D. TRICARE.

TRICARE is the Department of Defenses health care program

23. A. 02 Apr. 06.

Military dates should be written from smallest to biggest units: day, month and year. The military limits the number of letters used to abbreviate the month to 3.

24. A. O two hundred hours, Drill Sergeant!

If you answered D, return to page 1 of this book and start all over again.

25. B. A cadence.

There are hundreds of cadences you can sing while marching and running in the military. Remember, the beat is on the left foot.

26. A. M16/A2.

At basic training, you will be issued an M16/A2. To avoid having to do push ups, always point your rifle down range and never refer to your rifle as a gun.

27. D. Index locking.

The four fundamentals of marksmanship are: steady position, proper aim, breathing, and trigger squeeze.

28. B. SPORTS

Slap, pull, observe, release, tap, shoot (or squeeze). This is a quick fix method if your rifle doesnt fire properly. You will learn the details at basic training.

29. C. 7.78 pounds.

A standard M16/A2 rifle without a magazine or sling weights 7.78 pounds.

30. B. 3,600 meters.

The maximum range is 3,600 meters and the maximum effective range for a point target is 550 meters.

31. C. 30 rounds.

A round is also known as a bullet and the M-16/A2 rifle holds 30 rounds in a single magazine.

32. D. 39 5/8 inches.

The length of a standard M16/A2 rifle is 39 5/8 inches.

33. D. You should never try to make friends with your Drill Sergeant.

Drill sergeants are not your friends. Their job is to break you down as a civilian and build you back up into a soldier in a short amount of time; there is no time for making friends.

34. B. 1949.

The Geneva Conventions, along with 3 other international agreements, were written on August 12, 1949.

35. D. All of the above.

The only information you are required to give as a POW is your name, age, rank and service number.

36. C. Whether the recipient is an officer or enlisted.

Whether the recipient is an officer or enlisted, that soldier is entitled to a salute.

37. C. Every 24 hours.

In basic training, you will learn about challenge and passwords which are used to identify unknown personnel at a security checkpoint. Challenge and passwords should be changed every 24 hours.

38. C. Marines.

Although the Air Force has a much bigger budget, the Marines have a resounding capability to turn their budget into firepower.

39. C. Marines.

Marines are sometimes referred to as Jarheads. There are many debates as to the origin of the term.

40. A. Speak softly.

Be confident with your answers and respond loudly and correctly to a Drill Sergeant. Speaking softly does not emphasize a persons strength, confidence, or pride.

41. D. Basic training is 95% mental and 5% physical.

By understanding what is expected of you mentally and preparing accordingly, the physical aspect of basic training accounts for only a small percentage of the overall difficulty.

42. C. To break a recruit down as a civilian and build a recruit up into a soldier.

Although the other answers of this question may be true, the Drill Sergeants main goal is to break you down as a civilian and build you up into a soldier.

43. A. With small talk.

Approaching a recruit with small talk is a great way to make friends early, and you can never have enough friends during basic training. Offering to help unpack their luggage will make you seem like a pushover. By telling them you had a friend or relative attend basic training, they will expect you know all the answers; and when they find out you dont, you will not be respected. To approach a recruit with small talk, ask where he/him are from. You will be with recruits from all over the country, and they most certainly will want to talk about home.