Fitness boot camps are all the rage these days. At these
grueling workouts, participants run sprints, flip tractor tires and
strain through push-ups, all with a red-faced "drill
sergeant" screaming in their face.
I experienced a different type of boot camp during my nine weeks
of basic training in the U.S. Army. I remember my stereotypically
loud drill sergeant repeatedly telling me to pay attention
"because something you learn today may save your life
someday." So far, not much I learned in that basic training
has saved my life, but I did learn a few important things. Whether
at an Army base or in a gym, the goal in both of these boot camp
programs is essentially the same: Work hard on the basics so that
in the heat of battle, you're better prepared.
