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“Jeff
Circle has written a military manual for those with a sense of humor. YES,
DRILL SERGEANT! entertains and enlightens with stark honesty and biting sarcasm.”
-
U.S. Senator John McCain
“The
history of the American soldier spans all boundaries of drama, humor, life, and
death. YES, DRILL SERGEANT! touches all
these elements with an up front account that will make you laugh, reminisce, or
daydream, depending on your perspective to the military.”
-
Charles
Osgood, host of CBS News Sunday Morning and the Osgood Files
“Shrewd…hilarious.
With
YES, DRILL SERGEANT!
Jeff Circle takes you on a comical march that
blows the lid off the rumors of basic training and leaves you laughing in your
boots! Even RAMBO would have laughed at how Jeff Circle managed to survive
basic training.”
-
David Morrell, best-selling author of First Blood and The Protector
“I
strongly recommend this book to anyone who thinks basic training might be fun.”
-
Bill Murray,
star of Stripes and Ghostbusters
“Thanks
for the fun read of your book, YES, DRILL SERGEANT!...it brought back
memories of my basic training weeks at Ft Ord, CA. I certainly recommend
it for those of us who served and for those who would like to know what it was
like. Please don’t stop with this book.”
- Jamie
Farr, actor Cpl. Klinger on M*A*S*H and US Army veteran
“ As
in most of life's experiences, basic training is less painful if you
keep
laughing, as Jeff obviously did!”
-
Bob Barker, Host of The Price is Right and former US Navy Pilot
“I
wish Jeff Circle all the best with his new book on basic training.”
-
Hon. Caspar Weinberger, Sec. of Defense 1981-1987
“Although
I never wanted to go through basic training again, Jeff Circle’s humorous treatment
of this tough subject left me chuckling and doing pushups for more.”
-
Mort Walker, creator of Beetle Bailey
“In
the final stages of our negotiations with the Soviet Union, The Pentagon, at my
direction, initiated a series of military to military contacts. The first
visit to the USSR by our Joint Chief Chairman was followed by a reciprocal visit
by their equivalent of our Chairman, Marshall Akhromeyev. At the end of
his visit, he paid a courtesy call on me.
“I asked what had
impressed him the most about our military. Without hesitation he
answered: ‘The quality of your non-commissioned officers. They are
superb.’ He was right of course, particularly when compared with
Soviet non-coms.
“Jeff Circle’s book
makes this point in a graphic but frequently tongue-in-cheek manner.
He enjoys poking fun at the process, but he also leads the reader to the
conclusion that our training, with all its seemingly idiocy, has a real
and important purpose – promoting unit cohesion and saving lives.
Thank goodness for those screaming drill sergeants!
“Those who have
experienced BCT will enjoy reliving it from the lighter side. Those
about to enter it will find this book useful if slightly scary
preparation. Other students of our military will be pleased that
someone has told in a light-hearted way what BCT is like and why we need
it.”
-
Hon. Frank C. Carlucci, former
Sec. of Defense and Chairman Emeritus of The Carlyle Group
“From
the initial Fort Dix arrival through the trials and traumatic experiences of a
new recruit's eyes, Jeff Circle has provided the reader with a first-hand
experience unique to those great American youngsters who joined our Volunteer
Army. Despite the span of years, readers of all generations will enjoy the
humorous and candid observations of the Army legacy that is timeless, as Jeff
makes the transition from civilian to soldier.”
-
General Carl E. Vuono, Army Chief of Staff 1987-1991 (Ret.)
“Jeff
Circle has captured the essence of Army life. For anyone who has ever worn a
uniform his memoir reveals that, for all of its seriousness of purpose, basic
training is an often hilarious and unforgettable life experience.”
- Carlo D’Este, author of Patton: A Genius For War and Eisenhower: A
Soldier’s Life
“Coming
straight from bible college, Jeff circle ran straight into hellfire in his introduction to Army basic training.
YES, DRILL SERGEANT! shows Jeff KNOWS the drill! No
time for sergeants? Take time, as Jeff takes us full circle in YES, DRILL SERGEANT!,
from raw recruit to actual state-of-the-art soldier!”
-
Jim Bohannon, host of The Jim Bohannon Show and author of America in
Crisis
“ I
just finished reading
YES, DRILL SERGEANT!
by
Jeff Circle, a memoir of the weeks he spent in Army basic training. In the
summer of 1962 I endured Air Force basic training. The U.S. Air Force inherited
its training system from the Army and, so, reading about basic, even Army basic,
brought back vivid memories of my introduction to becoming an airman.
Minor details in Circle’s account differ from my experiences at Lackland Air
Force Base, “The Gateway to the Air Force,” but the feel, the tone, the
perceived stupidity, and, at times, the sheer terror, we experienced were
precisely the same.
“Among
those of us enduring the tyranny of what, forty years ago, the Air Force called
Training Instructors, two predictions frequently were tossed around the
barracks: “Just wait until I get out of here. I’m going to write a book that
will tell people about all the crap that goes on here.” and “Someday,
we’re going to look back on all of this and laugh.” Finally, someone
has made both predictions come true. Circle’s book should be read by anyone
who contemplates joining the military. Or anyone who has been in the
military. Or anyone who knows anybody who has been in the military.
“As
I read
YES, DRILL SERGEANT!
I
found myself smiling a lot and, even, laughing out loud. I also found
myself realizing once again that I really did get a good preparation for my
four-year service career. As Bob Hope used to say, Jeff, thanks for the
memories.”
- Adrian
Cronauer, USAF Veteran and played by Robin Williams in Good Morning Vietnam
“A
hugely funny book... also the straight dope on Army life!”
-
Col Bud Day, USAF (Ret.) Medal of Honor
“ A
hilarious read. Makes you glad you weren't at Fort Dix and grateful that
Jeff
and his keen eye for observation were.”
-
Steve Breen, Pulitzer Prize winning editorial cartoonist for
the San Diego Union-Tribune
“Reading
YES, DRILL SERGEANT! provides the experience of basic training without you doing
any push-ups, getting yelled at by screaming mad drill sergeants, or giving up
five years to Uncle Sam. It’s been 22 years since the movie STRIPES, but
Jeff Circle brings it back to life in this rollicking memoir.”
-
Michael Graham, radio talk show host and author or Redneck Nation and Clinton
& Me
“I
thoroughly enjoyed your book. Every page of YES, DRILL SERGEANT!
brought back memories of my personal experiences during 38 years on active duty.
Your incisive images of the trials and tribulations of raw recruits were right
on target. Better still, you painted an indelible picture of drill sergeants and
their raison d'etre. You showed how they transform America's sons and daughters
from civilians to the world's finest war-fighters with their unique version of
tough love. Only the best and toughest soldiers can fill that role effectively.
Thanks for writing a book that reminds us of how much we owe our drill sergeants
and the recruits who have the courage and commitment to serve in America's
Army.”
- Lieutenant
General William H. Campbell, USA (Ret.)
“This
is an excellent, glued-to-your-seat account of a trainee's
experiences in late 1980s basic training at Ft
Dix, NJ. Jeff humorously captures the essence of being
there and anyone seriously considering the Army and
life in basic training would benefit from this well
written story. I eagerly followed the author each
step of the way and gained some real insight into what
goes on in Basic Training Land.”
-
Raquel Thiebes, former basic training commander and author
of Army Basic Training: Be Smart, Be Ready
“From
‘Dear John’ letters to drill and inspections, Jeff Circle chuckles his way
through one of the most demanding rites of passage in a young soldier’s
career. YES, DRILL SERGEANT! is a fun, fast-moving read, and a reminder
that sometimes you have to laugh to keep from scarfing down '3000 milligrams of
ibuprofen.'”
-W.
Thomas Smith Jr., author
of Encyclopedia of the Central Intelligence Agency,
national
freelance journalist, and former U.S. Marine
“ Military
training has always been one of the most demanding, critical, and rewarding
experiences of my 30-year Army career, but Jeff Circle's recollection of basic
training reminded me of just how laughable it can be sometimes. Any
veteran who reads this will recall their own training experiences and how they
relate to this entertaining book.”
-
Brigadier General Dave Grange, USA (Ret.) Host of The Veterans Radio Hour and
CNN
military analyst
“ Captures
the realism of moving from being a civilian to a soldier.”
-
Major General Bruce MacDonald, USAR (Ret.)
“With
its raucous knee-slappers, and rolling-on-the-floor humor, YES, DRILL SERGEANT!
will go down in the annals of military humor and rise above the best
to date.”
-
Ronald V. Regan Sr., (The Old Sarge) USA (Ret.)
“Jeff
Circle’s humorous book captures it all. I
laughed, I cried, I reminisced, as I was brought back to my own adventures as an
airman recruit and a marine enlistee in front of the TV world.
I highly recommend YES, DRILL SERGEANT! to veterans and those
anticipating a career in the military.”
-
Ronnie Schell, actor Cpl. Duke Slater on Gomer Pyle, USMC and USAF veteran
“I
enjoyed the book - I especially liked the PT and the Whining chapters. I
have seen so many times before the human spirit develop by being able to laugh
at yourself...even at Bootcamp.”
-
Stew
Smith - author of The Complete Guide to Navy SEAL Fitness and former Navy
SEAL
“At
the muddy, APC-rutted, Bill Mauldin crossroads of No Time For Sergeants and
Platoon stands Jeff Circle's wacky and satirical boot camp memoir.
It should be the standard issue reality-check for any starry-eyed
naif contemplating enlistment.”
-
James W. Blinn, U.S. Navy veteran and author of The Aardvark is Ready for War
“YES,
DRILL SERGEANT! was a great deal of fun, and a great education for someone like
me who isn't a vet. In fact, it seemed to be just the book to give to one of my
students who is about to experience boot camp himself. Even before the fact, the
book helped him through the just-enlisted jitters and misgivings, and as his
boot camp experience unfolds, I will be forwarding correspondence to Jeff. Watch
this space for further news..."
-
Randolph Tracy, Celtic fiddler and violin teacher, Red Lodge, MT
“A
most enjoyable and entertaining look at basic training from the heart and mind
of Jeff Circle. It serves as a humorous reminder of the very beginning in
the development of the great American soldier.”
-
Lieutenant Colonel Olin Grooms, USMC (Ret.) Former F4 Fighter Pilot and Instructor-Author U.S.
Army Command and General Staff College
“Insightful…though
each branch of the military has their own unique mission, when it comes to basic
training they share a common bond. Jeff
has broken the code… 'his importance pales in comparison to that of the
group.'”
-
Lieutenant Colonel Mary J. Street, USAF and former basic military training
commander
“As
a member of a four-generation family of Army National Guard officers, I've seen
my share of Army training up close. Jeff Circle got it right in his memoir
about basic training because it will make you think, laugh, and appreciate what
all trainees go through. I encourage anyone considering entry into the
armed services to read this book. You will thank me later.”
-
Jay R. Greeley SR., Major (Aviator, TX ARNG Ret.)
“Remembering
my days in '67' at Ft Campbell's basic training while reading Jeff's book,
I had a laugh-a-minute thrill ride to the top. Uniquely sardonic and
smart…Circle really delivers.”
-
Kenney DeCamp, Co-Host/Sr. Producer of The Veterans Radio Hour
“Even
this 17-year USAF Master Sergeant can appreciate the team building and
discipline that is woven throughout Jeff's description of basic training no
matter which branch of the service--it just sounds so much more affective when
my college roommate and fellow Desert Storm veteran Jeff Circle tells it. Hooah!”
-
Rand Kuenzi, Hampton VA
“Jeff
Circle, with some deft computer strokes, has written the ultimate "coming
of age in basic training" tome. In
fact, this is a BTO quality book - you'll laugh, stifle a tear or two, but
whatever you feel, you'll always be entertained. I can't wait to see more from this talented young
author.”
-
Ed Williams, author of Sex, Dead Dogs, and Me and Rough as a Cob
“Of
all the military titles we carry at Boomers Books, Jeff Circle's YES
DRILL SERGEANT!
stands out as one of the funniest military humor books of
all time.”
-
Jim and Lee Breeden, owners of Boomers Books, Charleston South, Carolina
“This
book should be standard issue for anyone entering or exiting the service.
Jeff Circle has done me proud with YES, DRILL SERGEANT! because it’s the
funniest book about the about military since mine came out in 1992, and it’s
something every new and old soldier can relate to. I sure wish I had
written it!”
-
Barry McWilliams, US Army veteran
and
Author
of It Ain’t Hell But You Can See It From Here – A Gulf War Sketchbook
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