Mud Soldiers: Life Inside the New American Army

"Mud Soldiers" chronicles a major change in the training of soldiers within the U.S. Army. The old "brown shoe" Army training procedures -- the Spartan way -- has been replaced by a new system. The physical and mental abuse by Drill Sergeants (rationale -- to tough up the troops)has been replaced by a new, softer "candy" Drill Sergeant method. George Wilson's book, written an as observer, offers insight into what's been gained and lost by updating training methods. As a former infantry soldier who went through basic and AIT at Fort Polk during the summer and fall of 1974, I read "Mud Soldiers" with interest. Other books on the subject: "To Benning and Back" and "Reluctant Lieutenant" are written by soldiers. "To Benning and Back" was actually written during basic training, which is amazing, because as any grunt knows, there's no time to write during basic. At least, there wasn't when I went through the big green machine. It's hardly literary, basically a hastily scribbled diary, but it rings true to the journey. "Reluctant Lieutenant", written after-the-fact, by memory, by Jerry Morton, is an eloquent look at basic, infantry training, and OCS in the sixties. Both are non-fiction. Of the three, "Mud Soldiers" is the best read, although "Reluctant Lieutenant" is also well-written. A plethora of books about basic training in the Marines, a horse of a different color, but similar, also exist. The best of those I've read so far was "Parris Island Daze" aka "My Drill Instructor was Tougher than Yours".

I can't believe this title is out of print...I wouldn't say the book is anywhere near perfect (it feels just that much more "serious" or "scholarly" than the typical History Channel or Learning Channel program), but it seems to be the only book about early enlisted life in the U.S. Army (namely, boot camp and one's first duty station) -- certainly the most recent, unfortunately!I was hoping to find a new edition of this really good book, and instead I find that it's hardly available anymore! What a disappointment -- and a loss in this age of an all-volunteer force, when the American military is "actively" deployed more than ever before and the vast majority of youth know nothing first-hand about military service....I can't believe someone else isn't taking up the mantle here, picking up the fallen standard! I want another book about Army infantry Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training, by gum! We have stuff on Marine Corps boot camp, we'll have stuff about West Point cadets...but the mud soldiers, the grunts, the common enlisted man of Army infantry and combat arms in general...we need at least an update on this the only game in town!

George Wilson is an excellant author and gives the truth in this book. I wrote to Mr Wilson and at the time my husband to be was in basic as a mud soldier and Mr Wilson autographed and sent me a copy of his wonderful true book. A must read for infantry.

George C. Wilson captures the true essence of the life of an infantryman during the waning years of the cold war. He exposes a side of the military in an objective way, in which few people truly see. Mr. Wilson makes it clear that the military needs to place that invaluable American asset, the soldier, on a level of extreme importance. He shows that our military is facing a leadership crisis, especially at the middle management position. The Washington bureaucrats need to read this book, and get a grip on the true state of our United States Army. Good job, Mr. Wilson!