Sergeant Michael Volkin is a U.S. Army veteran. He served in Operation Enduring/Iraqi Freedom as a Chemical Operations Specialist and received an Army Commendation Medal for his efforts and for the fitness programs he designed to help his fellow soldiers. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Science from Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas and also a Real Estate Brokers Degree.

Sergeant Michael Volkin is the author of The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook: Tips, Tricks, and Tactics for Surviving Boot Camp; The Ultimate Interactive Basic Training Workbook and How to Evaluate a Real Estate Franchise.

According to the book description of The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook: Tips, Tricks, and Tactics for Surviving Boot Camp, “As anyone who has undergone the transition from civilian to soldier will tell you, basic training is a lot tougher and more challenging than any recruit can imagine. Michael Volkin discovered that fact soon after 9-11, when his personal vow "to serve my country" convinced him to enlist in the U.S. Army. As Volkin quickly discovered, he was utterly unprepared for the new world of the military, "a completely different environment full of unknown exercises and acronyms, where you can’t eat or talk without permission. This easy-to-follow survival guide is written specifically for every new or prospective recruit about to enter any branch of the armed forces. Offers step-by-step instructions and solutions, including helpful charts and graphics, on how to prepare both physically and mentally for boot camp.”

According to one reader of The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook: Tips, Tricks, and Tactics for Surviving Boot Camp, “Sgt. Volkin has written an excellent primer for what can truly seem like a mystery: What will I need to succeed in military boot camp? Sgt. Volkin does a great job of laying out the basics, from getting the form right on push-ups and sit-ups, to tips on avoiding too much extra attention from Drill Sergeants. This is a great place to begin for those about to go off to Ft. Jackson or Ft. Benning for the summer.

The book does have its limitations. It is written very much for the recent high school grad who is going to basic and then straight into the infantry and Iraq. As someone who doesn't fit that mold (I am tagged for OCS in the National Guard after boot camp), I found some of the material unhelpful.

However, that does not in any way limit the usefulness of the book. After all, Volkin has written the book for most people who go into boot camp, e.g. 18 year old recent high school grads.  The return on your investment is well worth the small price to pay for this book. I highly recommend it.”

According to the book description of How to Evaluate a Real Estate Franchise, “are You Ready to Own a Real Estate Brokerage? If so, you are about to begin the difficult task of finding the perfect real estate franchise to suit your goals, dreams and aspirations. This book will help you evaluate and find that perfect company. This short book will save you countless hours of research. You will learn what questions to ask, pitfalls to avoid, how to find hidden fees, and how to get the most value for your purchase.”

According to the book description of The Ultimate Interactive Basic Training Workbook, “Sergeant Michael Volkin has done it again with The Ultimate Interactive Basic Training Workbook! After hearing the same request from literally hundreds of new recruits and veteran soldiers, he has developed a dynamic follow-up to complement and enhance his best-selling The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook (Savas Beatie, 2005). The Ultimate Interactive Basic Training Workbook is a comprehensive interactive guide crafted especially for today's computer-savvy recruit (any branch, male or female). When used together with Volkin's original guidebook, the Workbook provides every recruit with the inside knowledge of basic training he/she needs to not only survive, but thrive in the military. This remarkable cutting-edge book includes interactive activities, multiple choice and true/false questions, short answer, word association games, and flash cards you cut out and use to enhance memory and recall. Everyone who purchases this title will be allowed entry into the special "Workbook" section of Sergeant Volkin's dynamic website, where they will find additional in-depth answers and tips for every question asked in the book-and much more! Audio and video graphic icons placed throughout the Workbook let readers know additional information is available on Sergeant Volkin's website.

The Workbook also includes a complete exercise program designed to turn civilians into "military-fit" recruits before they enter basic training. Is Volkin's physical training program really indispensable? Absolutely! This workbook walks every reader through a comprehensive preparatory fitness program. As any recruit who has passed through basic training will tell you, there is a giant difference between "civilian fit" and "military fit." Sergeant Volkin's book has the charts, tables, photos, and graphs you need every step of the way to get yourself "military fit" and ready for boot camp. Knowledge is power, and stepping off the bus and into boot camp armed with everything you need to know will give you an enormous advantage over most of the other recruits. The Ultimate Interactive Basic Training Workbook was written by a soldier for men and women who want to become soldiers . . . exceptional soldiers. No one should enter boot camp without having read and reread Sergeant Volkin's indispensable books.”