Customer Reviews

The Soldier's Guide: The Complete Guide to U.S. Army Traditions, Training, Duties, and Responsibilities (Department of the Army)

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I found this book to contain a vast array of useful information for anyone starting out in the U. S. Army.

Information is laid out in a very user friend format. Many FM's were used as references for this book. It is a good overview and starting point.

Wessling S SPC E4

This book is a definite must read for anyone considering army life. It walks you through exactly what the military expects from its soldiers in the army. From training, personal morals, its history, customs, traditions... well, you get the idea and I don't really want to sound like the table of contents here. However, that said (and bearing in mind at the time of my review there were only 2 real options for purchasing a hard copy of this guide: 1 new for nearly $1000; 1 used for around $40), this publication is "approved for public release; distribution is unlimited."

Simply hop to your favorite search engine and look up FM 7-21.13 "THE SOLDIER'S GUIDE". However, if a copy becomes reasonably priced, I would buy it. It was a much better reading experience having the book in my hands than the re-read I did from the internet, but, any port in a storm.

"This publication supersedes FM 7-21.13, 15 October 2003."

FIGURES

TABLES

VIGNETTES

ILLUSTRATIONS

PREFACE

INTRODUCTION

Chapter 1 THE INDIVIDUAL SOLDIER'S ROLE IN THE ARMY

Section I- The Warrior Ethos and Army Values

Section II- The Team

Chapter 2 THE ARMY AND THE NATION

Section I- A Short History of the US Army

Section II- The Operational Environment

Section III- How the US Government Works

Chapter 3 DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND AUTHORITY OF THE SOLDIER

Section I- Duties, Responsibilities, and Authority

Section II- Wear and Appearance

Section III- Uniform Code of Military Justice

Section IV- Standards of Conduct

Chapter 4 CUSTOMS, COURTESIES, AND TRADITIONS

Customs

Courtesies

Traditions

Chapter 5 TRAINING

Section I- Army Training Management

Section II- Individual Training

Section III- Force Protection

Chapter 6 DEVELOPMENTAL COUNSELING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Section I- Developmental Counseling

Section II- Professional Development

Section III- Retention and Reenlistment

Chapter 7 BENEFITS OF SERVICE

Section I- Pay and Allowances

Section II- Housing

Section III- Health

Section IV- Financial Readiness and Planning

Section V- Education

Section VI- Relocation Assistance

Section VII- Legal Issues

Section VIII- After the Army

Appendix A- SELECTED COMBAT TASKS

Section I - Shoot, Move, and Communicate

Engage Targets with an M16A1 or M16A2 Rifle

Move Over, Through, or Around Obstacles (Except Minefields)

Navigate from One Point on the Ground to Another Point while Dismounted

Perform Voice Communications

Section II- Survive

Evaluate a Casualty

Perform First Aid for Nerve Agent Injury

React to Chemical of Biological Hazard/Attack

Decontaminate Yourself and Individual Equipment Using Chemical Decontaminating Kits

React to Indirect Fire While Dismounted

React to Direct Fire While Mounted

Select Temporary Fighting Positions

Appendix B- Army Programs

Appendix C- Ceremonies

Appendix D- Internet Resources

Appendix E- Professional Reading

Appendix F- Arms and Services of the Army

Glossary of the acronyms and abbreviations used in the manual.

Great information, gave it to a kid going to boot camp. It helps having some military background to understand the acronyms.