The Soldier’s Blue Book The Guide for Initial Entry ...

1 TRADOC Pamphlet 600-4 i THE The Soldier s Blue Book The Guide for Initial Entry training Soldiers TRADOC Pamphlet 600-4 12 September 2014 HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY United States Army training and Doctrine Command Fort Eustis, VA 23604-5701 TRADOC Pamphlet 600-4 i Foreword Welcome to the Army! You have taken the first step on a journey that I m confident will change your life forever. The Army you are joining is an organization that's the best in the world at what it does. It's comprised of magnificent Soldiers who are out there every day making a difference in a very complex world. The Army values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage are more than mere words that we recite. Taken together and integrated through an understanding and appreciation of the sacrifices made by the generations of citizen-soldiers who previously answered the call to defend America's values become part of who we are and form the moral and ethical identity that inspire us as Soldiers.

2 Over the next several weeks, we will help you prepare for this journey. During Basic combat training and the follow-on occupational skills training , we will help you transition from citizen volunteer to an Army Professional by teaching you what it means to be a Soldier, and by ensuring that you are physical ready and have the skills needed to perform your job. I m confident that you are up to the task. I hope you will find this experience personally and professionally rewarding, and if you let it, set you on a path of continued success. So, let s get started! Ross E. Ridge Major General, Army Commander, Center for Initial Military training ii TRADOC Pamphlet 600-4 Soldier Information Name: _____ My basic combat training (BCT)/one station unit training (OSUT)/advanced individual training (AIT) Company Chain of Command: * Note: Use pencil Company Commander: _____ First Sergeant: _____ Drill Sergeant: _____ Drill Sergeant: _____ Drill Sergeant: _____ AIT Platoon Sergeant: _____ Instructor / Squad Leader: _____ Instructor / Squad Leader: _____ My mailing address: TRADOC Pamphlet 600-4 iii My Battle Buddy Reception Battalion: _____ BCT/OSUT: _____ AIT: _____ My Sexual Harassment/Assault Response & Prevention (SHARP) Program Contacts: Fill in using a pencil upon arrival at BCT, AIT and/or OSUT, and first unit of assignment: Unit Victim s Advocate / SHARP Representatives: Company ( Initial Entry training (IET) Only).

3 _____ Battalion: _____ Brigade: _____ Notes:_____ iv TRADOC Pamphlet 600-4 Basic combat training (BCT) Calendar This is a tool for you to record milestones (APFT, basic rifle marksmanship, FTX, etc.) and to count down the days until BCT Graduation. Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 BCT Calendar Monday Tuesday Wednesday TRADOC Pamphlet 600-4 v Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday vi TRADOC Pamphlet 600-4 Notes: _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ Department of the Army *TRADOC Pamphlet 600-4 Headquarters, United States Army training and Doctrine Command Fort Eustis, VA 23604-5701 12 September 2014 The Soldier s Blue Book FOR THE COMMANDER: OFFICIAL: KEVIN W. MANGUM Lieutenant General, Army Deputy Commanding General/ Chief of Staff Colonel, GS Deputy Chief of Staff, G-6 History.

4 This is a major revision to United States Army training and Doctrine Command pamphlet 600-4. *This pamphlet supersedes TRADOC Pamphlet 600-4, dated 9 Jun 2010, and Change 1, dated 24 Feb 2014. 2 TRADOC Pamphlet 600-4 Summary. This pamphlet is the Guide for all Initial Entry training (IET) Soldiers who enter the Army. It provides an introduction to the Army. Throughout the Blue Book, Soldiers will read and learn about Army Values, Culture, History, Organizations, and training they will receive. It provides assistance with pay issues, leave, Thrift Saving Plans, and organizations that will be available to assist the families. The Soldier s Blue Book is an inspectable item and will be carried at all times. Applicability. This pamphlet applies to all active Army, United States Army Reserve, and the Army National Guard enlisted IET conducted at service schools, Army training Centers, and other training activities under the control of Headquarters training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC).

5 Proponent. The proponent for this pamphlet is TRADOC Deputy Commanding General- Initial Military training (DCG-IMT) (ATMT-OP), 210 Dillon Circle, Fort Eustis VA 23604-5701. Supplementation. Users are invited to send comments and suggested improvements on Department of the Army (DA) Form 2028 (recommended Changes to Publications and Blank Forms) directly to the US Army Center for Initial Military training (ATMT-OP), 210 Dillon Circle, Fort Eustis, VA 23604-5701. TRADOC Pamphlet 600-4 3 Distribution. This pamphlet will be distributed to the four training locations that conduct Basic combat training (BCT) and One Station Unit training (OSUT). This pamphlet is available electronically only on the TRADOC Homepage at 4 TRADOC Pamphlet 600-4 This page intentionally left blank TRADOC Pamphlet 600-4 5 Table of Contents Page Forward .. i Soldier Information.

6 Ii My Battle Buddy .. iii My Sexual Harassment/Assault Response & Prevention (SHARP) Program Contacts .. iii Basic combat training (BCT) Calendar .. iv Introduction .. 9 Chapter 1 The Army .. 12 1 -1. Why we have an Army .. 13 1 -2. What the Army uniform represents .. 17 1 -3. Why We Serve .. 18 1 -4. The Army s Motto This We ll Defend .. 18 1 -5. Oath of Enlistment .. 19 Chapter 2 The Army as a Profession .. 21 2 -1. The Army Profession .. 21 2 -2 What it means to be a Soldier .. 23 2 -3. How We Conduct Ourselves .. 24 2 -4. Who We Are Not .. 25 2 -5. The Army s Commitment to You .. 26 2 -6. The Journey Begins .. 27 Chapter 3 The Reception Battalion .. 28 3 -1. The 28 3 -2. Critical Information Needed Upfront .. 31 6 TRADOC Pamphlet 600-4 3 -3 . The Battle Buddy System .. 31 3 -4. Army Values .. 33 3 -5 Sexual Harassment /Assault Response & Prevention (SHARP).

7 37 3 -6. Suicide Prevention .. 40 3 -7. The Soldier s Creed and Warrior Ethos .. 42 3 -8. The BCT / One Station Unit training (OSUT) / Advanced Individual training (AIT) Golden Rules .. 44 Chapter 4 BCT / OSUT / AIT .. 45 4 -1. What to Expect .. 45 4 -2. The training Company Your Unit .. 46 4 -3. Safe and Secure Environment .. 47 4 -4. Drill sergeants .. 48 4 -5. The Soldierization Process .. 51 4 -6. Military Time .. 52 4 -7. Daily Schedule .. 53 4 -8. Basic combat 53 4 -9. Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills .. 55 4 -10. BCT Graduation Requirements .. 57 4 -11. AIT/OSUT .. 58 4 -12. What is the Difference between drill sergeants and AIT platoon sergeants? .. 60 Chapter 5 Personal Appearance and Uniforms .. 63 5 -1. Personal Appearance .. 63 5 -2. Army combat Uniform (ACU) .. 74 5 -3 . Army Service Uniform (ASU) .. 78 5 -4. Awards and Decorations .. 86 TRADOC Pamphlet 600-4 7 Chapter 6 Critical Information Required for BCT / OSUT / AIT.

8 88 6 -1. Rank Insignia .. 88 6 -2. Customs and 94 6 -3. Bugle Calls .. 102 6 -4. Drill and Ceremonies .. 103 Chapter 7 Physical Readiness .. 107 7 -1. Improved Physical Fitness Uniform (IPFU).. 107 7 -2. Army physical fitness test (APFT) .. 109 7 -3. APFT .. 110 Chapter 8 Health and Safety .. 113 8 -1. Nutrition .. 113 8 -2. Sleep .. 120 8 -3. Hygiene .. 122 8 -4. Comprehensive Soldier Fitness .. 138 8 -5. Chaplains .. 140 8 -6. Risk Management .. 141 Chapter 9 Discipline .. 143 9 -1. Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) .. 144 9 -2. Equal Opportunity 147 9 -3. Policy on Relationships between Soldiers .. 150 9 -4. SHARP .. 156 Chapter 10 Reference Material .. 166 10-1. The National Anthem .. 166 10-2. The Army Song .. 167 8 TRADOC Pamphlet 600-4 10-3. The Code of Conduct .. 168 10-4. General Orders/Special Orders .. 169 10-5. Guard Duty.

9 170 10-6. Army Organizations .. 173 Chapter 11 First Duty 174 11-1. Where Will I Serve? .. 174 11-2. How Can I Prepare? .. 174 11-3. Promotions .. 176 Appendix A Army 180 A-1. Leave and Earnings Statement .. 180 A-2. Managing Personal Finances .. 183 A-3. Tri-service Medical Care (TRICARE) .. 186 A-4. Service members' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) .. 187 A-5. Dental .. 188 A-6. Army Emergency Relief .. 189 A-7. Soldier For Life and Credentialing .. 195 A-8. Information Websites for Family Members .. 199 Appendix B Soldier s Notes .. 202 Glossary .. 207 Army Definitions .. 208 TRADOC Pamphlet 600-4 9 Introduction Since 1775, the United States Army has exhibited unwavering courage, self-discipline, and advanced military training . Soldiers, like you, have volunteered to serve and fight to protect their Families and friends from enemies that sought to do us harm, and to defend the ideals of our nation.

10 Starting from humble beginnings in our quest for freedom, we have become the most powerful Army in the world. We are an Army made up of individuals, and the strength of each one of us contributes to the strength of the whole. We gain more strength from training , and the basis for our training stems from a past deeply rooted in determination and adaptability. From the formation of the The Blue Book 10 TRADOC Pamphlet 600-4 Continental Army in 1775 until Valley Forge, American forces were brave and fought with purpose, but were disorganized citizens fighting against highly trained and better organized British Soldiers. To win the Revolutionary War, General George Washington s men needed enhanced training , discipline, and esprit de corps. Seeking a solution, General Washington tasked Baron von Steuben with transforming the large group of hungry and exhausted men at Valley Forge into a disciplined fighting force. In the harsh Pennsylvania winter, Baron von Steuben instructed a company of future leaders in basic military movements and tactical skills; those individuals were the predecessors of our drill sergeants!