BASIC FIELD MANUAL - SOLDIER’S HANDBOOK - Foreword

Oct 22, 2026

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BASIC FIELD MANUAL: SOLDIER’S HANDBOOK (FM 21-100) presents guidance for new members of the United States Army, explaining the transition from civilian life to soldier life and emphasizing rapid professional development. The foreword outlines expectations for promotion and responsibility, describing how core military information is taught during the first weeks of service. It also defines qualities of a good soldier—obedience, loyalty, determination, alertness, and teamwork—and frames these traits as essential to defending the country and upholding the Army’s reputation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages262

Reading Time11 h 0 min

AccessFree to download

FOREWORD

Record of the Soldier

12.0 # МНГ G Cany3 y ЕМ 21-100 | WAR DEPARTMENT | | --- | | BASIC FIELD MANUAL
SOLDIER’S HANDBOOK | c lom 5fuqleqScD195乙 FTRosearensaFM 21-100 # BASIC FIELD MANUAL SOLDIER’S HANDBOOK Prepared under direction of theChief of Staff UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICEWASHINGTON:1941 WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON,December 11,1940. FM 21-100,Soldier's Handbook,is published for the infor-mation and guidance of all concerned.Its purpose is to givethe newly enrolled member of the United States Army a con-venient and compact source of basic military information andthus to aid him to perform his duties more efficiently. [A.G.062.11(10-21-40).] BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR: G.C.MARSHALL,Chief of Staff. OFFICIAL: E.S.ADAMS,Major General,The Adjutant General. II # FOREWORD You are now a member of the Army of the United States.That Army is made up of free citizens chosen from among afree people.The American people of their own will,andthrough the men they have elected to represent them in Con-gress,have determined that the free institutions of this coun-try will continue to exist.They have declared that,ifnecessary,we will defend our right to live in our own Americanway and continue to enjoy the benefts and privileges whichare granted to the citizens of no other nation.It is upon you,and the many thousands of your comrades now in the mili-tary service,that our country has placed its confident faiththat this defense will succeed should it ever be challenged. In the transition from civil life to the life of a soldier youmay,at first,feel somewhat confused.It is the purpose ofthis handbook to help you over these rough spots as rapidlyas possible and to lay the foundations for your successfulcareer as a soldier. Making good as a soldier is no different from making goodin civil life.The rule is the same and that is—know yourown job and be ready to step into uhe job cf the man aheadof you.Promotion is going to be very rapid in this Army.Be ready for it.You will have little time to learn the dutiesof a noncommissioned officer after you become one.Youwill be expected to?now those duties and show that youknow them.At a moment's notice you may have to takecharge of your squad as a corporal—and in a critical hour.In the same way when you are a sergeant you cannot tellunder what conditions and at what hour you may have totake the place of your lieutenant.You want to know whatis expected of you and be ready to do it The things that a trained soldier must know,and the wayin which they are done,will be taught you as rapidly as youcan absorb them.The basic military information is de-scribed and explained in this handbook so that it may beavailable constantly to you during the first weeks of yourservice.By mastering the contents your future progresswill be much more rapid. In making yourself an efficient soldier you are helping tobuild a defense for our country that nothing can destroy.You are repaying your obligation to the United States forall the benefits of the past and are declaring your faith inour future.If you will make a part of yourself the followingcharacteristics of the good soldier,you will be doing yourpart in upholding the glorious reputation of the Army of theUnited States: Be obedient.—Obedience means to obey promptly and cheer-fully all orders of your commissioned and noncommissionedofficers.At frst you cannot be expected to know the reasonfor everything you are ordered to do.As you remain longerin the service and you understand more of the reasons for mil-itary training you will find that everything has been figuredout as the result of experience in the past.Ways and methodswhich have been successful in the past are continued untilsome new way proves to be better,and then the change will bemade.Cheerful obedience leads to a better performance ofyour duties.It makes it easier for all of your comrades to dotheir part.It means better teamwork. Be loyal.—Loyalty means that

FAQs

What is the handbook’s purpose for new Army members?

It provides a convenient, compact source of basic military information and guidance to help newly enrolled soldiers perform their duties more efficiently.

What does the foreword say about transitioning from civilian life to military service?

It acknowledges initial confusion and explains that the handbook is intended to help you pass the rough transition quickly and build a successful soldier career.

Which qualities of a good soldier are emphasized?

The foreword stresses obedience, loyalty, determination, alertness, and being a member of the team through effective teamwork.

Oct 22, 2026

Uploaded by Putri