THE SOLDIER'S GUIDE - Department of the Army Field Manual FM 21-13 - June 1952

Oct 22, 2026

Uploaded by Terk

FM 21-13, THE SOLDIER’S GUIDE (June 1952) provides information and guidance for United States Army soldiers. It outlines what the manual covers, introduces basic concepts of Army history and achievements, and explains where the individual fits within national defense. The guide then covers knowing the Army’s structure, components, chain of command, geography, arms and services, and the Soldier’s Code, including duty, responsibilities, discipline, leadership, and military courtesy, plus individual interests such as pay, clothing, personal affairs, and career guidance.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages249

Reading Time10 h 27 min

AccessFree to download

Chapter 1. Introduction

What this manual is about

You, an American soldier

Your future

2. History and Achievements of Our Army

What Army history means

175 years of fighting

What so proudly we hail

Your outfit

Colors and standards

Decorations and battle honors

Insignia

What's in a name

Customs and ceremonies

3. Know Your Army

Section I. The Army and National Defense

Where do you fit?

The people, the Congress, and the President

The Department of Defense

The Department of the Army

Components of the United States Army

Where does the Army get men?

The Army in the field

Chapter 3. Know Your Army - Continued

Section IV. The arms and services

Army geography

Chapter 4. The Soldier's Code

Section I. Your duty as a soldier

II. The responsibility of group life

III. You and your officers

IV. Military discipline

V. Leadership

VI. Military courtesy

VII. The character of a soldier

VIII. Summary

Chapter 5. Individual Interests

Section I. You're the world's best paid soldier

II. You're the world's best dressed soldier

III. Personal affairs

Section IV. The Career guidance program

# THE SOLDIER'S GUIDE 5 DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY FIELD MANUALFM 21-13 This mansal super sedes FM 21-14,Military Courtegy,ndatad and together toith FM22-5,Drill and Ceremonies,2 Jse 1950,supersedes FM22-5,Ladrship.Courtery,and DriI1 Febisary1946,includingC3,21 Jenuary 1947;C4,8 July 1949;and C5,21 December 1949 THE SOLDIER’SGUIDE DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY · JUNE 1952 Umued States Gopernment Printing OfceWashington:1952 l # DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMYWASHINGTON 25,D.C.,24 ]une 1952 FM 2I-I3 is published for the information and guidanceof all concerned. [AG 353(r9 Apr 52)] ## BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY: J.LAWTON COLLINSChief of StaffUnited States Army OFFICIAL: WM.E.BERGINMajor General,USAThe Adjutant General ## DISTRIBUTION: Active Army: Tech Svc(1);Admin &Tech Svc Bd(2);AFF(40);AA Comd(5);OS Maj Comd(ro);BaseComd(5);MDW(5);Log Comd(5);A(ro);CHQ(5);Div(15)Tng Div(25);Brig(5);Regt(5);Bn(5);Co(2);FT(5);Sch(50);PMS &T(2);Dep(2);Hosp(2);RTC(500);RC(1000);Pers Cen(2);POE(2);OSD(2);PRGR(2);Ars(2);Dspln Bk(ro);Rct Sta (2);Disp(2);Div Engr(2);Mil Dist(3),MAAG(5);Mil Mis(5);Arma(5). NG:Same as Active Army. ORC:Same as Active Army. For explanation of distribution formula,see SR 310-90-I. 星 e…… ## CHAPTER 1.INTRODUCTION PageWhat this manual is about..… …1You,an American soldier..………………2Your future.. … …… ## 2.HISTORY AND ACHIEVEMENTS OFOUR ARMY What Army history means.… … 5175 years of fighting.……… 12What so proudly we hail...…..9..…… 25Your outfit...…………… 28Colors and standards....………… 30Decorations and battle honors...……… 36Insignia.. ………· ·.·43What's in a name.....…. ……58Customs and ceremonies....…… …63 ## 3.KNOW YOUR ARMY Sectio I.The Army and National Defense. Where do you fit?. …… … 69The peoplc,the Congress,and the President.. 69The Department of Defense. … 72The Department of the Army.… …… 75 ### I.Components of the United States Army. Where does the Army get men? ……… 79The Regular Army… ……… 79The National Guard of the United States.... 79The Army Reserve… …… 80From squad to division. ………… 81Special anits.……… … … 83Triangular organization of our Army… … 85The chain of command… … 86 ### III.The Army in the field. ## CHAPTER 3. KNOW YOUR ARMY-Continued Section IV. The arms and services. Page The right unit for the right job……………………88 The Women's Army Corps…………………………………89 It's all the same Army………………………………………90 V.Army geography. The theater of war………………………………………………………91 The theater of operations…………………………………… 91 The zone of interior…………………………………………………… 91 Summary……………………………………………………………………94 CHAPTER 4.THE SOLDIER'S CODE Saction I. Your duty as a soldier. These things you owe…………………………………………95 A different life now…………∴…96 The best reward…………… ……………………………………………96 II. The responsibility of group life. Share and share alike…………………………………………………98 III. You and your oficers. There has to be a leader……………………………………100 Why orders?……………………………………………………………… 100 You've taken orders before……………………………………… 101 Your attitude……………………………………………………………101 IV.Military discipline. It isn't punishment…………………………………………………102 It's not new……………………………………………103 How it works in the Army………………………………103 The measure of discipline……………………………………104 Discipline is an honor……………………………………………105 V.Leadership. Can you measure up?…………………………………………105 This might happen to you…………………………………106 Principle is the same………………………………………………107 Learn to take ordersfirst………………………………………107 VI. Military courtesy. What does it mean?…………………………………………………107 It works both ways………………………………………………108 Importance of the salute………………………………………109 Why salute proudly?………………………………………109 Reporting to an officer………………………………………113 (了意v ## CHAPTER 4. THE SOLDIER'S CODE—Continued Page

FAQs

What is FM 21-13 and who is it for?

FM 21-13, THE SOLDIER’S GUIDE, is published for information and guidance for all concerned, with content written for American soldiers.

How does the guide describe a soldier’s duties and responsibilities?

The guide presents the Soldier’s Code, including a soldier’s duty, responsibilities in group life, and the expectations for attitudes, discipline, and leadership.

What individual interests does the manual cover beyond the Soldier’s Code?

It covers individual interests such as pay, allotments, taxes, savings, insurance, clothing, personal affairs, legal matters, burial rights, and career guidance.

Oct 22, 2026

Uploaded by Terk