TRADOC Pamphlet TP 600-4 The Soldier’s Blue Book: The Guide for Initial Entry Training Soldiers June 2017

by U.S. Department of the Army

This pamphlet, TRADOC Pamphlet TP 600-4 The Soldier’s Blue The Guide for Initial Entry Training Soldiers June 2017, is the guide for all Initial Entry Training (IET) Soldiers who enter our Army Profession. It provides an introduction to being a Soldier and Trusted Army Professional, certified in character, competence, and commitment to the Army. Throughout the Blue Book, Soldiers will read and learn about Army ethics and our Values, Culture, History, Organizations, and Training they will receive. It provides assistance with pay issues, leave, Thrift Saving Plans (TSPs), and organizations that will be available to assist Families. The Soldier’s Blue Book is an inspectable item and will be carried at all times during BCT/OSUT, and AIT.

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).

294 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 12, 2017

About the author

The Department of the Army (DA) is one of the three military departments within the Department of Defense of the United States of America. The Department of the Army is the Federal Government agency within which the United States Army is organized, and it is led by the Secretary of the Army who has statutory authority 10 U.S.C. § 3013 to conduct its affairs and to prescribe regulations for its government, subject to the limits of the law, and the directions of the Secretary of Defense and the President.

The Secretary of the Army is a civilian official appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The highest-ranking military officer in the department is the Chief of Staff of the Army, who is also a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Other senior officials of the Department are the Under Secretary of the Army (principal deputy to the Secretary) and the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army (principal deputy to the Chief of Staff.)

The Department of War was originally formed in 1789 as an Executive Department of the United States, and was renamed by the National Security Act of 1947 to the Department of the Army on September 18, 1947. By amendments to the National Security Act of 1947 in 1949, the Department of the Army was transformed to its present-day status.