MSSG PAMPHLET 600-4 The Soldier’s Blue Book The Guide for Initial Entry Training Soldiers January 2018 TRADOC PAMPHLET 600-4 31 January 2018 MISSISSIPPI MILTARY DEPARTMENT Headquarters, Mississippi State Guard Jackson, MS Foreword Welcome to the Mississippi State Guard! You have taken the first steps on a journey that we are confident will change your life. Upon completion of your Initial Entry Training you will earn the title of “soldier” within the Mississippi State Guard and with continued honorable service you will always be a “Soldier for Life.” The Mississippi State Guard is comprised of magnificent civilians who have volunteered their time to serve the great state of Mississippi and are out there every day making a difference in their communities. 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 serve their state... those shared values and beliefs become your moral and ethical identity as Soldiers and trusted Mississippi State Guard professionals. Over the next few weeks, we will help you transition from a citizen to a trusted Mississippi State Guard professional, by developing your character, competence, commitment and teaching you what it means to be a Soldier who is physically and mentally ready to accomplish any assigned mission. We are confident that you are up to the task. We hope you will find this experience personally and professionally rewarding, and, if you let it, it will set you on a path of continued success. So, let's get started! MSSG Pamphlet 600-4 i Soldier Information Name: ______________________________________ My Initial Entry Training (IET) Company Chain of Command: * Note: Use pencil Company Commander: _______________________ First Sergeant: _______________________ Drill Sergeant/AITPSG _______________________ Drill Sergeant/AITPSG _______________________ Drill Sergeant/AITPSG _______________________ Instructor / Squad Leader: _______________________ Instructor / Squad Leader: _______________________ My mailing address: ii MSSG Pamphlet 600-4 My Battle Buddy is… _____________________________ Notes: _______________________________________ Initial Entry Training (IET) Calendar This is a tool for you to record milestones (APFT, FTX, etc.) and to count down the days until IET Graduation. IET Calendar Saturday Sunday Weekend 1 Weekend 2 Weekend 3 MSSG Pamphlet 600-4 iii Notes: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ iv MSSG Pamphlet 600-4 *MSSG Pamphlet 600-4 Mississippi Military Department Headquarters, Mississippi State Guard Jackson, MS 31 JAN 2018 The Soldier’s Blue Book FOR THE COMMANDER: OFFICIAL: DOUGLAS M. HAYHURST Brigadier General, MS Mississippi State Guard Commanding General Chris Clements COL (MS), MP Chief of Staff History. This is a revision to Mississippi State Guard Pamphlet 600-4. The portions affected by this revision are listed in the Summary of Change. *This pamphlet supersedes MSSG Pamphlet 600-4, dated 17 Nov 2014. MSSG Pamphlet 600-4 5 Summary. This pamphlet is the guide for all Initial Entry Training (IET) Soldiers who enter our volunteer service. It provides an introduction to being a Soldier and Trusted Guard Professional, certified in character, competence, and commitment to the Guard. Throughout the Blue Book, Soldiers will read and learn about the Mississippi State Guard's ethics and our values, culture, history, organization, and training they will receive. Applicability. This pamphlet applies to all Mississippi State Guard IET conducted at subordinate units and other training activities under the control of the Headquarters, Mississippi State Guard (MSSG). Proponent. The proponent of this pamphlet is the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3. The proponent has the authority to approve exceptions or waivers to this pamphlet that are consistent with controlling law and regulations. The proponent may delegate this approval authority in writing, to a commander, in the grade of colonel. Activities may request a waiver to this pamphlet by providing justification that includes a full analysis of the expected benefits. All waiver requests will be endorsed by the commander or senior leader of the requesting activity and forwarded through higher headquarters to the policy proponents. 6 MSSG Pamphlet 600-4 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 U.S. Army Center for Initial Military Training (ATMT-OP), 210 Dillon Circle, Fort Eustis, VA 23604-5701. Distribution. This publication is available electronically via the MSSG web page and in print for unrestricted distribution. Summary of Change MSSG Pamphlet 600-4 The Soldier’s Blue Book This revision, dated 31 JAN 2018 - o Updates and supersedes all previous versions MSSG Pamphlet 600-4 7 This page intentionally left blank 8 MSSG Pamphlet 600-4 Table of Contents Page Foreword ......................................................................... i Soldier Information ....................................................... ii My Battle Buddy is… ................................................... iii Initial Entry Training (IET) Calendar ........................... iii Introduction ................................................................. 12 Chapter 1 – The Mississippi State Guard ................. 15 1-1. What the MSSG uniform represents ...................... 15 1-2. Why we serve ........................................................ 16 1-3. The MSSG’s Motto – “Ready to Serve” ................. 16 1-4. Oath of Enlistment ................................................. 18 Chapter 2 – The MSSG as a Profession .................... 19 2-1 What it means to be a Guardsman ......................... 19 2-2. Who we are not ...................................................... 20 2-3. The MSSG’s commitment to you ........................... 21 2-5. The journey begins ................................................ 23 Chapter 3 – Initial Entry Training (IET) Basics ......... 24 3-1. The Battle Buddy System ...................................... 24 3-2. Army Values ........................................................... 26 3-3. Suicide Prevention ................................................. 29 3-4. The Soldier’s Creed and Warrior Ethos ................. 31 Chapter 4 – IET and AIT .............................................. 34 4-1. What to expect ....................................................... 34 4-2. The training company – Your unit .......................... 35 4-3. Instructors .............................................................. 35 4-4. The Soldierization process..................................... 36 MSSG Pamphlet 600-4 9 4-5. Military time ............................................................ 37 4-6. IET Phases ............................................................ 38 4-7. IET graduation requirements ................................. 39 Chapter 5 – Personal Appearance and Uniforms .... 40 5-1. Personal appearance ............................................. 40 5-2. Army Combat Uniform (ACU) ................................ 50 5-3. Army Service Uniform (ASU) ................................. 53 5-4. Awards and Decorations ........................................ 60 Chapter 6 – Critical Information Required for IET ... 62 6-1. Rank Insignia ......................................................... 62 6-2. Customs and Courtesies ........................................ 68 6-3. Bugle Calls ............................................................. 76 6-4. Drill and Ceremonies ............................................. 77 Chapter 7 – Physical Readiness ................................ 82 7-1. Importance of Physical Readiness ........................ 82 7-2. Physical Fitness Uniform (PFU) ............................. 82 Chapter 8 – Health and Safety ................................... 84 8-1. Nutrition .................................................................. 84 8-2. Sleep ...................................................................... 93 8-3. Activity .................................................................... 94 8-4. Hygiene .................................................................. 96 8-5. Ready and Resilient ............................................. 113 8-6. Chaplains ............................................................. 115 8-7. Risk management ................................................ 116 Chapter 9 – Discipline ............................................... 119 9-1. Mississippi Code of Military Justice (MCMJ) ....... 120 9-2. The Army Ethic ...................................................