Fort Bliss, TX –
23 September 2025 - After nearly a decade, a revised edition of TC 7-21.13, The Soldier’s Guide, is now available to Soldiers across the force. Published this month, the updated guide serves as a vital resource for all Soldiers, from initial entry to seasoned veterans. The last comprehensive update to The Soldier’s Guide was released on November 15, 2015. Recognizing the need for a current and concise reference, the Noncommissioned Officer Leadership Center of Excellence (NCOLCoE) initiated a review and update project in September 2023. This edition represents a significant refinement of previous versions. The guide has been streamlined from nine to eight chapters, focusing on core information essential to Soldier success. A key change aimed at cost savings for units is the shift from color to black and white imagery and text, reducing printing expenses.
Efforts were also made to eliminate redundancy. Content previously found in The Soldier’s Guide that is now comprehensively covered in the 2024 Army Blue Book and/or the 2023 TRADOC Pamphlet 600-4, The Soldier’s Blue Book, The Guide for Initial Entry Training Soldiers, has been removed. This includes information on Army ranks, first permanent change of station details, barracks/housing information, pre-deployment procedures, and family care plans.
The revision also reflects current priorities. TC 7-21.13 adheres to recent Presidential executive orders and Department of Defense guidance, including updates to language regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion, and a shift to using “sex” in place of “gender.” The recommended reading list has been removed to maintain focus on essential information.
Despite Technical Circulars not requiring a formal Worldwide Staffing review, the NCOLCoE Commandant directed a courtesy review of the draft. Over 16 Army units and agencies, including Centers of Excellence, Combatant Commands, and other organizations, provided valuable feedback during the development process.
The new Soldier’s Guide isn’t just a reduction in size; it’s an expansion of crucial modern topics. New content has been added covering:
- The AFT
- Army IgnitED
- Army Leadership principles
- The Army Leadership Requirements Model
- Career Long Assessments (CLAs) – including ATHENA
- The Digital Job Book
- Leader Development
- Online and Social Media Conduct
- The Small Unit Leader Tool
- Comprehensive training information, including the Army Doctrine Logic Chart, the Army Training Management Cycle, Training Proficiency, and Principles of Training.
TC 7-21.13, The Soldier’s Guide is available now and is intended to be a readily accessible resource for all Soldiers seeking to enhance their knowledge and professional development.