Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Infantry of the Army of the United States, 1917

Issued by the War Department in April 1917, this official handbook was created to train non‑commissioned officers and privates of the United States infantry. Although its primary focus is on foot soldiers, the manual was also adopted by engineer and coast‑artillery units to ensure a common foundation of infantry tactics and standards across the expanding army.

The text opens with the soldier’s oath and then moves into concise, forceful guidance on obedience, loyalty, and discipline. Written in the plain, authoritative style of the era, it lays out what was expected of every soldier—from the newest recruit to the seasoned sergeant—emphasizing prompt, unquestioning execution of orders and steadfast support of one’s superiors. Listeners will hear a vivid snapshot of the values and daily expectations that shaped the U.S. Army on the eve of its entry into the Great War.