Special Operations Forces Fm 3 18

There has always been a romantic fascination with special operations forces (SOF). The idea of secret commandos or Rangers striking from the shadows surprising the enemy with overwhelming speed, violence of action, and cutting-edge technology appeals to America's image of highly trained, elite Soldiers. There is, however, another Soldier who fights from the shadows. This one is perhaps less known and far less understood. His real weapons are a deep understanding of terrain, the relationships built, and the influence developed to motivate and train others to take up the fight. These Soldiers are the U.S. Army SF, the "quiet professionals" whom history and popular culture often overlook. Designed to organize, train, and support indigenous personnel in behind-the-lines resistance activities, SF belongs to an organization unique in the Army's history. Founded at the Psychological Warfare Center at Fort Bragg in 1952 and based upon lessons learned and formation used in guerrilla warfare during World War II, its sole purpose was UW. The experience in Vietnam gave SF a second purpose: countering a subversive insurgency. This brief history identifies the precursors and major developments that created modern U.S. Army SF. FM 3-18 is the principal manual for Special Forces (SF) doctrine. It describes SF roles, missions, capabilities, organization, mission command, employment, and sustainment operations across the range of military operations. Topics include: The History of Special Forces-World War II, The Cold War, and Modern Special Forces The Role of Special Forces Special Forces Guidance and Principal Tasks The Organization of Special Forces-US Special Operations Command and the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School Employment of Special Forces-County Teams, Theater of Operations, and Training Programs Unconventional Warfare and Foreign Internal Defense

FM 3-18 is the principal manual for United States Army Special Forces (SF) doctrine. It describes SF roles, missions, capabilities, organization, mission command, employment, and sustainment operations across the range of military operations. Topics include: *The History of Special Forces-World War II, The Cold War, and *Modern Special Forces *The Role of Special Forces *Special Forces Guidance and Principal Tasks *The Organization of Special Forces-US Special Operations Command and the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School *Employment of Special Forces-County Teams, Theater of Operations, and Training Programs *Unconventional Warfare and Foreign Internal Defense

Field Manual (FM) 3-05.130, Army Special Operations Forces Unconventional Warfare, establishes keystone doctrine for Army special operations forces (ARSOF) operations in unconventional warfare (UW). It is based on lessons learned from both historical and contemporary UW operations. It is also based on existing, long-standing Army Special Forces (SF) UW doctrine; recently developed doctrine, such as counterinsurgency (COIN); and emerging affiliated concepts, such as irregular warfare (IW).

Field manual (FM) 3-05.201 provides the doctrinal basis for the conduct of unconventional warfare (UW) missions across the operational continuum. It continues the doctrinal education process that begins with Joint Publications (JPs) 3-05, Doctrine for Joint Special Operations; 3-05.1, Joint Tactics, Techniques, and Pocedures for Joint Special Operations Task Force Operations; 3-05.5, Joint Special Operations Targeting and Mission Planning Pocedures; and FMs 100-25, Doctrine for Army Special Operations Forces, and 3-05.20, Special Forces Operations. This manual informs and guides Special Forces (SF) commanders, staffs, and operational personnel primarily at battalion and lower echelons (Special Forces operational detachments [SFODs] A, B, and C) in their planning for and conduct of UW.

FM 3-18 is the principal manual for Special Forces (SF) doctrine. It describes SF roles, missions, capabilities, organization, mission command, employment, and sustainment operations across the range of military operations. This manual is a continuation of the doctrine established in the JP 3-05 series, ADP 3-05, ADRP 3-05, and FM 3-05. The principal audience for FM 3-18 is all members of the profession of arms. Commanders and staffs of Army headquarters serving as joint task force (JTF) or multinational headquarters should also refer to applicable joint or multinational doctrine concerning the range of military operations and joint or multinational forces. Trainers and educators throughout the Army will also use this publication. Commanders, staffs, and subordinates ensure their decisions and actions comply with applicable United States, international, and, in some cases, host-nation laws and regulations. Commanders at all levels ensure their Soldiers operate in accordance with the law of war and the rules of engagement. (See FM 27-10.) FM 3-18 uses joint terms where applicable. Selected joint and Army terms and definitions appear in both the glossary and the text. FM 3-18 applies to the Active Army, the Army National Guard (ARNG)/Army National Guard of the United States, and the United States Army Reserve (USAR) unless otherwise stated. The proponent of FM 3-18 is the Special Operations Center of Excellence. The preparing agency is the SF Directorate, United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School.

Field Manual (FM) 3-05.130, Army Special Operations Forces Unconventional Warfare, establishes keystone doctrine for Army special operations forces (ARSOF) operations in unconventional warfare (UW). It is based on lessons learned from both historical and contemporary UW operations. It is also based on existing, long-standing Army Special Forces (SF) UW doctrine; recently developed doctrine, such as counterinsurgency (COIN); and emerging affiliated concepts, such as irregular warfare (IW).

Field Manual (FM) 3-05 is an Army keystone publication and the integrating manual for United States (U.S.) Army special operations forces (ARSOF). The acronym ARSOF represents Special Forces (SF), Rangers, Special Operations Aviation (SOA), Psychological Operations (PSYOP), and Civil Affairs (CA)-all supported by the Sustainment Brigade (Special Operations) (Airborne) (SB[SO][A]). PURPOSE FM: 3-05 describes the ARSOF strategic landscape, fundamentals, core tasks, capabilities, and sustainment involved in the full range of military operations. This manual serves as the doctrinal foundation for subordinate ARSOF doctrine, force integration, materiel acquisition, professional education, and individual and unit training. This manual is the keystone for the entire family of current and proposed ARSOF manuals (Figure Preface-1, page vi). SCOPE This manual describes the principles, fundamentals, guidelines, and conceptual framework to facilitate interoperability and the doctrinal foundation for the development of subsequent tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP); doctrine; and training literature. This Army keystone manual complements and is consistent with joint and Army doctrine. It provides the linkage from joint special operations (SO) and Army doctrine to ARSOF doctrine; therefore, great effort has been made to integrate joint and Army concepts and terminology into this manual. ARSOF are routinely committed to operational missions across the full range of military operations. APPLICABILITY: FM 3-05 provides the joint and land component force commander and his staff a broad understanding of ARSOF. This manual also provides guidance for ARSOF commanders who determine the force structure, budget, training, materiel, and operational requirements necessary to prepare ARSOF to conduct their core tasks. This Service doctrine is consistent with joint doctrine. This publication applies to the Active Army, Army National Guard (ARNG)/Army National Guard of the United States, and United States Army Reserve (USAR) unless otherwise stated. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION: This manual is unclassified to ensure Armywide dissemination and to facilitate the integration of ARSOF in the preparation and execution of campaigns and major operations. Unless this publication states otherwise, masculine nouns and pronouns do not refer exclusively to men. The proponent of this manual is the United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School (USAJFKSWCS). Submit comments and recommended changes to Commander, USAJFKSWCS, ATTN: AOJK-DTD-JA, Fort Bragg, NC 28310-5000, or by e-mail to [email protected].

Field manual (FM) 3-05.201 provides the doctrinal basis for the conduct of unconventional warfare (UW) missions across the operational continuum. It continues the doctrinal education process that begins with Joint Publications (JPs) 3-05, Doctrine for Joint Special Operations; 3-05.1, Joint Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Joint Special Operations Task Force Operations; 3-05.5, Joint Special Operations Targeting and Mission Planning Procedures; and FMs 100-25, Doctrine for Army Special Operations Forces, and 3-05.20, Special Forces Operations. This manual informs and guides Special Forces (SF) commanders, staffs, and operational personnel primarily at battalion and lower echelons (Special Forces operational detachments [SFODs] A, B, and C) in their planning for and conduct of UW. This manual provides historical examples to highlight key points throughout the text. It offers tactics, techniques, procedures, and references to support future SF operations. It also provides general UW guidance, mission procedures, and information ordered chronologically from receipt of the unit mission letter through postmission activities. Users of this manual should adapt its content to meet their situation and mission requirements. The SFODs use the mission, enemy, terrain and weather, troops and support available-time available and civil considerations (METT-TC) analysis system. Examples of specific UW techniques and procedures are provided in the appendixes. The appendixes let the users of this manual review the basics of UW mission performance from beginning to end. For users interested only in the details of specific techniques, the appendixes provide reference material keyed to the generic activities in the text. Commanders and trainers should use this information and other related manuals to plan and conduct rehearsals of mission-specific training. They should also use command guidance and the Army Training and Evaluation Program (ARTEP). The key to assuring success is planning UW-related training before being employed with a specific UW mission.