Field Manual 3-21.8 - The Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad

U.S. Army FM 3-21.8 – The Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad

Chapter 1 – Fundamentals of Tactics

• Section I – Fundamentals of Infantry Platoon and Squad Operations
• Section II – Doctrine and Training
• Section III – Organization
• Section IV – Combinations
• Section V – Individual Leadership
• Section VI – Tactical Decisionmaking
• Section VII – Combat Power
• Section VIII – Situation

Chapter 2 – Employing Fires

• Section I – Considerations for Employing and Controlling Fire
• Section II – Weapon and Munition Characteristics
• Section III – Engaging the Enemy without Endangering Friendly Troops
• Section IV – Employing Direct Fire
• Section V – Employing Indirect Fires
• Section VI – Close Air Support and Naval Gunfire

Chapter 3 – Tactical Movement

• Section I – Overview
• Section II – Movement Formations
• Section III – Movement Techniques
• Section IV – Route Selection and Navigation
• Section V – Actions at Danger Areas
• Section VI – Movement with Combat Vehicles
• Section VII – Security
• Section VIII – Other Movement Situations

Chapter 4 – Protection

• Section I – Risk Management and Fratricide Avoidance
• Section II – Air and Missile Defense
• Section III – Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense

Chapter 5 – Command, Control and Troop-Leading Procedures

• Section I – Command and Control
• Section II – Plans and Orders
• Section III – Troop Leading Procedures

Chapter 6 – Sustainment

• Section I – Individual Responsibilities
• Section II – Planning Considerations
• Section III – Resupply Operations
• Section IV – Casualty Procedures
• Section V – Enemy Prisoners of Wars and Detained Persons

Chapter 7 – Offensive Operations

• Section I – Introduction to Offensive Operations
• Section II – Sequence of Offensive Operations
• Section III – Planning Considerations
• Section IV – Platoon Attacks
• Section IX – Attacking Fortified Positions
• Section V – Other Offensive Operations
• Section VI – Special Purpose Attacks
• Section VII – Offensive Tactical Tasks
• Section VIII – Urban Areas

Chapter 8 – Defensive Operations

• Section I – Characteristics of the Defense
• Section II – Sequence of the Defense
• Section III – Planning Considerations
• Section IV – Engagement Area Development
• Section V – Occupation and Preparation of Defensive Positions
• Section VI – Defensive Techniques
• Section VII – Fighting and Survivability Positions
• Section VIII – Retrograde

Chapter 9 – Patrols and Patrolling

• Section I – Overview
• Section II – Combat Patrols
• Section III – Reconnaissance Patrols
• Section IV – Area Reconnaissance
• Section V – Route Reconnaissance
• Section VI – Zone Reconnaissance
• Section VII – Patrol Preparations
• Section VIII- Post Patrol Activities

Appendix & Glossary

• Appendix A – Machine Gun Employment
• Appendix B – Shoulder-Launched Munitions and Close Combat Missile Systems
• Appendix C – Fire Planning
• Appendix D – Vehicle Employment Considerations
• Appendix E – Helicopter Movement
• Appendix F – Obstacle Reduction and Employment
• Appendix G – Other Small Unit Organizations
• Appendix H – Security
• Appendix I – Improvised Explosive Devices, Suicide Bombers, and Unexploded Ordnance
• Glossary
• Preface