Ground combat branch adjusts to face Russia and China
The U.S. Army will release a new combat “FM 3.0 Operations” doctrine
designed to better position the service for the prospect of large-scale,
mechanized warfare against technologically advanced near-peer rivals —
such as Russia or China — able to substantially challenge U.S. military
technological superiority.
The new “Operations” doctrine, to be unveiled in a matter of days at
the Association of the United States Army Annual Convention, is intended
as a supplement or adjustment to the Army’s current “FM 3.0 Full
Spectrum” Field Manual, a doctrine which first emerged more than several
years ago.
Authors of the new doctrine explain that while many elements of the
Army’s previous “Full Spectrum” doctrine are retained and updated, “FM
3.0 Full Spectrum” was written when the Russians had not attacked
Ukraine, the Army was immersed in war in Afghanistan and the current
tensions in the South China Sea had not yet emerged to the extent they
do today, Col. Rich Creed, Combined Arms Director Ft. Leavenworth, told
Scout Warrior.
“The Army needs to be prepared for large-scale combat operations
against potential near-peer capabilities within a regional context,”
Creed said. “The operational scenario is different now. We are retaining
lessons and experiences from prior doctrine, but we need to address the
tactics and procedures conducted by large-scale units to conduct land
combat.”
