Doctrine

The Army

ADP 1 explains what the Army is for: who we serve, where our authority comes from, and what the Army contributes to the joint force. It is written as much for Congress, sister services, and partners as it is for Soldiers. Read it when you need the institutional answer to why the Army exists rather than how it fights.

Doctrine Primer

ADP 1-01 explains what doctrine is, what it is not, and how the Army organizes it. It walks through the publication hierarchy, how terms and symbols are approved, and how doctrine relates to policy and to tactics, techniques, and procedures. Start here if the ADP, FM, ATP, TC alphabet soup does not yet make sense.

Intelligence

ADP 2-0 is the Army's foundational publication for the intelligence warfighting function. It covers what intelligence is for, how the intelligence process supports the commander's decisions, and how intelligence work is organized at echelon. It is the parent publication for the rest of the 2-series.

Operations

ADP 3-0 is the Army's capstone description of how it conducts operations. The March 2025 edition carries multidomain operations as the Army's operational concept and supersedes the July 2019 edition. It sets the vocabulary -- warfighting functions, combat power, the operational framework -- that nearly every other doctrinal publication uses.

Army Special Operations

ADP 3-05 describes Army special operations forces, what they are organized to do, and how they integrate with conventional forces. It is the foundation for the rest of the 3-05 series. Most conventional-force leaders read it to understand the interdependence between special operations and conventional units.

Stability

ADP 3-07 is the Army's doctrine for stability operations. It explains the stability operations tasks, how they relate to offense and defense, and how military efforts fit alongside civilian agencies and host-nation institutions. It matters most during consolidation of gains, when the fighting slows and the governing does not.

Information

ADP 3-13 is the Army's first doctrinal publication devoted to information. It explains how Army forces create and exploit information advantages and how information effects are planned and integrated like any other capability. It is newer than most of the doctrine on this list, so expect subordinate publications to still be catching up.

Fires

ADP 3-19 defines the fires warfighting function -- its tasks, its capabilities, and how effects are delivered and integrated through targeting. It deliberately covers more than field artillery: air and missile defense, joint fires, and nonlethal effects all live here. It replaced ADP 3-09 as the Army's fundamental fires publication.

Defense Support of Civil Authorities

ADP 3-28 explains how Army forces support civil authorities at home -- disaster response, civil support, and the legal boundaries that come with domestic operations. It covers both the federal force and National Guard civil support missions. Read it before a hurricane rotation, not during one.

Protection

ADP 3-37 is the Army's primary publication for the protection warfighting function. It explains how commanders preserve combat power through risk management, prioritization, and the protection tasks that get built into every plan. The April 2026 edition supersedes the January 2024 version.

Offense and Defense

ADP 3-90 holds the fundamentals of offensive and defensive operations: the forms of maneuver, the types of attacks, and the forms of the defense. It is the doctrinal parent for FM 3-90, Tactics, which carries the detail. If a board asks about the four types of offensive operations, this is where the answer lives.

Sustainment

ADP 4-0 is the Army's foundational sustainment publication. It covers the elements of sustainment -- logistics, financial management, personnel services, and health service support -- and the principles that govern them. The March 2026 edition sets the framework that FM 4-0 and the rest of the 4-series fill in.

The Operations Process

ADP 5-0 is the doctrine for how units plan, prepare, execute, and assess operations, and what commanders and staffs each owe that process. It is short, and almost every staff argument you will have traces back to it. FM 5-0 carries the detailed procedures.

Command and Control

ADP 6-0 is the Army's doctrine for command and control, and the home of mission command -- the approach to command and control that empowers subordinates to act within the commander's intent. The July 2026 edition drops the older 'Mission Command: Command and Control of Army Forces' title and is organized around command, control, and the command and control warfighting function. Its seven principles of mission command are among the most commonly asked board material.

Army Leadership and the Profession

ADP 6-22 is the Army's leadership publication and the source of the leadership requirements model. It defines the Army profession, the Army Ethic, and what leaders are expected to be, know, and do. Expect it at every promotion board.

Training

ADP 7-0 is the Army's doctrine for training Soldiers and units. It carries the principles of training that leaders apply when they build and defend a training plan. The April 2024 edition supersedes the July 2019 version; FM 7-0 carries the procedures.

The Army: A Primer to Our Profession of Arms

FM 1 is a short primer on what it means to belong to the profession of arms and what Soldiers owe each other, civilian leadership, and the country. It was published in May 2025 as a standalone read for Soldiers rather than a replacement for ADP 1. It is written to be read cover to cover in one sitting.

Operations

FM 3-0 is the Army's capstone operations manual: how Army forces contribute landpower to the joint force and integrate joint capabilities on land. The March 2025 edition builds on multidomain operations and focuses on large-scale combat against a peer threat. If you are on a division or corps staff, this is the manual you argue from.

Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Operations

FM 3-11 is the Army's overarching CBRN manual. It covers how units assess, protect against, and mitigate CBRN threats and hazards, and how CBRN capabilities support countering weapons of mass destruction. The April 2025 edition supersedes the May 2019 version.

Tactics

FM 3-90 is the Army's tactics manual for offensive, defensive, and enabling operations. It merged the two 2013 volumes of FM 3-90 into one book, so reconnaissance, security, and other enabling tasks now sit with the offense and defense chapters. It is the detail behind ADP 3-90.

Sustainment Operations

FM 4-0 is the Army's manual for planning and executing sustainment operations at echelon. It carries the detail behind ADP 4-0: how sustainment units are organized, how support is planned, and how the force is sustained through large-scale combat. The March 2026 edition is one of the newest publications in the Army's doctrine library.

Planning and Orders Production

FM 5-0 is the Army's reference for planning: the military decision-making process, troop leading procedures, Army design methodology, and the formats for plans and orders. If you have ever needed the five-paragraph OPORD format at midnight, this is the book. The November 2024 edition supersedes the 16 May 2022 version and the posted file incorporates change 1, dated August 2025.

Commander and Staff Organization and Operations

FM 6-0 is how a staff is organized and how it actually runs: staff sections and their duties, running estimates, briefings, rehearsals, and command post operations. When the 2022 edition was published, the planning material moved out to FM 5-0. Use the two together.

Developing Leaders

FM 6-22 is the how-to behind ADP 6-22: how leaders develop subordinates, build teams, improve their organizations, and develop themselves. The 1 November 2022 edition supersedes the 30 June 2015 manual, and the posted file incorporates change 2, dated 20 February 2025. It pairs directly with ATP 6-22.1 on feedback.

The Commander's Handbook on the Law of Land Warfare

FM 6-27, published with the Marine Corps as MCTP 11-10C, is the current Army manual on the law of armed conflict. It replaced FM 27-10, which had stood since 1956. Commanders and staffs use it for targeting, detainee handling, and the treatment of civilians and protected property.

Training

FM 7-0 is the unit training management manual: how leaders plan, prepare, execute, and assess training and how they report proficiency. The June 2021 edition re-established the training management cycle as the framework and supersedes the October 2016 version. It is the working companion to ADP 7-0.

Holistic Health and Fitness

FM 7-22 replaced the old physical readiness training manual with the Holistic Health and Fitness system. It covers physical, nutritional, mental, spiritual, and sleep readiness, plus how to build and run a unit physical readiness program. Changes have been issued against it since publication, so download the current file rather than a saved copy.

Intelligence Preparation of the Operational Environment

ATP 2-01.3 is the staff process for evaluating terrain, weather, civil considerations, and the threat in a specific operational environment. The 2019 edition renamed the process from intelligence preparation of the battlefield to intelligence preparation of the operational environment, and the posted file now incorporates change 3, dated May 2025. It is a whole-staff product, not just an S2 product.

Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad

ATP 3-21.8 is the techniques manual for the Infantry rifle platoon and squad across Infantry, Stryker, and armored brigade combat teams. It carries battle drills, movement formations, and the offensive and defensive tasks small units actually execute. The posted file is the January 2024 edition incorporating change 1, dated June 2025.

Army Techniques Publication for Casualty Response, Tactical Combat Casualty Care, and First Aid

ATP 4-02.11 is the Army's current first aid and casualty response publication, published in March 2026 by the Medical Center of Excellence. It supersedes TC 4-02.1, First Aid, and brings tactical combat casualty care and first aid into one manual. If your study material still cites TC 4-02.1, it is out of date.

Munitions Operations

ATP 4-35 covers ammunition support operations: how munitions are requested, stored, distributed, and accounted for in theater. It is the reference for ammunition supply points and unit ammunition handling. The January 2023 edition supersedes the September 2014 version and shortened the title to Munitions Operations.

Brigade Support Battalion

ATP 4-90 covers the organization and employment of the brigade support battalion: how it is structured, how it supports a brigade combat team, and how the brigade support area is run. The January 2026 edition supersedes the June 2020 version. It is the working reference for BSB staffs and for maneuver planners who need to understand their support.

Risk Management

ATP 5-19 is the Army's risk management techniques publication. It carries the five-step process leaders use to identify hazards, apply controls, and make an informed risk decision. The November 2021 edition supersedes the April 2014 version and is the reference behind every deliberate risk assessment worksheet.

Providing Feedback: Counseling - Coaching - Mentoring

ATP 6-22.1 is the counseling publication, retitled in February 2024 to cover all three forms of feedback: counseling, coaching, and mentoring. It explains when each is appropriate and how to plan, conduct, and follow up on a session. DA Form 4856 is the record of developmental counseling.

Holistic Health and Fitness Testing

ATP 7-22.01 carries the administration and evaluation procedures for the Army's fitness tests, including the Army Fitness Test, the Occupational Physical Assessment Test, and the Combat Water Survival Test. The March 2026 edition replaced the October 2020 version. Use it for test administration questions; FM 7-22 remains the training system.

Drill and Ceremonies

TC 3-21.5 is the Army's drill and ceremonies manual: individual and unit drill, the manual of arms, and the sequence for formations, reviews, and ceremonies. It is the single most quoted publication at promotion boards after the leadership doctrine. The May 2021 edition supersedes the January 2012 version.

The Warrior Ethos and Soldier Combat Skills

TC 3-21.75 is the individual Soldier combat skills manual: movement, cover and concealment, individual defensive positions, and the basic field skills every Soldier is expected to have. It pairs naturally with the common task manual for skill level 1 training. It is one of the older publications still carried as active on APD.

Rifle and Carbine

TC 3-22.9 is the marksmanship publication for the M4- and M16-series weapons: how the weapon works, the functional elements of the shot process, and the training and qualification strategy. The posted file is the May 2016 basic publication incorporating changes 1 through 3, so work from the current file rather than a saved copy.

Map Reading and Land Navigation

TC 3-25.26 is the Army's map reading and land navigation manual: grids, marginal information, terrain features, azimuths, and navigation techniques. Dated November 2013, it is still the active reference used on land navigation courses and at boards. Note the designator -- it is a TC, not an FM or ATP.

The Noncommissioned Officer Guide

TC 7-22.7 is the NCO guide: the duties, responsibilities, and authority of noncommissioned officers, the NCO support channel, and the expectations at each grade. The August 2025 edition supersedes the January 2020 guide. It is required reading for anyone going before a promotion board.

Procedures for Preliminary Inquiries, Administrative Investigations, and Boards of Officers

AR 15-6 governs preliminary inquiries, administrative investigations, and boards of officers -- the process behind almost every commander-directed investigation. The 2025 revision reorganized the procedures and added the preliminary inquiry to the title. If you are appointed as an investigating officer, read it before you interview anyone.

Preparing and Managing Correspondence

AR 25-50 is the standard for Army correspondence: memorandums, letters, and the rules for signature blocks, distribution, and endorsements. It is the reference that decides arguments about formatting in an S1 shop. The 10 October 2020 edition is still the current one.

Military Justice

AR 27-10 is the Army's implementing regulation for military justice: nonjudicial punishment, courts-martial administration, and the Army's policies under the Manual for Courts-Martial. Leaders reach for it most often for Article 15 procedures and filing decisions. It is revised frequently -- always confirm the current edition with your servicing judge advocate.

Standards of Medical Fitness

AR 40-501 sets the medical fitness standards for accession, retention, and separation, and it is the basis for physical profiles. Leaders use it to understand what a profile means and what it does not. Medical providers own the determinations; leaders own the accommodation and the training plan.

Physical Security of Arms, Ammunition, and Explosives

AR 190-11 sets the physical security standards for arms, ammunition, and explosives: storage, arms room construction, key and lock control, and inventory requirements. Arms room operations and unit AA&E inspections trace back to this regulation. Some content is controlled, so work from your installation provost marshal's guidance as well.

Army Training and Leader Development

AR 350-1 is the policy behind Army training: mandatory training requirements, institutional training, and leader development programs. The 1 June 2025 major revision superseded the 10 December 2017 edition, folding in years of Army directives and trimming the common mandatory training list. If you build a training calendar, this is the regulation that constrains it.

Army Information Security Program

AR 380-5 governs how the Army classifies, marks, stores, transmits, and destroys classified information. It is the regulation behind end-of-day checks, safe custodian duties, and security incident reporting. Anyone holding a clearance or running a security container is accountable to it.

The Army Safety and Occupational Health Program

AR 385-10 establishes the Army safety and occupational health program and assigns the responsibilities that go with it. It requires risk management to be applied to operations and everyday tasks and sets the framework for accident reporting and investigation. Commanders own safety; the safety officer advises.

Leaves and Passes

AR 600-8-10 governs leave and pass: accrual, approval authority, emergency leave, permissive TDY, and the rules for special passes. It is the reference behind every DA Form 31 argument. Company-level leaders should know the approval authorities cold.

Enlisted Promotions and Demotions

AR 600-8-19 is the enlisted promotion and demotion regulation: eligibility, the semi-centralized promotion system for sergeant and staff sergeant, promotion boards, and administrative demotions. It is one of the most frequently revised regulations in the Army, and the promotion point tables change with it. Always work from the edition currently posted on APD, not a saved copy.

Military Awards

AR 600-8-22 governs decorations, service medals, badges, and the order of precedence. It sets who may approve what, what the criteria are, and how recommendations move. It is revised often -- the 11 May 2026 expedited revision is the third edition since January 2024.

Army Military Human Resource Records Management

AR 600-8-104 governs the Army Military Human Resource Record -- what goes in it, who may file, and how a Soldier corrects it. It is the regulation behind the documents a promotion or selection board actually sees. Soldiers preparing a board packet should read the filing rules before they submit anything.

The Army Body Composition Program

AR 600-9 establishes the Army Body Composition Program: screening weight, body fat assessment, enrollment, and the consequences of failing to make progress. The regulation itself dates from July 2019, but the assessment method and body fat standards have been changed by Army directives since then. Use the current directives with the regulation.

Army Command Policy

AR 600-20 is the command policy regulation: chain of command, military discipline and conduct, prohibited relationships, equal opportunity, harassment prevention and response, and the commander's authority over Soldiers. It is the single regulation most often cited at boards and in adverse actions. It is revised frequently -- verify the current edition before quoting a paragraph.

The Army Substance Abuse Program

AR 600-85 establishes the Army Substance Abuse Program: prevention, drug testing, self-referral, and command referral. It is the regulation behind unit urinalysis and the limited use policy. Leaders need to know the difference between a self-referral and a command referral before a Soldier asks.

Evaluation Reporting System

AR 623-3 governs the evaluation reporting system for officers, warrant officers, and NCOs: rating chains, report types, timelines, and the appeals process. It is the policy; DA PAM 623-3 is the procedure. Rating officials who do not read it end up writing reports that get returned.

Active Duty Enlisted Administrative Separations

AR 635-200 governs administrative separation of enlisted Soldiers on active duty: the bases for separation, the characterization of service, and the procedural rights that attach. Company and battalion leaders use it for chapter actions; the separation authority and the servicing judge advocate drive the process. Get legal review before initiating anything.

Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia

AR 670-1 is the policy for uniform wear, grooming, and appearance. It says what is authorized; DA PAM 670-1 shows how each item is worn and where it is placed. Grooming and appearance standards have been changed by Army directives since the 2021 edition, so check for current directives before enforcing a detail.

Secondary Item Policy and Retail Level Management

AR 710-2 is the Army's secondary item and retail-level supply management policy: supply support activity operations, requisitioning and reconciliation, stockage determination, and shop and bench stock. The 1 July 2024 major revision retitled it from Supply Policy Below National Level and moved property accountability, hand receipts, and using-unit supply operations out to AR 710-4. Its procedural companion is DA PAM 710-2-2.

Relief of Responsibility and Accountability

AR 735-5 is the regulation for relieving Soldiers and civilians of responsibility and accountability for Army property: adjusting property records after loss, damage, destruction, or theft, and running the financial liability investigation of property loss. It is the source of the FLIPL process and the definitions of command, supervisory, direct, custodial, and personal responsibility. Any leader who signs for property should know these terms.

Army Materiel Maintenance Policy

AR 750-1 sets Army maintenance policy: the two levels of maintenance, services and inspections, and the standards a commander is held to for equipment readiness. It is the policy behind the motor pool. The 29 April 2026 major revision supersedes the 2 February 2023 edition, and DA PAM 750-1 now carries the associated procedures.

Risk Management

DA PAM 385-30 is the procedural companion to AR 385-10 for risk management. It walks through applying the risk management steps to missions and everyday tasks and how to document the result. Use it with ATP 5-19, which carries the doctrinal techniques.

U.S. Army Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Guide

DA PAM 600-25 lays out the professional development path for NCOs by career management field and grade: schools, assignments, and self-development milestones. Soldiers use it to plan the next five years instead of the next five months. The September 2023 edition supersedes the December 2018 version.

Evaluation Reporting System

DA PAM 623-3 is the procedural guide for preparing evaluation reports -- officer, NCO, and academic. It contains the block-by-block instructions and examples that AR 623-3 only summarizes. Rating officials should keep it open while writing.

Guide to the Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia

DA PAM 670-1 is the illustrated guide to wearing the uniform: placement measurements, insignia layouts, and how awards and badges are arranged. AR 670-1 says what is authorized; this pamphlet shows exactly where it goes. It is the reference for uniform inspections and board preparation.

The Army Maintenance Management System (TAMMS) Users Manual

DA PAM 750-8 is the TAMMS users manual: the forms and records that document maintenance, faults, services, and equipment use. It is the reference behind DA Form 5988-E and the maintenance record trail. It is old, but it is still the users manual for maintenance forms and records.

Soldier's Manual of Common Tasks, Warrior Skills, Level 1

STP 21-1-SMCT holds the task summaries for skill level 1 common tasks -- the conditions, standards, and performance steps trainers use to certify a Soldier. It is what a squad leader trains and evaluates against. Higher skill levels are covered in the STP 21-24 series.