FM 3-90

TACTICS

	FIGURES
	TABLES
	PREFACE

PART ONE	TACTICAL FUNDAMENTALS
Chapter 1	THE ART OF TACTICS
	The Tactical Level of War
	The Science and Art of Tactics
	Historical Example
	Hasty Versus Deliberate Operations
	Solving Tactical Problems

Chapter 2	COMMON TACTICAL CONCEPTS AND GRAPHIC CONTROL MEASURES
	Doctrinal Hierarchy
	The Operational Framework
	Principles of War
	Tenets of Army Operations
	The Factors of METT-TC
	Elements of Operational Design
	Battlefield Operating Systems
	Basic Tactical Concepts
	Basic Tactical Graphic Control Measures

PART TWO	OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS
Chapter 3	THE BASICS OF THE OFFENSE
	Characteristics of Offensive Operations
	Historical Example
	Types of Offensive Operations
	Common Offensive Control Measures
	Forms of Maneuver
	Common Offensive Planning Considerations
	Transition

Chapter 4	MOVEMENT TO CONTACT
	Historical Example
	Organization of Forces
	Control Measures
	Planning a Movement to Contact
	Executing a Movement to Contact
	Search and Attack

Chapter 5	ATTACK
	Organization of Forces
	Control Measures
	Planning an Attack
	Preparing an Attack
	Executing an Attack
	Special Purpose Attacks

Chapter 6	EXPLOITATION
	Organization of Forces
	Control Measures
	Planning an Exploitation
	Executing an Exploitation

Chapter 7	PURSUIT
	Organization of Forces
	Control Measures
	Planning a Pursuit
	Executing a Pursuit

PART THREE	DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS
Chapter 8	BASICS OF DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS
	Historical Example
	Types of Defensive Operations
	Common Defensive Control Measures
	Common Defensive Planning Considerations
	Common Defensive Scenarios
	Transition

Chapter 9	THE AREA DEFENSE
	Organization of Forces
	Control Measures
	Planning an Area Defense
	Preparing an Area Defense
	Executing an Area Defense

Chapter 10	THE MOBILE DEFENSE
	Historical Example
	Organization of Forces
	Control Measures
	Planning a Mobile Defense
	Preparing a Mobile Defense
	Execution of a Mobile Defense

Chapter 11	THE RETROGRADE
	Historical Example
	Delay
	Withdrawal
	Retirement
	Combat Service Support
	Unique Retrograde Situations

PART FOUR	TACTICAL ENABLING OPERATIONS
Chapter 12	SECURITY OPERATIONS
	Fundamentals of Security Operations
	Historical Example
	General Considerations for Security Operations
	Screen
	Guard
	Cover
	Area Security
	Local Security
	Combat Outposts

Chapter 13	RECONNAISSANCE OPERATIONS
	Reconnaissance Objective
	Reconnaissance Fundamentals
	Historical Example
	Characteristics of Reconnaissance Assets
	Forms of Reconnaissance
	Planning a Reconnaissance
	Executing a Reconnaissance
	Recuperation and Reconstitution of Reconnaissance Assets

Chapter 14	TROOP MOVEMENT
	Methods of Troop Movement
	Administrative Movement
	Tactical Road March
	Approach March
	Movement Techniques
	Planning a Troop Movement
	Preparing a Troop Movement
	Executing a Troop Movement
	Movement Control

Chapter 15	RELIEF IN PLACE
	Organization of Forces
	Control Measures
	Planning a Relief in Place
	Preparing a Relief in Place
	Executing a Relief in Place

Chapter 16	PASSAGE OF LINES
	Organization of Forces
	Control Measures
	Planning a Passage of Lines
	Forward Passage of Lines
	Rearward Passage of Lines

Appendix A	ARMY BRANCHES AND TACTICAL ECHELONS
	Combat Arms
	Combat Support
	Combat Service Support
	Tactical Echelons

Appendix B	TACTICAL MISSION TASKS
	Actions by Friendly Force
	Effects on Enemy Force

Appendix C	AIRBORNE AND AIR ASSAULT OPERATIONS
	Common Factors
	Airborne Operations
	Air Assault Operations

Appendix D	ENCIRCLEMENT OPERATIONS
	Offensive Encirclement Operations
	Defending Encircled
	Breakout from an Encirclement
	Exfiltration
	Attacking Deeper into Enemy Territory
	Linkup

Appendix E	REAR AREA AND BASE SECURITY
	Command Responsibilities
	Control Exercised by US Area Commanders
	Base and Base Cluster Defense
	Route Security
	Convoy Security

	SOURCE NOTES
	GLOSSARY
	BIBLIOGRAPHY
	AUTHENTICATION

FM 3-90

TACTICS

Table of Contents

PART ONE

TACTICAL FUNDAMENTALS

PART TWO

OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS

PART THREE

DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

PART FOUR

TACTICAL ENABLING OPERATIONS