ADP 3-90 OFFENSE AND DEFENSE JULY 2019 DISTRIBUTION RESTRICTION: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. This publication supersedes ADP 3-90, dated 13 August 2018. HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY This publication is available at the Army Publishing Directorate site (https://armypubs.army.mil) and the Central Army Registry site (https://atiam.train.army.mil/catalog/dashboard). *ADP 3-90 Army Doctrine Publication Headquarters No. 3-90 Department of the Army Washington, DC, 31 July 2019 OFFENSE AND DEFENSE Contents Page PREFACE.................................................................................................................... iii INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... v Chapter 1 TACTICAL FUNDAMENTALS.................................................................................. 1-1 Tactics ....................................................................................................................... 1-1 The Tactical Level of Warfare.................................................................................... 1-1 The Art and Science of Tactics ................................................................................. 1-2 Solving Tactical Problems ......................................................................................... 1-4 Hasty Versus Deliberate Operations ......................................................................... 1-5 Risk ............................................................................................................................ 1-6 Chapter 2 COMMON TACTICAL CONCEPTS AND ECHELONS ............................................ 2-1 Joint Interdependence ............................................................................................... 2-1 Principles of Joint Operations .................................................................................... 2-1 Operational Variables ................................................................................................ 2-1 Mission Variables ...................................................................................................... 2-2 The Army’s Tactical Doctrinal Taxonomy .................................................................. 2-2 Warfighting Functions ................................................................................................ 2-2 Defeat Mechanisms ................................................................................................... 2-4 Basic Tactical Concepts ............................................................................................ 2-4 Forms of Maneuver and Forms of the Defense....................................................... 2-17 Echelons .................................................................................................................. 2-17 Chapter 3 THE OFFENSE ......................................................................................................... 3-1 Purposes of the Offense ............................................................................................ 3-1 Characteristics of the Offense ................................................................................... 3-1 Types of Offensive Operations .................................................................................. 3-3 Common Offensive Control Measures ...................................................................... 3-3 Common Offensive Planning Considerations ............................................................ 3-7 Transition ................................................................................................................. 3-18 Chapter 4 THE DEFENSE ......................................................................................................... 4-1 Purposes of the Defense ........................................................................................... 4-1 Characteristics of the Defense .................................................................................. 4-1 Types of Defensive Operations ................................................................................. 4-3 Common Defensive Control Measures ..................................................................... 4-4 Common Defensive Planning Considerations ........................................................... 4-7 Transition ................................................................................................................. 4-18 DISTRIBUTION RESTRICTION: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. *This publication supersedes ADP 3-90, dated 13 August 2018. i Contents Chapter 5 ENABLING OPERATIONS ...................................................................................... 5-1 Reconnaissance ........................................................................................................ 5-1 Security Operations................................................................................................... 5-2 Troop Movement ....................................................................................................... 5-3 Relief in Place ........................................................................................................... 5-4 Passage of Lines ....................................................................................................... 5-4 GLOSSARY ................................................................................................ Glossary-1 REFERENCES ........................................................................................ References-1 INDEX ............................................................................................................... Index-1 Figures Figure 1-1. Risk reduction factors .................................................................................................. 1-7 Figure 2-1. Taxonomy of Army tactics ........................................................................................... 2-3 Figure 2-2. Division-assigned airspace .......................................................................................... 2-9 Figure 2-3. Flanks of a stationary unit ......................................................................................... 2-12 Figure 2-4. Flanks of a moving unit ............................................................................................. 2-13 Figure 4-1. Defensive arrangement ............................................................................................... 4-6 Tables Introductory table. New and modified Army terms ............................................................................ vi ii ADP 3-90 31 July 2019 Preface ADP 3-90 augments the land operations doctrine established in ADP 3-0 and FM 3-0. It provides additional information on the basic concepts and control measures associated with the art and science of tactics. ADP 3-90 provides the doctrine for the conduct of offensive and defensive operations, just as ADP 3-07 provides doctrine for the conduct of stability operations, and ADP 3-28 provides the doctrine for the defense support of civil authorities tasks. ADP 3-90 focuses on the organization of forces; minimum-essential control measures; and general planning, preparation, and execution considerations for offensive and defensive operations. It is the common reference for all students of the art and science of tactics. Echelon-specific Army techniques publications address how each tactical echelon employs these tactical concepts. The principal audience for ADP 3-90 is all members of the profession of arms. Commanders and staffs of Army headquarters serving as a joint task force or multinational headquarters should also refer to applicable joint or multinational doctrine concerning the range of military operations. Trainers and educators throughout the Army use this publication. Commanders, staffs, and subordinates ensure their decisions and actions comply with applicable U.S., international, and, in some cases, host-nation laws and regulations. Commanders at all levels ensure their Soldiers and Department of the Army Civilians operate in accordance with the law of war and the rules of engagement. (See FM 27-10.) ADP 3-90 uses joint terms where applicable. Selected joint and Army terms and definitions appear in both the glossary and the text. Terms for which ADP 3-90 is the proponent publication (the authority) are marked with an asterisk (*) in the glossary. When first defined in the text, terms for which ADP 3-90 is the proponent publication are boldfaced and italicized, and definitions are boldfaced. When first defining other proponent definitions in the text, the term is italicized and the number of the proponent publication follows the definition. Following uses of the term are not italicized. ADP 3-90 applies to the Active Army, Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States, and United States Army Reserve unless otherwise stated. The proponent of ADP 3-90 is the United States Army Combined Arms Center. The preparing agency is the Combined Arms Doctrine Directorate, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center. Send comments and recommendations on a DA Form 2028 (Recommended Changes to Publications and Blank Forms) to Commander, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth, ATTN: ATZL-MCD (ADP 3-90), 300 McPherson Avenue, Fort Leavenworth, KS 66027-2337; by email to [email protected];