FIELD MANUAL	HEADQUARTERS
NO. 3-21.31	DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
	WASHINGTON, DC, 13 March 2003

FM 3-21.31

THE STRYKER BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM

COVER

PREFACE

CHAPTER 1. OVERVIEW OF THE STRYKER BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM

Section	I. Capabilities
		1-1. Combined Arms Assault in the Close Fight
		1-2. Mobility
		1-3. Reach
		1-4. Enhanced Situational Understanding
		1-5. Lethality
		1-6. Force Protection
		1-7. Force Effectiveness
		1-8. Joint/Multinational/Interagency Interoperability
		1-9. Full-Spectrum Flexibility
		1-10. Simultaneous Operations
Section	II. How the SBCT Fights
		1-11. Major Theater War
		1-12. Smaller-scale Contingency
		1-13. Peacetime Military Engagement
		1-14. Battlefield Organization
		1-15. Deep, Close, and Rear Areas
		1-16. Rules of Engagement and Rules of Interaction
Section	III. SBCT Organization
		1-17. The Stryker Brigade Combat Team
		1-18. Infantry Battalions
		1-19. Cavalry Squadron (Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition [RSTA])
		1-20. Field Artillery Battalion
		1-21. Antitank Company
		1-22. Engineer Company
		1-23. Signal Company
		1-24. Military Intelligence Company
		1-25. Brigade Support Battalion
		1-26. Brigade Headquarters and Headquarters Company
		1-27. SBCT Command Structure
		1-28. SBCT Staff Structure

CHAPTER 2. BATTLE COMMAND

Section	I. The Art of Command
		2-1. Role of the Commander
		2-2. Mission Command
		2-3. Location of the Commander
		2-4. Combining the Art of Command and the Science of Control
Section	II. Command and Control
		2-5. The Command and Control System
		2-6. Command and Control System Infrastructure
		2-7. Exercising Command and Control
		2-8. Distribution of SBCT Command and Control
Section	III. Planning for Operations
		2-9. Information Systems Enhancement to Decision-Making
		2-10. The Military Decision-Making Process
		2-11. Roles of the Commander and Executive Officer
		2-12. The Role of Intelligence, Reconnaissance, and Surveillance
Section	IV. The Military Decision-Making Process
		2-13. Receipt of Mission
		2-14. Mission Analysis
		2-15. Course of Action Development
		2-16. Course of Action Analysis (War Game)
		2-17. Course of Action Comparison
		2-18. Course of Action Approval
		2-19. Orders Production
		2-20. Decision-Making in a Time-Constrained Environment
Section	V. Preparing for Operations
		2-21. Intelligence, Reconnaissance, and Surveillance
		2-22. Security
		2-23. Force Protection
		2-24. Revise and Refine the Plan
		2-25. Coordination and Liaison
		2-26. Rehearsals
Section	VI. Execution
		2-27. The Command and Control System during Execution
		2-28. Adapting to Changes
		2-29. Assessment
		2-30. Decisions
		2-31. Directing Action

CHAPTER 3. INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE PLANNING

Section	I. The MDMP and the ISR Operation
		3-1. Overview
		3-2. Responsibilities
		3-3. ISR Planning
		3-4. Issue the WARNO
		3-5. Develop and Issue ISR Order
		3-6. The ISR Overlay
Section	II. Collection Management Process
		3-7. Intelligence Requirements
		3-8. The Reconnaissance and Surveillance Tasking Matrix
Section	III. Battletracking ISR
		3-9. Process the Information
		3-10. Receive and Record the Message
		3-11. Filter the Information
		3-12. Post the Information
		3-13. Disseminate the Information
		3-14. Modify the ISR Plan
Section	IV. Reconnaissance Operations
		3-15. Reconnaissance in Force
		3-16. Zone Reconnaissance
		3-17. Integration of the Cavalry Squadron (RSTA) and the Infantry Battalions

CHAPTER 4. OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS

Section	I. Characteristics of the Offense
		4-1. Surprise
		4-2. Concentration
		4-3. Tempo
		4-4. Audacity
Section	II. Forms of Maneuver
		4-5. Envelopment
		4-6. Turning Movement
		4-7. Infiltration
		4-8. Penetration
		4-9. Frontal Attack
Section	III. Forms of Tactical Offense
		4-10. Movement to Contact
		4-11. Attack
		4-12. Exploitation
		4-13. Pursuit
Section	IV. Offensive Planning Considerations
		4-14. Force Organization
		4-15. Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance
		4-16. Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Fundamentals
		4-17. Scheme of Maneuver
		4-18. Fires and Effects
Section	V. SBCT Supporting a Higher Headquarters
		4-19. BOS Planning Considerations
		4-20. Flank Guard
		4-21. Secure Key Terrain
		4-22. Conduct Follow-and-Support
		4-23. Main Effort in the Attack
		4-24. Counterattack in the Defense
		4-25. Conduct Follow-and-Assume as an Exploitation Pursuit Force

CHAPTER 5. DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

Section	I. Fundamentals of the Defense
		5-1. Purpose of the Defense
		5-2. Organization of Defensive Actions
		5-3. Characteristics of the Defense
Section	II. Types of Defensive Operations
		5-4. Area Defense
		5-5. Mobile Defense
		5-6. Perimeter Defense
Section	III. Retrograde Operations
		5-7. Forms of Retrograde Operations
		5-8. Delay
		5-9. Delay Scheme of Maneuver
		5-10. Maximizing the Use of Terrain in a Delay
		5-11. Forcing the Enemy to Deploy and Maneuver in a Delay
		5-12. Avoiding Decisive Engagement in a Delay
		5-13. Parameters of the Delay Order
		5-14. Alternate and Subsequent Positions in a Delay
		5-15. Support Considerations in a Delay
		5-16. Delay Preparations
		5-17. Execution of a Delay
		5-18. Withdrawal
		5-19. Withdrawal Organization
		5-20. Withdrawal Planning Considerations
		5-21. Withdrawal Scheme of Maneuver
		5-22. Withdrawal Preparation
		5-23. Withdrawal Execution
		5-24. Concealing the Withdrawal
		5-25. Disengagement in a Withdrawal
		5-26. Actions on Contact in a Withdrawal
		5-27. Terminating the Withdrawal
		5-28. Retirement
Section	IV. Defensive Planning Considerations
		5-29. Defensive Planning Steps
		5-30. Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield
		5-31. Course of Action Development
Section	V. Sequence of the Defense
		5-32. Occupation and Establishment of Security
		5-33. Preparation and Continued Security Operations
		5-34. Security Area Engagement
		5-35. Main Battle Area Engagement
		5-36. Follow-On Missions
Section	VI. Countermobility, Mobility, and Survivability Integration
		5-37. Countermobility
		5-38. Survivability
Section	VII. Transition Operations
		5-39. Reorganization
		5-40. Exploit
		5-41. Defend

CHAPTER 6. URBAN OPERATIONS

Section	I. The SBCT's Role in Urban Operations
		6-1. Isolation
		6-2. Close Combat
Section	II. Fundamentals of Urban Operations
		6-3. Perform Focused Information Operations and Aggressive ISR Operations
		6-4. Understand the Human Dimension
		6-5. Separate Noncombatants from Combatants
		6-6. Avoid the Attrition Approach
		6-7. Control the Essential
		6-8. Minimize Collateral Damage
		6-9. Conduct Close Combat
		6-10. Transition Control
		6-11. Restore Essential Services
		6-12. Preserve Critical Infrastructure
Section	III. Tactical Challenges
		6-13. Contiguous and Noncontiguous Areas of Operation
		6-14. Asymmetrical Threats
		6-15. Collateral Damage and Noncombatant Casualties
		6-16. Transition from Stability Operations to Combat Operations
		6-17. Enemy Threat
		6-18. Enemy Tactics
		6-19. Potential Enemy Threats
		6-20. Urban Mapping
		6-21. Fires and Effects Support
		6-22. Communications
		6-23. Offensive Operations
		6-24. Defensive Operations
		6-25. Aviation Operations

CHAPTER 7. TACTICAL ENABLING OPERATIONS

Section	I. Security Operations
		7-1. Security Missions during SBCT Operations
		7-2. SBCT-Level Security Missions
		7-3. Offensive Cover
		7-4. Defensive Cover
Section	II. Relief Operations
		7-5. Planning Considerations
		7-6. Conducting the Relief
		7-7. Command and Control
Section	III. Battle Handover and Passage of Lines
		7-8. Battle Handover
		7-9. Passage of Lines
		7-10. Forward Passage of Lines
		7-11. Rearward Passage of Lines
		7-12. Rehearsal
Section	IV. Linkup Operations
		7-13. Command and Control
		7-14. Forms of Linkup
Section	V. River Crossing Operations
		7-15. Types of Crossings
		7-16. Phases of a River Crossing
		7-17. Command and Control
Section	VI. Troop Movement
		7-18. Administrative Movement
		7-19. Tactical Road March
		7-20. Tactical Road March Techniques
		7-21. Approach March
		7-22. Assembly Areas
		7-23. Combat Formations
		7-24. Control of Movement

CHAPTER 8. STABILITY OPERATIONS

Section	I. Stability Operations
		8-1. Purpose
		8-2. Characteristics of Stability Operations
Section	II. Types of Stability Operations
		8-3. Peace Operations
		8-4. Foreign Internal Defense
		8-5. Humanitarian and Civic Assistance
		8-6. Support to Insurgency
		8-7. Support to Counterinsurgency
		8-8. Security Assistance
		8-9. Support to Counterdrug Operations
		8-10. Combating Terrorism
		8-11. Noncombatant Evacuation Operations
		8-12. Arms Control
		8-13. Show of Force
Section	III. Planning Considerations
		8-14. Decentralized Operations
		8-15. Rules of Engagement
		8-16. Rules of Interaction
		8-17. Protection
		8-18. Task Organization
		8-19. Media Considerations
		8-20. Operations with Outside Agencies
Section	IV. Specific Considerations by BOS
		8-21. Intelligence
		8-22. Maneuver
		8-23. Aviation Support
		8-24. Fires and Effects
		8-25. Mobility, Countermobility, and Survivability
		8-26. Air Defense
		8-27. Combat Service Support
		8-28. Command and Control
		8-29. Sequence of Stability Operations Actions
Section	V. Techniques
		8-30. Patrols
		8-31. Observation Posts
		8-32. Static Security Posts
		8-33. Searches
		8-34. Roadblocks and Other Checkpoints

CHAPTER 9. SUPPORT OPERATIONS

Section	I. Characteristics of Support Operations
		9-1. Types of Support Operations
		9-2. The Army's Role in Support Operations
		9-3. Forms of Support Operations
Section	II. Planning Considerations
		9-4. Considerations for Support Operations
		9-5. Planning Process
		9-6. Command and Control
		9-7. Maneuver
		9-8. Intelligence
		9-9. Information Gathering
		9-10. Fires and Effects
		9-11. Mobility, Countermobility, and Survivability
		9-12. Air Defense
		9-13. Logistics
		9-14. Other Planning Considerations
Section	III. Pattern of Operations
		9-15. Response
		9-16. Recovery
		9-17. Restoration
Section	IV. Sequence of Operations
		9-18. Movement into the Area of Operations
		9-19. Establishing the Base of Operations
		9-20. Maintenance of Support
		9-21. Terminating Operations
		9-22. Transition to Combat
Section	V. Training Considerations
		9-23. Training for Support Operations
		9-24. Specific Training for DSO or FHA Missions

CHAPTER 10. COMBAT SUPPORT

Section	I. Fires and Effects
		10-1. Mission and Capabilities
		10-2. Field Artillery
		10-3. Air Support
		10-4. Naval Gunfire
Section	II. Information Operations
		10-5. Civil Affairs
		10-6. Psychological Operations
		10-7. Public Affairs
Section	III. Maneuver Support
		10-8. Engineer Functions
		10-9. Staff Engineer Section
		10-10. Engineer Company
		10-11. Mobility
		10-12. Countermobility
		10-13. Survivability
		10-14. Military Police Support
		10-15. Military Police Company Organization
		10-16. Employment and Planning Considerations
Section	IV. Air and Missile Defense
		10-17. Air Defense Airspace Management Cell Capabilities
		10-18. Operational Functions
Section	V. Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical
		10-19. Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Organization
		10-20. Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Reconnaissance
		10-21. Smoke Operations
Section	VI. Intelligence
		10-22. Purpose
		10-23. Employment and Planning Considerations
		10-24. Military Intelligence Company
Section	VII. Signal
		10-25. Signal Support
		10-26. Signal Company Organization
		10-27. Brigade Signal Company Communications and Equipment
		10-28. Electronic Preparation of the Battlefield

CHAPTER 11. COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT OPERATIONS

Section	I. CSS Planning Considerations
		11-1. General Guidelines
		11-2. SBCT Responsibilities
		11-3. Predeployment Activities
Section	II. CSS in the SBCT
		11-4. Brigade Support Battalion
		11-5. Theater Contracting Support
		11-6. Human Resources Support
		11-7. Legal Support
		11-8. Religious Support
		11-9. Financial Management
		11-10. Enemy Prisoners of War Management
		11-11. Mortuary Affairs
		11-12. Communications
		11-13. Command and Control Systems
Section	III. Supply and Transportation Operations
		11-14. Classes of Supply
		11-15. Routine Resupply
		11-16. Immediate Resupply
		11-17. Supply and Transportation Considerations
		11-18. Supply and Transportation Augmentation
Section	IV. Maintenance Operations
		11-19. SBCT Maintenance Concept
		11-20. Maintenance Requirements
		11-21. Company Role
		11-22. Battalion Role
		11-23. SBCT Role
		11-24. Maintenance Augmentation
Section	V. Health Service Support
		11-25. Preventive Medicine
		11-26. Mental Health
		11-27. Soldiers Wounded in Action
		11-28. Health Service Support Augmentation
		11-29. Soldiers Killed in Action
Section	VI. Reconstitution and Weapons Replacement
		11-30. Reconstitution
		11-31. Personnel Replacement Procedures
		11-32. Replacement and Salvaging of Equipment
Section	VII. CSS From Outside the SBCT
		11-33. Intermediate Staging Base
		11-34. Contractor and Host Nation Support
		11-35. Explosive Ordnance Disposal
		11-36. Field Services
		11-37. General Engineering Support

APPENDIX A.	CONTINUOUS OPERATIONS
APPENDIX B.	ASSURED MOBILITY
APPENDIX C.	RISK MANAGEMENT AND FRATRICIDE AVOIDANCE
APPENDIX D.	ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS AND COMPLIANCE
APPENDIX E.	INTEGRATION OF SPECIAL OPERATIONS, MECHANIZED, AND LIGHT FORCES
APPENDIX F.	AVIATION SUPPORT OF GROUND OPERATIONS
APPENDIX G.	AIR ASSAULT OPERATIONS

	GLOSSARY
	REFERENCES
	AUTHENTICATION

DISTRIBUTION RESTRICTION: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

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Military

FM 3-21.31

THE STRYKER BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM

CONTENTS