Fm 31 28 Fouo Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat 1 December 1999 25 [extra Quality] [ iPhone ]
FM 31-28, Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat (SFAUC) , dated 1 December 1999, is a highly specialized U.S. Army Field Manual that provides the doctrinal foundation for elite urban operations. Classified as For Official Use Only (FOUO)
Techniques to handle hostage situations or time-sensitive targets.
SFAUC teaches operators how to forcibly enter buildings, doors, and windows through both mechanical means (using tools like crowbars) and explosive methods (using demolitions) to gain a foothold in the objective. FM 31-28, Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat (SFAUC)
FM 31-28 provided the necessary "tip of the spear" capabilities for Special Forces to engage in Direct Action operations in urban landscapes, distinguishing their skills from standard infantry units, which were later highlighted in the U.S. Army Special Forces Unconventional Warfare Doctrine analysis . FOUO Classification and Purpose
The manual, issued on 1 December 1999 , represents a critical, specialized document in the evolution of U.S. Army Special Operations Forces (ARSOF) tactics. Classified as For Official Use Only (FOUO) , this manual was designed to provide the specific techniques, tactics, and procedures (TTPs) necessary for Special Forces (SF) teams to operate in highly complex urban environments. SFAUC teaches operators how to forcibly enter buildings,
The manual is designated as , meaning its distribution is restricted to military personnel and authorized contractors to protect sensitive tactical procedures. While related doctrine like FM 3-06 (Urban Operations) is often public, FM 31-28 remains a more niche, specialized document for the Special Forces community. Operational Impact
: Focuses on precision shooting in confined spaces, including rapid target acquisition and specialized "surgical" shooting techniques required for urban environments. FOUO Classification and Purpose The manual, issued on
For years, the "For Official Use Only" (FOUO) stamp kept FM 31-28 out of public hands. This wasn't because the physics of shooting or breaching were secret, but because the manual detailed specific that adversaries could use to develop countermeasures.
FM 31-28 (1999) was more than just a manual; it was a strategic response to a changing world. It formally pivoted the mindset of the Green Berets toward the complexities of the 21st-century battlefield, recognizing that the fight would not just be in the jungles or mountains but increasingly in the world's sprawling urban centers. Its principles and the training it codified have become the bedrock of modern U.S. Army special operations urban combat doctrine, a testament to its enduring value.
: Employing tactical shotguns loaded with frangible breaching rounds to instantly obliterate door hinges and deadbolts.