Leaders Book Notes - FM 3-0

By SMA Kenneth PrestonJune 20, 2008

Leader Book Notes - FM 3-0

Leaders,

America is at war and should expect to remain fully engaged throughout the world for the next several decades in a persistent conflict against an enemy dedicated to defeating the United States as a Nation and as a society.

Critics say the Army historically trains for the last war that is no longer the case. Our Army leadership recently announced the release of FM 3-0, Operations, a blueprint for an uncertain future. This doctrinal change will better prepare us for the next war.

FM 3-0 is our capstone warfighting doctrine; it describes the full breadth of operations and is our blueprint for operating in an uncertain future. This is our first major doctrinal change in the Army since 9-11 and is the result of six years of wartime experiences in an increasingly complex and volatile strategic security environment. The centerpiece of the entire manual is the operational concept based on three integrated capabilities, offensive, defensive and stability operations. The biggest single change to our approach to operations is the acknowledgement that the 21st century warfight will require stability operations.

The updated version of FM 3-0 recognizes that offensive, defensive and stability operations all occur nearly simultaneously on the battlefield. Commanders and circumstances on the ground dictate the proportion of these operations. FM 3-0 recognizes that stability operations are part of the current and future battlefield, regardless of whether they are major combat operations. The emphasis on our new operational doctrine ensures that stability operations are a more conscious portion of what we prepare for and execute in the future.

Stability operations encompass various military missions, tasks, and activities conducted outside the United States. Working in coordination with other instruments of national power to maintain or reestablish a safe and secure environment, stability operations provide essential governmental services, emergency infrastructure reconstruction, and humanitarian relief.

Stability operations aim to establish conditions that support the transition to legitimate host nation governance, a functioning society, and a viable market economy. Within the context of current operations worldwide, stability operations are often as important and, in some cases, more important than offensive and defensive operations. It is our responsibility as Senior Non-commissioned Officer's to train our Soldiers on the full spectrum of operations ranging from stable peace to general war.

We owe our Soldiers the best training available, starting with our doctrine. I urge you to review and become familiar with FM 3-0 and the doctrinal changes emphasizing stability operations. With an understanding of this key doctrinal change, I expect you to impact your units training, focusing events on balancing stability operations training with our more traditional offensive and defensive operations.

Army Strong!

SMA