Audiobook FM 3-0 Operations proves popular with Soldiers - 70,000 downloads in first quarter of 2021

FORT EUSTIS, Virginia – Field Manual (FM) 3-0 is periodically re-written, updated and released by the Combined Arms Doctrine Directorate (CADD), part of U. S. Army Training and Doctrine Command's (TRADOC), Mission Command Center of Excellence. The manual focuses on large-scale combat operations and provides doctrine on how Army forces conduct sustained, large-scale combat operations with current force structure in a joint environment. FM 3-0 also sets the foundational basis for tactics, techniques and procedures across the rest of Army doctrine.

The audiobook version, released in 2019 to coincide with the Army’s 244th Birthday, has since been downloaded more than 2,900 times a month and shows no signs of tapering off.

“Along with Mobile Division audiobooks we’ve released subsequently, such as FM 6-22 (Army Leadership and the Profession) and ADP 3-90 (Offense and Defense), audiobook Field Manual 3-0 (Operations) has done very, very well with Solders. Downloads are counted in the tens of thousands monthly.” said Robert Roberts, Project Manager of the digital audiobook development program at TADLP. “Each one of the books I’ve just mentioned has exceeded 70,000 downloads in the first quarter of 2021.” he said. “and those numbers are holding steady as word gets out among units and commands. It’s satisfying to track and share the download numbers as they come in each month.”

Each of the of slate of 16 audiobooks currently on the Central Army registry (CAR), are racking up brisk download numbers every month. “Requests for audiobook versions of Army Field Manuals and Army Doctrine Publications (ADPs) are back-logged and we are moving them out for release as soon as they are written and approved for the format.” Roberts said.

Each publication is authenticated doctrine, abridged for the audio format. The convenience of the audio versions is one of the many reasons cited to account for the high numbers of downloads. The audiobooks can be easily accessed and used on a smartphone, iPod, computer laptop or any portable device, anytime and anywhere.

"Every Mobile Division audiobook we produce is to high industry standards." said Matt McLaughlin, Mobile Division Chief for TADLP, “Our audiobooks are read by professional broadcasters and recorded in modern studios to ensure a quality experience for the listener. Doctrine combined with convenience, portability and a intuitive interface is very appealing to young and older Soldiers alike, and the comments we see online are exceptionally complimentary and motivating - Soldiers call these audiobooks ‘Game-changers’ and post the links on social media with comments like ‘These [audiobooks] are the best idea the Army has had since DFAC Thanksgivings,’ which is especially gratifying for everyone in our team.” McLaughlin said.

The audiobook FM 3-0 Operations can be accessed easily without a CaC card on any personal mobile device at https://rdl.train.army.mil/catalog-ws/view/FM3-0Audiobook/index.html

All TADLP published audiobooks can be accessed on any laptop, desktop computer, smartphone or tablet at https://rdl.train.army.mil/catalog/search?current=true&search_terms=%23Audiobook

 ABOUT THE ARMY DISTRIBUTED LEARNING PROGRAM (TADLP)

Established by the Chief of Staff of the Army in 1996, the Commanding General of Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) was appointed the Executive Agent for TADLP and is the full-line authority for the centralized management and integration of the program. Located at Fort Eustis in Virginia, the TADLP Director is Ms. Helen Remily.

The Army Distributed Learning Program (TADLP), improves Army readiness by providing tailored distributed training and education to Soldiers, leaders, and Army civilians from a responsive and accessible - frequently mobile - delivery capability. Distributed Learning (DL) is a modern, proven instructional model used by the Army to deliver individual, collective and self developmental training and education anytime, anywhere. TADLP leads the way in creating user-friendly, pliant and adaptable distributed and distance learning models that leverage emerging technologies to distribute learning across an array of portable devices in a variety of formats depending on the needs of the user. To learn more about the people and facilities of TADLP visit https://tadlp.tradoc.army.mil

ABOUT THE U.S. ARMY TRAINING AND DOCTRINE COMMAND (TRADOC)

The U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) was created on July 1st, 1973.

For nearly half a century TRADOC has fundamentally transformed the U.S. Army into the best trained, best equipped, best led, and best organized modern land power in the world today. TRADOC shapes Army forces through four primary functions: Recruitment and Training, Leadership Development, Doctrine and Integrating Capabilities.

Headquartered at Fort Eustis, in eastern Virginia, TRADOC executes its mission through five subordinate commands and centers, U.S. Army Center of Military History, The U.S. Army Combined Arms Center (located at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas), The U.S. Army Center for Initial Military Training and the U.S. Army Recruiting Command (located at Fort Knox, Kentucky).

The command has a global perspective and oversees 32 Army schools organized under eight Centers of Excellence, each focused on a separate area of expertise within the Army (i.e. Maneuver and Signal). TRADOC trains more than 500,000 Soldiers and service members each year. To learn more about the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command visit their website at https://www.tradoc.army.mil/