Fm 31 28 Fouo Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat 1 December 1999 25 Direct
Tailored to SF missions, focusing on specialized, non-standard equipment and highly trained tactics.
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.
Conventional manuals (FM 90-10-1) focused on battalion-and-brigade level combined arms: tanks, artillery, and engineers clearing block by block. That was useless for a 12-man Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA). On the other hand, traditional SF manuals focused on jungle or rural guerrilla operations. was created to fill this void.
: Much of the shooting doctrine derives from foundational pistol and rifle mechanics pioneered at elite civilian and military shooting academies. That was useless for a 12-man Operational Detachment
This manual is classified and distribution is restricted to authorized personnel.
Strategic movement to targets via helicopter insertion or parachute. specialforcestraining.info Distribution and Classification Classification: The document was originally designated as "For Official Use Only" (FOUO) Distribution Restriction
The FM 31-28 was, in essence, the official manual for the course, a rigorous training program designed to forge Green Berets into masters of close-quarters battle (CQB). : Much of the shooting doctrine derives from
If you possess a physical copy of , it is likely a controlled item. According to AR 25-55 (Department of the Army Freedom of Information Act Program), such outdated FOUO documents should be destroyed or decontrolled. However, many veteran SF operators retained personal copies – some of which have appeared in online auctions, only to be swiftly removed.
Here is an in-depth analysis of the doctrine, tactics, and legacy of this vital Special Forces text. The Evolution of Urban Doctrine
: Techniques for safely and effectively clearing buildings, a fundamental task in urban combat. This includes room clearing, hallway engagements, and the use of explosives for breaching. rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs)
Using tools like halligan bars, battering rams, and ballistic shotguns to defeat doors, gates, and windows.
Often mentioned alongside other 1990s SOF manuals, including FM 31-19 (Military Free-Fall) and specialized Special Forces Mounted Operations manuals .
: Strategies for navigating the "three-dimensional" urban battlefield—considering height (snipers, rooftops) as much as depth and width. This includes insertion by foot, vehicle, or air in both permissive and non-permissive environments. specialforcestraining.info Historical Significance Evolution of Strategy
: Later expanded upon in resources like the USSOCOM Combat Convoy Handbook , these principles outline how to survive vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs), rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), and direct fire ambushes within narrow city streets.