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Best Military Books On Leadership, Strategy & Tactics

The Lightning Press publishes the best non-fiction reference books on military leadership and war strategy for active-duty and reserve military personnel and civilians.

SMARTsetsView All

The ''WARFIGHTING'' SUPERset (7 books)

Save the MOST when you order our SEVEN Most Popular Military Reference Titles together! Save $62.65! (Bundle the print and digital versions together...

The ''ARMY'' SMARTset (5 books)

Our "Army" SMARTset includes the following five books: AODS7: Army Operations & Doctrine (Multidomain Operations); BSS7: Battle Staff; SUTS3: Small Unit Tactics; TLS7: Leaders; and SMFLS5: Sustain...

''Multidomain Operations'' Planner's SMARTset (2 books)

BSS7: The Battle Staff SMARTbook, 7th Ed. is designed specifically to work hand-in-hand as a planner’s companion guide to AODS7: The Army Operations & Doctrine SMARTbook (Multidomain Operations), wi...

The ''OPFOR THREAT'' SMARTset (5 books)

Our ''OPFOR THREAT'' SMARTSet includes the following five books: OPFOR SMARTbook 1 - Chinese Military, OPFOR SMARTbook 2 - North Korean Military, OPFOR SMARTbook 3 - Russian Military, 3rd Ed., OPFOR S...

The ''JOINT FORCES + JOINT/INTERAGENCY'' SMARTset (2 books)

Save when you order our JFODS6: Joint Forces Operations & Doctrine SMARTbook and Joint/Interagency SMARTbook 1: Joint Strategic & Operational Planning (3rd Ed.) books together. Save $14.90!

The ''INFO + CYBER'' SMARTset (2 books)

Save when you order our INFO2 SMARTbook: Information Advantage and CYBER1-1: The Cyberspace Operations & Electronic Warfare SMARTbook (w/SMARTupdate 1) books together. Save $14.90! (...

The ''NAVY'' SMARTset (3 books)

Our Navy SMARTset consists of the three titles most often purchased by our Navy readers -- includes the Naval Operations & Planning SMARTbook, JFODS6: Joint Forces Operations & Doctrine SMARTbook, and...

The ''AIR FORCE'' SMARTset (3 books)

The Air Force SMARTset includes the three most requested titles by our Air Force readers: AFOPS2: The Air Force Operations & Planning SMARTbook (2nd Ed.), JFODS6: Joint Forces Operations & Doctrine SM...

The ''MAGTF + MEU'' SMARTset (2 books)

Save when you order our MAGTF Operations & Planning and MEU3: The Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) SMARTbook, 3rd Ed. books together. Save $14.90! (Bundle the print and digital versio...

The ''DISASTER RESPONSE'' SMARTset (3 books)

The Disaster Response SMARTset includes our three disaster response titles together in a discount set: DRS1: Federal/National Disaster Response; DRS2: Incident Command System; and DRS3: Disaster Prepa...


Military Reference: Multi-Service & SpecialtyView

Recognized as a “whole of government” doctrinal reference standard by military, national security and government professionals around the world, SMARTbooks comprise a comprehensive professional library designed for all levels of Service.

BSS7: The Battle Staff SMARTbook, 7th Ed.

BSS7: The Battle Staff SMARTbook, 7th Ed. is completely updated for 2023 to include FM 5-0 w/C1, Planning and Orders Production (2022); FM 6-0, Commander and Staff Organizat...

SUTS3: The Small Unit Tactics SMARTbook, 3rd Ed.

SUTS3: The Small Unit Tactics SMARTbook, 3rd Ed. is the third revised edition of The Small Unit Tactics SMARTbook, completely updated for 2019 to include ADP 3-90 Offense ...

TLS7: The Leader's SMARTbook, 7th Ed.

TLS7 is the seventh edition of The Leader’s SMARTbook, completely updated for 2023. TLS7 focuses on gaining the human advantage and leadership as a dynamic of combat ...

SMFLS5: The Sustainment & Multifunctional Logistics SMARTbook, 5th Ed.

SMFLS5:The Sustainment & Multifunctional Logistics SMARTbook, 5th Ed. has been completely updated for 2021. At 368 pages, SMFLS5 topics and references include the sustainme...

TAA2: The Military Engagement, Security Cooperation & Stability SMARTbook, 2nd Ed. (w/Change 1)

TAA2: The Military Engagement, Security Cooperation & Stability SMARTbook (with Change 1*) is the re-titled and re-focused second edition of The Stability, Peace & Coun...

Military Reference: Service-levelView

SMARTbooks can be used as quick reference guides during operations, as lesson plans in support of training exercises, and as study guides at military education and professional development courses.

AODS7: The Army Operations & Doctrine SMARTbook, 7th Ed.

AODS7: The Army Operations & Doctrine SMARTbook, 7th Ed. (Multidomain Operations) is completely updated with the 2022 edition of FM 3-0. AODS7 focuses on Multidomain Operations

MAGTF: The MAGTF Operations & Planning SMARTbook

The MAGTF Operations & Planning SMARTbook topics and chapters include Marine Corps roles & forces, the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF), expeditionary operations, Marine Co...

MEU3: The Marine Expeditionary Unit SMARTbook, 3rd Ed.

MEU3 is the third edition of the MEU SMARTbook, updated for 2020 with 34 pages of updated/additional material and a return of the original GBC plastic-comb binding. The Mar...

The Naval Operations & Planning SMARTbook

Providing an outline of Navy operational-level fundamentals and concepts, command, control, and organization, The Naval Operations & Planning SMARTbook covers essential Nav...

AFOPS2: The Air Force Operations & Planning SMARTbook, 2nd Ed.

AFOPS2: The Air Force Operations & Planning SMARTbook, 2nd Ed. (Guide to Curtis E. LeMay Center & Joint Air Operations Doctrine) is the second edition of our Air Force SMA...

Joint, Strategic, Interagency, & National SecurityView

The dawn of the 21st century presents a global environment characterized by regional instability, failed states, increased weapons proliferation, global terrorism and unconventional threats. Achieving national strategic objectives requires effective unified action resulting in unity of effort -- to include interagency, intergovernmental, nongovernmental and multinational partners. This is accomplished by collaboration, synchronization, and coordination in the use of the diplomatic, informational, military, and economic instruments of national power.

JFODS6: The Joint Forces Operations & Doctrine SMARTbook, 6th Ed.

JFODS6 is the sixth revised edition of The Joint Forces Operations & Doctrine SMARTbook. JFODS6 is completely updated for 2023 with new/updated material from the latest editions of JP 3-0 Joint...

Joint/Interagency SMARTbook 1 - Joint Strategic & Operational Planning, 3rd Ed.

JIA1-3 is the new third edition of our Joint/Interagency SMARTbook 1: Joint Strategic & Operational Planning (Planning for Planners), completely reorganized and updated with the latest join...

INFO2 SMARTbook: Information Advantage, 2nd Ed.

INFO2 SMARTbook: Information Advantage (Activities, Tasks & Capabilities) is the second edition of our INFO SMARTbook, completely updated for 2024 to include ADP 3-13, Information (Nov '23)...

CYBER1-1: The Cyberspace Operations & Electronic Warfare SMARTbook (w/SMARTupdate 1)

CYBER1-1: The Cyberspace Operations & Electronic Warfare SMARTbook (w/SMARTupdate 1*) (Multi-Domain Guide to Offensive/Defensive CEMA and CO) topics and chapters include cyber intr...

CTS1: The Counterterrorism, WMD & Hybrid Threat SMARTbook

CTS1: The Counterterrorism, WMD & Hybrid Threat SMARTbook topics and chapters include: the terrorist threat (characteristics, goals & objectives, organization, state-sponso...

Threat, OPFOR, Regional & CulturalView

In today’s complicated and uncertain world, it is impossible to predict the exact nature of future conflict that might involve U.S. forces. So the military must be ready to meet the challenges of any type of conflict, in all kinds of places, and against all kinds of threats. Additionally, this category includes resources related to countries, cultures and nations in the world, with emphasis on training, advising and assisting.

OPFOR SMARTbook 1 - Chinese Military

OPFOR1 topics and chapters include the strategic environment (understanding China, defense & military strategy, strategic & operational environments, territorial disputes), force struct...

OPFOR SMARTbook 2 - North Korean Military

OPFOR2 topics and chapters include the strategic environment (intro to North Korea, capabilities & intent, framework for military operations), force structure (KPA: Ground Forces, Navy, Air...

OPFOR SMARTbook 3 - Russian Military, 3rd Ed. (OPFOR 3-3)

Whereas previous editions were an examination of historical Soviet-era forces, OPFOR SMARTbook 3: Russian Military, 3rd Ed. (OPFOR 3-3) is completely updated for 2025 focusing instead on presen...

OPFOR SMARTbook 4 - Iran & the Middle East

OPFOR4 topics and chapters include the strategic environment, U.S. & Iran relations (Iran’s foreign and defence policies, conflicts and tensions, sanctions), Iran’s military (history, d...

OPFOR SMARTbook 5 - Irregular & Hybrid Threat

OPFOR5 topics and chapters include irregular and hybrid threat (components, organizations, strategy, operations, tactics), insurgents and guerillas forces (characteristics, organizations, TTPs)...

OPFOR SMARTbook 3 - Red Team Army, 2nd Ed. (PREVIOUS EDITION)

It has been nearly thirty years since a holistic explanation of the Soviet-based Opposing Force (OPFOR) was examined in the U.S. Army Field Manual 100-2 series. Recognizing this, OPFO...

Homeland Defense, DSCA, & Disaster ResponseView

Disaster can strike anytime, anywhere. It takes many forms—a hurricane, an earthquake, a tornado, a flood, a fire, a hazardous spill, or an act of terrorism. In the past decade alone, natural disasters of considerable severity resulted in 699 Presidential Disaster Declarations, an average of nearly six per month.

HDS1: The Homeland Defense & DSCA SMARTbook

HDS1: The Homeland Defense & DSCA SMARTbook chapters and topics include homeland defense (JP 3-28), defense support of civil authorities (JP 3-28), Army support of civil author...

Disaster Response SMARTbook 1 - Federal/National Disaster Response

This SMARTbook provides a detailed explanation of National Response Framework (NRF) and National Incident Management System (NIMS), as well as discussion of the Multiagency Coo...

Disaster Response SMARTbook 2 - Incident Command System (ICS)

Incident Command System chapters and topics include ICS Purpose, Features and Principles; ICS Command and Staff Functions; ICS Leadership and Management; ICS Dealing with Compl...

Disaster Response SMARTbook 3 - Disaster Preparedness, 2nd Ed.

Disaster Response SMARTbook 3 – Disaster Preparedness, 2nd Ed. (Personal, Community & Organizational Readiness) is the updated 376-page second edition of this book. The m...

CYBER1-1: The Cyberspace Operations & Electronic Warfare SMARTbook (w/SMARTupdate 1)

CYBER1-1: The Cyberspace Operations & Electronic Warfare SMARTbook (w/SMARTupdate 1*) (Multi-Domain Guide to Offensive/Defensive CEMA and CO) topics and chapters include cyber intr...

SMARTupdatesView

Keep your SMARTbook up-to-date with the latest doctrine! In addition to revisions and changes, we publish incremental "SMARTupdates" when feasible to update changes in doctrine or new publications in our SMARTbook series. These SMARTupdates are printed/produced in a format that allow the reader to insert the change pages into the original GBC-bound book by simply opening the comb-binding and replacing affected pages.

Change 1 (ADP 3-13/JP 3-04) SMARTupdate to INFO1

SMARTupdate 1 (ADP 3-13/JP 3-04) to INFO1 updates the first edition of the INFO1 SMARTbook (Jul ‘21) by incorporating changes from ADP 3-13, Information (Nov ‘23), JP 3-04,...

Change 1 (Aug ‘21) SMARTupdate to CYBER1

SMARTupdate 1 to CYBER1 (Aug ‘21) updates the first printing of CYBER1: The Cyberspace Operations & Electronic Warfare SMARTbook (Oct ‘19) by incorporating new materi...

Change 1 (July 2019 ADPs) SMARTupdate to AODS6

Change 1 (July 2019 APDs) SMARTupdate to AODS6 updates/replaces key material in the first printing of the AODS6: The Army Operations & Doctrine SMARTbook (ISBN 978-1-935886...

Books in DevelopmentView

Stay tuned as we will be releasing these great new titles and more over the next 12 to 18 months! Select a book below to see the projected release date and additional details.

Joint/Interagency SMARTbook 2 – Interagency Planning & Process

Joint operation planning consists of planning activities associated with joint military operations by combatant commanders (CCDRs) and their subordinate joint force commanders (JFCs) in response to...

BSS7-1: The Battle Staff SMARTbook, 7th Ed. (w/SMARTupdate 1)

BSS7-1: The Battle Staff SMARTbook, 7th Ed (w/SMARTupdate 1*) is completely updated for 2024 to include FM 5-0 w/C1, Planning and Orders Production (2022); FM 6-0, Commander...