Guide to Joint Warfighting, Operations & Planning

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 Campaigns and Operations (Jun ‘22), JP 5-0 Joint Planning (Dec ‘20), JP 3-33 Joint Force Headquarters (Jun ‘22), and JP 1 Volumes I and II Joint Warfighting and the Joint Force (Jun ‘20), Additional topics and references include Joint Air, Land, Maritime and Special Operations (JPs 3-30, 3-31, 3-32 & 3-05).

The ultimate purpose of the Armed Forces of the United States is to defend the homeland and win the nation’s wars. The four strategic uses of the military instrument of national power - assurance; both forms of coercion, deterrence and compellence; and forcible action - are implemented through campaigns, operations, and activities that vary in purpose, scale, risk, and intensity, and occur across a competition continuum.

The competition continuum describes a world of enduring competition conducted through a mixture of cooperation, competition, and armed conflict. Competition is a fundamental aspect of international relations; as state and non-state actors seek to protect and advance their interests in pursuit of influence, advantage, and leverage, they continually compete over incompatible aims. Armed conflict occurs when a state or non-state actor uses lethal force as the primary means to satisfy its interests. Armed conflict varies in intensity and ranges from crisis response and limited contingency operations to large-scale combat operations.

The capability of the Armed Forces of the United States to operate as a cohesive joint force is a key advantage in any operational environment. Integrating Service components’ forces under a single joint force commander (JFC) maximizes the effectiveness and efficiency of the joint force. The joint force conducts campaigns and operations in a complex, volatile, security environment characterized by contested norms and persistent disorder. National security threats are transregional, all-domain, and multifunctional.

Joint planning is the deliberate process of determining how (the ways) to use military capabilities (the means) in time and space to achieve objectives (the ends) while considering the associated risks. Joint planning ties the military instrument of national power to the achievement of national security objectives and transforms national strategic objectives into operational design/approaches, lines of operation, and operational objectives, which in turn are carried out through tactical actions.

A joint task force (JTF) is the most common command and control option for conducting joint operations. A JTF may be established when the scope, complexity, or other factors of the operation require capabilities of Services from at least two MILDEPs operating under a single JFC. Commanders must integrate the capabilities and synchronize the operations of air, land, maritime, space, special operations, and cyberspace forces to defeat peer enemies.

Multidomain Operations

AODS7-1: The Army Operations & Doctrine SMARTbook, 7th Ed. (w/SMARTupdate 1*) is completely updated with the 2025 edition of FM 3-0. AODS7 focuses on Multidomain Operations and features rescoped chapters on generating and applying combat power: command & control (ADP 6-0), movement and maneuver (ADPs 3-90, 3-07, 3-28, 3-05), intelligence (ADP 2-0), fires (ADP 3-19), sustainment (ADP 4-0), & protection (ADP 3-37).

* SMARTupdate 1 (FM 3-0/2025) to AODS7 updates the first printing of the AODS7 SMARTbook by incorporating doctrinal and terminology changes from FM 3-0, Operations (Mar ‘25); ADP 3-37, Protection (Jan ‘24); ADP 3-13, Information (Nov ‘23); ATP 2-01.3 (C2), Intelligence Preparation of the Operational Environment (Jan ‘24); FM 4-0, Sustainment (Aug ‘24); and FM 3-90, Tactics (May ‘23); along with minor pen-and-ink changes. An asterisk marks changed pages. (Learn more at www.thelightningpress.com/smartupdates/)

The Army’s primary mission is to organize, train, and equip its forces to conduct prompt and sustained land combat to defeat enemy ground forces and seize, occupy, and defend land areas. Army forces shape operational environments, counter aggression on land during crisis, prevail during large-scale ground combat, and consolidate gains.

Army forces achieve objectives through the conduct of operations. Operations vary in many ways. They occur in all kinds of physical environments and vary in scale of forces involved and duration.

The Army provides forces capable of transitioning to combat operations, fighting for information, producing intelligence, adapting to unforeseen circumstances, and defeating enemy forces. Army forces employ capabilities from multiple domains in a combined arms approach that creates complementary and reinforcing effects through multiple domains while preserving combat power to maintain options for the joint force commander.

Combat power is the total means of destructive and disruptive force that a military unit/formation can apply against an enemy at a given time. It is the ability to fight. The complementary and reinforcing effects that result from synchronized operations yield a powerful blow that overwhelms enemy forces and creates friendly momentum. Army forces deliver that blow through a combination of five dynamics: leadership, firepower, information, mobility, and survivability.

The warfighting functions contribute to generating and applying combat power. Well sustained units able to move and maneuver bring combat power to bear against the opponent. Joint and Army indirect fires complement and reinforce organic firepower in maneuver units. Survivability is a function of protection tasks that focus friendly strengths against enemy weaknesses. Information contributes to the disruption and destruction of enemy forces. Intelligence determines how and where to best apply combat power against enemy weaknesses. C2 enables leadership, the most important qualitative aspect of combat power.

Planning & Conducting Multidomain Operations

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 and Staff Organization and Operations (2022), FMs 1-02.1/.2, Military Terms & Symbols (2024); and more!

* SMARTupdate 1 (ATP 2-01.3 (C2)/FM 1-02.2) to BSS7 updates the first printing of the BSS7 SMARTbook (Oct ‘23) by incorporating terminology changes from ATP 2-01.3 (C2), Intelligence Preparation of the Operational Environment (Jan ‘24) and changed material from FM 1-02.2 Military Symbols (Feb ‘24), along with minor pen-and-ink changes. An asterisk marks changed pages. (Learn more at www.thelightningpress.com/smartupdates/)

Focusing on planning and conducting multidomain operations (FM 3-0 Operations, 2022), BSS7-1 covers the operations process; commander and staff activities; the five Army planning methodologies - Army Design Methodology (ADM), Military Decision-making Process (MDMP), Troop Leading Procedures (TLP), Rapid Decision-Making and Synchronization Process (RDSP), & Army Problem Solving; integrating processes (intelligence preparation of the operational environment (IPOE), information collection, targeting, risk management, and knowledge management); plans and orders; mission command, C2 warfighting function tasks, command posts, liaison; rehearsals & after action reviews; and operational terms and military symbols.

The Army’s framework for organizing and putting command and control into action is the operations process—the major command and control activities performed during operations: planning, preparing, executing, and continuously assessing the operation. Commanders use the operations process to drive the conceptual and detailed planning necessary to understand their operational environment (OE); visualize and describe the operation’s end state and operational approach; make and articulate decisions; and direct, lead, and assess operations.

Commanders, staffs, and subordinate headquarters employ the operations process to organize efforts, integrate the warfighting functions across multiple domains, and synchronize forces to accomplish missions. This includes integrating numerous processes and activities within the headquarters and with higher, subordinate, supporting, and supported units. Key integrating processes that occur throughout the operations process include intelligence preparation of the battlefield, information collection, targeting, risk management, and knowledge management.

Planning requires the integration of both conceptual thinking and detailed analysis. Army leaders employ several methodologies for planning, determining the appropriate mix based on the scope and understanding of the problem, time available, and availability of a staff. Army planning methodologies include the Army design methodology (ADM), military decision-making process (MDMP), Troop leading procedures (TLP), rapid decision-making and synchronization process (RDSP),and Army problem solving.

Commanders and staffs integrate the warfighting functions and synchronize the force to adapt to changing circumstances throughout the operations process. They use several integrating processes to do this. An integrating process consists of a series of steps that incorporate multiple disciplines to achieve a specific end. For example, during planning, the military decision-making process (MDMP) integrates the commander and staff in a series of steps to produce a plan or order. Key integrating processes that occur throughout the operations process include intelligence preparation of the battlefield, information collection, targeting, risk management, and knowledge management.

Planning & Conducting Tactical Operations

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 and Defense (Jul ‘19), FM 3-0 Operations w/Change 1 (Dec ‘17), FMs 3-90-1 & -2 (May ‘13), ATP 3-21.8 Infantry Platoon and Squad (Apr ‘16), ATP 3-21.10 Infantry Rifle Company (May ‘18), TC 3-21-76 The Ranger Handbook (Apr ‘17), and the latest versions of more than 20 additional references. SUTS3 also features a return of our premium GBC plastic-comb binding for a true open-flat reference experience!

At 344-pages, chapters and topics include tactical mission fundamentals, the offense, the defense, stability and counterinsurgency operations, tactical enabling tasks (security, reconnaissance, relief in place, passage of lines, encirclement, and troop movement), special purpose attacks (ambush and raid), urban and regional environments (urban, fortified areas, desert, cold region, mountain, and jungle operations), patrols and patrolling.

Tactics is the employment and ordered arrangement of forces in relation to each other. Through tactics, commanders use combat power to accomplish missions. The tactical-level commander uses combat power in battles, engagements, and small-unit actions.

The nature of close combat in land operations is unique. Combatants routinely come face-to-face with one another in large numbers in a wide variety of operational environments comprising all types of terrain. When other means fail to drive enemy forces from their positions, forces close with and destroy or capture them.

Offensive actions are combat operations conducted to defeat and destroy enemy forces and seize terrain, resources, and population centers. They impose the commander’s will on the enemy. A commander may also conduct offensive actions to deprive the enemy of resources, seize decisive terrain, deceive or divert the enemy, develop intelligence, or hold an enemy in position. The four primary offensive tasks are movement to contact, attack, exploitation, and pursuit.

A defensive task is a task conducted to defeat an enemy attack, gain time, economize forces, and develop conditions favorable for offensive or stability tasks. Although on the defense, the commander remains alert for opportunities to attack the enemy. A defending force does not wait passively to be attacked, aggressively seeking ways of attriting and weakening enemy forces before close combat begins. There are three basic defensive tasks—area defense, mobile defense, and retrograde.

The Small Unit Tactics SMARTbook translates and bridges operational-level doctrine into tactical application -- in the form of tactics, techniques and procedures -- and provides the “how to” at the small-unit level as a ready reference at the battalion, company, platoon, squad and fire team level.

Leadership as a Dynamic of Combat Power

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 power (FM 3-0, 2022), developing leaders, and training, the most important thing the Army does to prepare for operations. Topics and chapters include Army leadership and the profession (ADP 7-0); developing leaders (FM 6-22); counseling, coaching, and mentoring (ATP 6-22.1); Army team building (ATP 6-22.6); training to fight and win (ADP 7-0 / FM 7-0 / FM 7-22); planning & preparation: training guidance, meetings, schedules, briefs; executing training events and exercises, holistic health & fitness (H2F); training evaluations, assessments, and after action reviews.

Combat power is the total means of destructive and disruptive force that a military unit/formation can apply against an enemy at a given time. It is the ability to fight.

Leadership is the most essential dynamic of combat power. Leadership is the activity of influencing people by providing purpose, direction, and motivation to accomplish the mission and improve the organization.

The human dimension encompasses people and the interaction between individuals and groups, how they understand information and events, make decisions, generate will, and act within an operational environment. A human advantage occurs when a force holds the initiative in terms of training, morale, perception, and will.

Today’s Army demands trained and ready units with agile, proficient leaders. Army leaders are the competitive advantage the Army possesses that neither technology nor advanced weaponry and platforms can replace. Developing leaders is a complex and complicated undertaking because it is primarily a human endeavor—requiring constant involvement, assessment, and refinement.

The Army relies on effective teams to perform tasks, achieve objectives, and accomplish missions. Building and maintaining teams that operate effectively is essential. Team building is a continuous process of enabling a group of people to reach their goals and improve their effectiveness through leadership and various exercises, activities, and techniques.

The Army trains to fight and win—it is what we do in order to preserve the peace and to decisively defeat our enemies. We do this through challenging, relevant, and realistic training performed to the highest standards. The Army trains the way it operates. It does this by replicating in training how we expect to fight,closing the gap between operations and training.

To do this, the Army trains by developing proficiencies in mission-essential tasks, weapon systems, and the effective integration and employment of both. These components of training readiness provide the backbone to the development of unit readiness—the Army’s first priority.

Operational & Tactical Level Sustainment Operations

SMFLS6: The Sustainment & Multifunctional Logistics SMARTbook, 6th Ed. (Operational & Tactical Level Sustainment Operations) has been completely updated for 2025. SMFLS6 topics and references include the sustainment warfighting function (ADP 4-0); sustainment operations (FM 4-0), sustainment at echelon -- theater (ATP 4-93), field army and corps (ATP 4-92), division (ATP 4-91), and brigade (ATP 4-90); sustainment execution (logistics, financial management, personnel services, & health services support); sustainment planning; joint logistics (JP 4-0); deployment & redeployment (ATP 3-35); and more than a dozen additional new/updated Army sustainment references.

The sustainment warfighting function is the related tasks and systems that provide support and services to ensure freedom of action, extended operational reach, and prolong endurance. Sustainment determines the depth and duration of Army operations. Successful sustainment enables freedom of action by increasing the number of options available to the commander. Sustainment is essential for retaining and exploiting the initiative. The sustainment warfighting function consists of four elements: logistics, financial management, personnel services and health service support.

Sustainment is essential for generating combat power and conducting operations as the Army performs its strategic roles. Sustainment provides the operational commander the freedom of action, extended operational reach, and prolonged endurance necessary to shape operational environments (OEs), counter aggression on land during crisis, prevail during large-scale ground combat, and consolidate gains.

The effectiveness of the sustainment warfighting function is dependent upon actions of units and staffs at the operational and tactical levels. Execution is putting a plan into action by applying combat power to accomplish the mission. It focuses on actions to seize, retain, and exploit the initiative. Sustainment determines the depth and duration of Army operations. It is essential to retaining and exploiting the initiative and it provides the support necessary to maintain operations until mission accomplishment. Failure to provide sustainment could cause a pause or culmination of an operation resulting in the loss of the initiative.

The publication of FM 3-0 in October 2022 codified multidomain operations as the Army’s operational concept. FM 4-0 describes sustainment operations in support of the Army’s operational concept and how the Army supports the joint force in the execution of campaigns. It is the Army’s doctrine for sustainment operations across the competition continuum at the theater strategic, operational, and tactical levels of warfare. This publication emphasizes sustainment fundamentals and tactics to provide all commanders, staffs, and Soldiers an understanding of sustainment operations. FM 4-0 describes how the Army and its organizations conduct sustainment operations and is the keystone Army doctrine reinforced in Army techniques publications including ATP 4-91, ATP 4-92, and ATP 4-93.

Planning & Conducting C-UAS/sUAS Operations

The Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System & Drone Warfare SMARTbook is new for 2026. At 344-pgs, chapters and topics include the strategic environment (DoD C-UAS, operational environment, multidomain operations, force structure transformation initiative); the unmanned aircraft system (UAS) threat (China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Hybrid, Homeland); air & missile defense (SHORAD/HIMAD); planning & preparing (roles, AMD, asset protection); layered defense (passive and active defense measures); engagement operations & techniques (ADA & non-dedicated assets, AD warnings & controls); integrating sUAS into operations; fires and targeting (D3A); and equipment (ADA/C-UAS systems and capabilities).

* This is the second printing of C-UAS/SUAS(1), incorporating Addendum 1. (Readers of the first printing (Nov ‘25) can obtain Addendum 1 for free at: www.TheLightningPress.com/smartupdates).

Across the globe—from Ukraine to the U.S. homeland—unmanned systems are transforming warfare by reshaping tactics, compressing innovation cycles, and challenging operational principles. Their affordability and accessibility have democratized precision strike.

Since 2022, small tactical unmanned aircraft system (UAS) and first-person-view (FPV) drones have revolutionized warfare. Unmanned aircraft systems have been fielded in every military service, ranging from handheld micro-UAS to medium-sized tactical systems to full-grown remotely piloted aircraft (RPA). Globally, nations such as China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran have accelerated drone innovation, producing systems rivaling Western models and reshaping the modern battlefield.

Air defense artillery assets provide the backbone of layered counter-UAS (C-UAS) defense, integrating sensors, weapons, and command systems to detect, track, and defeat UAS. Effective C-UAS operations blend Soldier actions, survivability, and systems from handheld EW to advanced defeat technologies. Continuous protection planning aligns capabilities to defend critical areas and maintain mission effectiveness.

Layered, defense-in-depth structures combine passive and active measures to overlap defenses and eliminate gaps. Active defenses deny enemy initiative, while passive measures reduce vulnerability through coordination of sensors, weapons, and systems. Layered defenses increase in density as UAS threats approach protected areas, requiring coordination and co-location of sensors, weapons, and systems to close dead spaces.

Ground and aerial sensors provide airspace surveillance and early warning, feeding vertically and horizontally integrated kill chains. Engagement authorities select the “best shooter” to achieve keep-out ranges and altitudes, coordinating AMD C2 to defeat threats while minimizing fratricide. ADA defends ballistic and cruise missiles, hypersonics, manned aircraft and UAS. Non-ADA units and maneuver forces must supplement defenses with organic weapons and C-sUAS; engagements, lethal or non-lethal, use the best system per ROE, enabled by detection.

With the U.S. Army buying one million new drones of all types over the next two to three years, sUAS are now employed by maneuver units in large numbers in a wide range of roles, fundamentally altering the conduct of military ground operations. sUAS missions include reconnaissance (SRR, MRR, LRR) with varying altitudes, ranges, and deconfliction needs, and attack/strike (launched effects) including loitering munitions and one-way attacks.

Air & missile defense, counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS), and small unmanned aircraft (sUAS) operations -- including strike coordination and reconnaissance (SCAR) -- are all integrated within the fires warfighting function. Commanders must execute and integrate fires, in combination with the other elements of combat power, to create and converge effects and achieve the desired end state.

Targeting is the process of selecting and prioritizing targets and matching the appropriate response to them, considering operational requirements and capabilities. It is an integral part of the operations process that organizes the efforts of the commander and staff to integrate and synchronize fires in operations. Targeting seeks to create specific desired effects through lethal and nonlethal actions.

Air defense artillery (ADA) systems are arrayed throughout a theater. Composite ADA systems are generically referred to as high-to medium-altitude air defense (HIMAD), and singular systems typically in the context of short-range air defense (SHORAD).

Countering the UAS threat requires the employment of equipment and systems ranging from organic weapons, to specialized handheld electromagnetic (EW) and lethal devices, to complex systems designed specifically to detect, identify, and defeat UAS.