text: Preface
  Army FM 3-96 provides doctrine for the brigade combat team (BCT). This manual describes how the BCT, as
  part of a joint team,shapes operational environments,prevents conflict,conducts large-scale ground combat,and
  consolidates gains against a peer threat. FM 3-96 describes relationships, organizational roles and functions,
  capabilities and limitations,and responsibilities within the BCT. Tactics,the employment,ordered arrangement,
  and directed actionsof forces in relation to each other (ADP 3-90),are discussed in this manual and are intended
  to be used as a guide. They are not prescriptive. FM 3-96 applies to the three maneuver BCT types: Infantry,
  Stryker,and Armored. Thismanual supersedes FM 3-96,dated8October 2015.
  The principal audience for FM 3-96 is the commanders, staffs, officers, and noncommissioned officers of the
  brigade,battalions,and squadron within the BCT. The audience also includes the United StatesArmy Training
  and Doctrine Command institutions and components,and the United StatesArmy Special Operations Command.
  This manual serves as an authoritative reference for personnel developing doctrine,materiel and force structure,
  institutional and unit training, and standard operating procedures for the BCT. For lower maneuver echelon
  specific discussions, see the appropriate Army techniques publication for that organization.
  To comprehend the doctrine contained in this manual, readers must first understand the characteristics of the
  Army Profession (trust, honorable service, military expertise, stewardship, and esprit de corps) as described in
  ADP 1 and the principles of Army leadership as described in ADP 6-22 and FM 6-22. Readers also must
  understand the principles and tenets of unified land operations as well as decisive action,and the links between
  the operational and tactical levels of war described in JP 3-0; ADP 3-0, and FM 3-0; FM3-94; ATP3-91, and
  ATP 3-92. In addition,readers should understand the fundamentals of the operations process found in ADP5-0,
  associated with offensive and defensive operations contained in ADP 3-90, FM 3-90-1, and reconnaissance,
  securityand tactical enabling tasks contained in FM 3-90-2. The reader must comprehend how stability operations
  tasks described in ADP 3-07 and FM3-07, carry over and affect offensive and defensive operations and vice
  versa. Readers must understand how the operation process fundamentally relates to the Army’s design
  methodology,military decision-makingprocess,and troop leading procedures and the exercise of command and
  control as described in ADP 6-0,FM 6-0,and ATP6-0.5.
  Commanders, staffs, and subordinates ensure their decisions and actions comply with applicable U.S.,
  international, and in some cases, host-nation laws and regulations. Commanders at all levels ensure that their
  Soldiers operate in accordance with the law of war and the rules of engagement. (See FM 6-27.)
  FM 3-96 uses joint terms where applicable. Selected joint and Army terms and definitions appear in both the
  glossary and the text. Terms for which FM 3-96 is the proponent publication (the authority) are marked with an
  asterisk (*) in the glossary. Definitions for which FM 3-96 is the proponent publication are boldfaced in the text
  and the term is italicized. For other definitions shown in the text, the term is italicized, and the number of the
  proponent publication follows the definition.
  FM 3-96 applies to the Active Army,the Army National Guard/theArmy National Guard of the United States,
  and the United StatesArmy Reserve unless otherwise stated.
  The proponent for FM 3-96 is the United StatesArmy Maneuver Center ofExcellence. The preparing agency is
  the Maneuver Center of Excellence, Directorate of Training and Doctrine, Doctrine and Collective Training
  Division. Send comments and recommendations on a DAForm2028, (Recommended Changes to Publications
  and Blank Forms) to: Commanding General, Maneuver Center of Excellence, Directorate of Training and
  Doctrine, ATTN: ATZK-TDD, 1 Karker Street, Fort Benning, GA 31905-5410; by email to
  usarmy.benning.mcoe.mbx.doctrine@mail.mil;or submit an electronic DAForm2028.