text: Preface
  FM 3-50 is the Army’s doctrinal publication for personnel recovery. It presents doctrinal guidance and direction
  for Army personnel recovery operations and is the foundation for developing tactics and techniques, handbooks,
  and unit standard operating procedures (SOPs). It provides operational direction for commanders, staffs, and
  trainers at all echelons, from company to theater army. This doctrine helps ensure all echelons of the Army
  organize, train, and equip to conduct personnel recovery and prevent isolating events.
  The principal audience for FM 3-50 is Army commanders and staffs responsible for the planning, preparation,
  execution, and assessment of personnel recovery operations. This publication provides guidance for other
  Service commanders and staffs who command and work with Army forces. This publication is also a resource
  for United States government agencies and other unified action partners who seek to understand the role of the
  Army in safeguarding and recovering Soldiers, Army civilians, and contractors authorized to accompany the
  force.
  Commanders, staffs, and subordinates ensure their decisions and actions comply with applicable United States,
  international and, in some cases, host-nation laws and regulations. Commanders at all levels ensure their
  Soldiers operate in accordance with the law of war and the rules of engagement (see FM 27-10).
  Army personnel recovery doctrine is consistent with joint personnel recovery doctrine, applicable Department
  of Defense directives (DODDs) and Department of Defense instructions (DODIs), Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
  of Staff instructions and manuals, Army policy and regulation, and federal law. It is Department of Defense
  policy, established in DODD 3002.01, to preserve the lives and well-being of individuals who are in danger of
  becoming, or already are, beleaguered, besieged, captured, detained, interned, or otherwise missing or evading
  capture while participating in activities or missions sponsored by the United States.
  FM 3-50 uses joint terms where applicable. Selected joint and Army terms and definitions appear in both the
  glossary and the text. The term for which FM 3-50 is the proponent publication (the authority) is marked with
  an asterisk (*) in the glossary, and its definition is boldfaced in the text. For other definitions shown in the text,
  the term is italicized and the number of the proponent publication follows the definition.
  FM 3-50 applies to the Active Army, the Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States, and
  United States Army Reserve unless otherwise stated.
  The proponent of FM 3-50 is the United States Army Combined Arms Center. The preparing agency is the
  Combined Arms Doctrine Directorate, United States Army Combined Arms Center. Send comments and
  recommendations on a DA Form 2028 (Recommended Changes to Publications and Blank Forms) to
  Commander, United States Army Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth, ATTN: ATZL-MCD
  (FM 3-50), 300 McPherson Avenue, Fort Leavenworth, KS 66027-2337; by e-mail to
  usarmy.leavenworth.mccoe.mbx.cadd-org-mailbox@mail.mil; or submit an electronic DA Form 2028.