The Ultimate Guide: Field Manual FM 21-20 for the Infantry Battalion [December 2006]

The Field Manual FM 21-20, also known as "The Infantry Battalion," is a comprehensive guide designed to provide military personnel with essential knowledge and skills necessary to operate as part of an infantry battalion. Published in December 2006, this manual serves as a vital resource for infantry officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers alike.

Key Topics Covered in Field Manual FM 21-20

The Field Manual FM 21-20 covers a wide range of topics pertaining to the infantry battalion's principles, tactics, techniques, and procedures. These include:

• Leadership and command
• Infantry operations and missions
• Defense and offensive operations
• Fire support and control
• Combat service support
• Specialized operations

The Importance of Field Manual FM 21-20

Field Manual FM 21-20 is highly significant as it provides a standardized approach to infantry operations within a battalion. It serves as a guide for leaders at all levels of the infantry, laying down the groundwork to ensure effective planning and execution of missions. This manual promotes discipline, tactical proficiency, and cohesion among infantry units.

Field Manual FM 3-21.20 (FM 7-20) The Infantry Battalion December 2006

by United States Government US Army(Kindle Edition)

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	22344 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	600 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Leadership and Command

One of the primary focuses of Field Manual FM 21-20 is leadership and command within the infantry battalion. The manual delves into the roles and responsibilities of leaders and their impact on the unit's readiness and success. It emphasizes leadership principles, decision-making processes, and effective communication techniques.

Infantry Operations and Missions

Field Manual FM 21-20 provides detailed insights into various infantry operations and missions. It outlines the principles, fundamentals, and tactics required for successful maneuver warfare. With an emphasis on combat readiness, this manual equips infantry personnel with invaluable knowledge on reconnaissance, security, and offensive/defensive operations.

Defense and Offensive Operations

The manual extensively covers defense and offensive operations, crucial aspects of an infantry battalion's activities. It focuses on defensive techniques such as creating defensive positions, conducting patrols, and seamlessly transitioning to offensive operations. The guidelines provided ensure a comprehensive understanding of defensive and offensive tactics.

Fire Support and Control

Field Manual FM 21-20 emphasizes the importance of fire support and control in achieving mission objectives. It details various fire support systems, their coordination, and integration into infantry operations. The manual also addresses calling for fire support, understanding fire support planning, and controlling fire assets effectively.

Combat Service Support

In any military operation, combat service support plays a fundamental role. Field Manual FM 21-20 covers the essential aspects of logistics, maintenance, transportation, and medical support required to sustain infantry units throughout their operations. From efficiently managing supplies to coordinating medical evacuations, this manual acts as a complete reference for combat service support personnel.

Specialized Operations

Additionally, the Field Manual FM 21-20 dedicates significant attention to specialized operations that an infantry battalion might encounter. These include urban operations, counterinsurgency, and mountain warfare. By providing detailed guidance on these specialized operations, the manual enables infantry personnel to adapt to diverse environments and effectively accomplish their objectives.

Field Manual FM 21-20 is an invaluable resource for anyone involved in an infantry battalion. Its comprehensive coverage of essential topics ensures that infantry units are well-prepared and capable of executing missions successfully. As the primary reference for infantry operations, this manual contributes to the overall effectiveness, readiness, and cohesion of infantry battalions serving in any operational theater.

Field Manual FM 3-21.20 (FM 7-20) The Infantry Battalion December 2006

by United States Government US Army(Kindle Edition)

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	22344 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	600 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

This manual defines the role, operational requirements, mission tasks, battlefield functions, and command and control relationships of Infantry battalions organic to the Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT). Users of this
manual must understand the elements of doctrinal literature and their relationship to each other. The commonly used terms, tactics, techniques, and procedures are both interrelated and mutually supportive. However, each
term has its own usage, level of detail, and place in the hierarchy of doctrinal publications. FMs provide doctrine, tactics, and some techniques, while mission training plans (MTP) provide techniques and procedures.
Procedures can also be found in publications such as unit standing operating procedures (SOP) and Soldiers’ manuals as well as others. Tactics, techniques, and procedures, in that order, become more prescriptive and
require less judgment as these elements are applied.

This manual is provided for use by Infantry battalion commanders and staffs, company commanders, and special platoon leaders. The term Infantry unit, as used in this context throughout this manual, refers to all Infantry and Ranger units unless otherwise specified. Air assault and airborne mission trained units are organized as Infantry units and are not differentiated in this manual. This manual is also provided for use by instructors of US Army Infantry battalion operations. It provides the doctrine for Infantry battalions to use in combat training and combat. It establishes a common base of tactical knowledge from which specific solutions to battalion-level tactical problems can be developed. It is designed to increase the effectiveness of battalion-level operations by providing doctrinal principles and selected battlefield-proven tactics, techniques,
and procedures.

While this manual is primarily written for US Army Infantry units, it is also a source of information for other branches of the US Army and US military, and for multinational forces while working in a joint environment. It applies to the Active Army, the Army National Guard (ARNG),the National Guard of the United States (ARNGUS),and the US Army Reserve (USAR),unless otherwise stated.