Army techniques publication ATP 4-31 / Marine Corps Reference Publication (MCRP) 4-11.4A, Recovery and Battle Damage Assessment and Repair, provides techniques on how recovery and battle damage assessment and repair (BDAR) assets are employed during operations.
The principal audience for ATP 4-31/MCRP 4-11.4A is all members of the profession of arms. Commanders and staffs of Army headquarters serving as joint task force or multinational headquarters should also refer to applicable joint or multinational doctrine pertaining to recovery and BDAR operations. Trainers and educators throughout the Army and USMC will also use this publication.
Soldiers and officers that perform recovery operations/battle damage assessment and repair for the Army perform a vital role of keeping their units and Army personnel safe while maintaining and providing the effective operational readiness rates needed to accomplish the mission. Recovery personnel, as identified in this publication, include every person that plays a role in recovery operations or battle damage assessment and repair. This includes professional recovery personnel, such as maintenance control officers, warrant technicians and maintenance teams.
All personnel involved in recovery operations/ battle damage assessment and repair need to understand the environment in which they operate. This manual provides information on recovery support to unit operations also including the Joint environment.
It is imperative for all personnel engaged in recovery operations/ battle damage assessment and repair support operations to have an understanding of the various staff organizations that have a role in recovery planning and support. It will be necessary for a recovery support activity to contact the higher, lower, or adjacent headquarters (both sustainment and operational) to coordinate support, report status, request technical assistance, or request additional resources. This manual will present the roles and mission of the various recovery organizations so that proper coordination can be conducted.
The guidelines in this publication should be followed as closely as possible within the constraints and restrictions of the tactical situation.
ATP 4-31, Recovery and Battle Damage Assessment and Repair (BDAR), is the revision of FM 4-30.31, Recovery and Battle Damage Assessment and Repair. ATP 4-31 provides an overview of the battlefield recovery, and battle damage assessment and repair for the fundamental purpose of returning combat assets to the battlefield as soon as possible. It also explains the difference between recovery operations with its different types and methods and the battle assessment and repairs. This publication also reviews the rigging procedures and the utilization of the mechanical advantage to accomplish the mission. Overviews the recovery methods, techniques and the safety precautions associated with each recovery operation. Major changes from FM 4-30.31 include an improved hand and arm signals for day and night recovery operations.
ATP 4-31 is comprised of four chapters:
Chapter 1 discusses the battlefield recovery with its various types and battle damage assessment and repairs; it discusses the various types of recovery and the responsibility of the owning units.
Chapter 2 explains the rigging methods and techniques, how to take advantage of the mechanical advantage during various rigging configurations with equipment readily available.
Chapter 3 covers huge varieties of recovery techniques for different obstacles, overturned, and mired situations and emphasizes safety during the recovery operations.
Chapter 4 covers the various improvised repair procedures in order to rapidly return disabled equipment to operational condition in wartime by expediently repairing, bypassing, and restoring minimum function to essential systems.
