This United States Army doctrine, Field Manual FM 3-96 Brigade Combat Team January 2021, 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 actions of 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.
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 States Army Training and Doctrine Command institutions and components, and the United States Army 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.
FM 3-96 applies to the Active Army, the Army National Guard/the Army National Guard of the United States, and the United States Army Reserve unless otherwise stated.
