This field manual establishes doctrine (fundamental principles) for tactical counterinsurgency (COIN)operations at the company, battalion, and brigade level. It is based on lessons learned from historiccounterinsurgencies and current operations. This manual continues the efforts of FM 3-24, Counterinsurgency, in combining the historic approaches to COIN with the realities of today's operational environment (OE)-anenvironment modified by a population explosion, urbanization, globalization, technology, the spreadof religious fundamentalism, resource demand, climate change and natural disasters, and proliferationof weapons of mass destruction. This manual is generic in its geographic focus and should be used with otherdoctrinal sources.- Chapter 1, Operational Environment of Counterinsurgency, defines insurgentand counterinsurgent while using the operational variables and mission variables to describe theOE. Finally, it stresses developing a culture capability for Soldiers and leaders.- Chapter 2, Foundations of Insurgency, categorizes insurgent groups by their components-elements, dynamics, and strategies and their manifestations-tactics, strengths, and vulnerabilities.- Chapter 3, Foundations of Counterinsurgency, covers the seven lines of effort, tacticalconsiderations, clear-hold-build operations, and counterinsurgency phases.- Chapter 4, Planning in Counterinsurgency, arguably the most important chapter, coversplanning for tactical units during counterinsurgency operations. It also covers planninghorizons and targeting.- Chapter 5, Offensive Operations in Counterinsurgency, addresses offensive techniques used bytactical units during counterinsurgency operations.- Chapter 6, Defensive Operations in Counterinsurgency, addresses defensive techniques used bytactical units during counterinsurgency operations.- Chapter 7, Stability Operations in Counterinsurgency, addresses stability techniques used bytactical units during counterinsurgency operations.- Chapter 8, Working with Host Nation Security Forces, covers the seven steps (MORTEAM)units use to train, advise, and partner with Host Nation security forces.
