DarkDot FM 3-21.8 — Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad
US ArmyFM 3-21.82007
Doctrinal guidance for the tactics, techniques, and procedures of the infantry rifle platoon and squad across the full range of military operations.
Overview
FM 3-21.8 (formerly FM 7-8) establishes tactical doctrine for the U.S. Army infantry rifle platoon and squad, covering offensive, defensive, and special environment operations.
Key Principles
- Fire and Movement: Bounding overwatch and fire and movement are the fundamental techniques for closing with the enemy.
- Troop Leading Procedures (TLP): The eight-step TLP process applies at platoon level: receive mission, issue warning order, make tentative plan, initiate movement, conduct reconnaissance, complete plan, issue order, supervise.
- Squad Tactics: Four-man fire teams form the building block of all squad-level tactics.
Relevance to Dark Dot
Use the Terrain plan to replicate movement routes, phase lines, and objectives. Assign fire teams as teams within the operation and link terrain waypoints to CQB entry points for urban operations.
infantryarmyplatoonsquadtactics