ADP 3-90, page 5
Offense and Defense
Army Doctrine Publication: Offense and Defense
July 2019 public edition (supersedes Aug 2018); key terrain cited in S2 KOCOA
Searchable page text (OCR / PDF)
31 July 2019
ADP 3-90
iii
Preface
ADP 3-90 augments the land operations doctrine established in ADP 3-0 and FM 3-0. It provides additional
information on the basic concepts and control measures associated with the art and science of tactics.
ADP 3-90 provides the doctrine for the conduct of offensive and defensive operations, just as ADP 3-07
provides doctrine for the conduct of stability operations, and ADP 3-28 provides the doctrine for the defense
support of civil authorities tasks.
ADP 3-90 focuses on the organization of forces; minimum-essential control measures; and general planning,
preparation, and execution considerations for offensive and defensive operations. It is the common reference
for all students of the art and science of tactics. Echelon-specific Army techniques publications address how
each tactical echelon employs these tactical concepts.
The principal audience for ADP 3-90 is all members of the profession of arms. Commanders and staffs of
Army headquarters serving as a joint task force or multinational headquarters should also refer to applicable
joint or multinational doctrine concerning the range of military operations. Trainers and educators throughout
the Army use this publication.
Commanders, staffs, and subordinates ensure their decisions and actions comply with applicable U.S.,
international, and, in some cases, host-nation laws and regulations. Commanders at all levels ensure their
Soldiers and Department of the Army Civilians operate in accordance with the law of war and the rules of
engagement. (See FM 27-10.)
ADP 3-90 uses joint terms where applicable. Selected joint and Army terms and definitions appear in both
the glossary and the text. Terms for which ADP 3-90 is the proponent publication (the authority) are marked
with an asterisk (*) in the glossary. When first defined in the text, terms for which ADP 3-90 is the proponent
publication are boldfaced and italicized, and definitions are boldfaced. When first defining other proponent
definitions in the text, the term is italicized and the number of the proponent publication follows the
definition. Following uses of the term are not italicized.
ADP 3-90 applies to the Active Army, Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States, and
United States Army Reserve unless otherwise stated.
The proponent of ADP 3-90 is the United States Army Combined Arms Center. The preparing agency is the
Combined Arms Doctrine Directorate, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center. Send comments and
recommendations on a DA Form 2028 (Recommended Changes to Publications and Blank Forms) to
Commander, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth, ATTN: ATZL-MCD (ADP 3-90),
300
McPherson
Avenue,
Fort
Leavenworth,
KS
66027-2337;
by
email
to
usarmy.leavenworth.mccoe.mbx.cadd-org-mailbox@mail.mil; or submit an electronic DA Form 2028.