TRADOC G-2 continually works to provide comprehensive, accurate, and timely information on operational environment (OE) conditions and threat actions, equipment, and tactics. We would like to draw your attention to several products available to you now or coming soon.
Army Techniques Publication (ATP) Series
A few years ago, TRADOC G-2 embarked on a journey to fill a gap on information regarding real-world threat tactics. While we have produced multiple products containing this information, the time was right to create doctrinal-level, authoritative resources for use by our Army, sister services, and joint partners for training. The TC 7-100 series of Opposing Force (OPFOR) manuals remain relevant, but for those desiring the specifics of real-world threats instead of, or in addition to, the composite model, we are providing the tactics manuals for China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
Each of these manuals will reflect extensive collaboration with the Intelligence Community, deep dives into information from each country’s doctrine, and coordination with Army elements such as the National Ground Intelligence Center, Defense Intelligence Agency, and Headquarters, Department of the Army Deputy Chief of Staff, G-2 to ensure accuracy and continuity of the narrative. As part of the doctrinal creation process, each publication also undergoes worldwide staffing through the Combined Arms Center’s Combined Arms Doctrine Directorate (CADD). The final product will provide users with extensive, complete information on each actor’s doctrine in the frame of how they would fight against the United States or NATO vice a regional threat.
Additionally, each ATP release will be accompanied by a suite of products and supplements to aid in understanding and to address multiple learner types. There will be professional development sessions, interactive training, videos, graphics, lesson plans, podcasts, interviews, audiobooks, access to communities of interest, and more. Almost all these resources will be available from the Landing Zones, websites which are publicly accessible from any device.
Currently, ATP 7-100.3, Chinese Tactics has been available since August 2021; ATP 7-100.2, Russian Tactics, is undergoing worldwide staffing; and a completed draft of ATP 7-100.4, Iranian Tactics, is going through TRADOC G-2 leadership review prior to editing and staffing through the CADD. ATP 7-100.2, North Korean Tactics, is still to be written.
Landing Zones
In an effort to provide more than the manual, we have developed the concept of a Landing Zone to accompany each ATP. The Landing Zones are each intended to be “one-stop shops” for all things China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. There are currently two Landing Zones available, one for China and one for Russia. These websites are publicly accessible (no credentials required for access) and contain unclassified information for all learners at multiple echelons. Some of the links do require a common access card to view our materials with a Controlled Unclassified Information designation.
The primary feature of the China Landing Zone is, of course, ATP 7-1003, Chinese Tactics. This publication is the U.S. Army’s authoritative, unclassified product on People’s Liberation Army (PLA) doctrine. As such, it is the basis for much of the other information presented on the Landing Zone. An audiobook version of the full manual is available, as well as interviews with the author and other experts in the field. There are one-page graphics that can be viewed and downloaded from the Bite-Size China (see example, left) link or the warfighting functions section. You can also read about China’s lessons learned from Russia’s conflict with Ukraine and view the Maneuver Center of Excellence’s adaptation of the material into lesson plans. Our intent is to provide this important information is easy-to-learn formats along with access to TRADOC G-2 analysts for discussion and professional development. We welcome your feedback and continually strive to improve these sites to suit your needs.
The Russia Landing Zone is also fully functional, and until the publication of ATP 7-100.1, Russian Tactics, the featured product is The Russian Way of War, written by Russia experts from TRADOC G-2's Foreign Military Studies Office. The key elements found on the China Landing Zone are also on the Russia Landing Zone, as well as a link to TRADOC G-2's weekly Running Estimates comparing Russia’s activities in Ukraine to 10 pre-conflict Key Assessments about how Russia fights. The website also includes a separate weekly Running Estimate focusing on the social-cultural elements of the war produced by TRADOC G-2’s Global Cultural Knowledge Network.
Threat Tactics Course
Our team regularly facilitates the Threat Tactics course to units across the Army. The first step is to take the online training, which is self-paced and takes less than one day. It provides a foundational understanding to prepare students for the in-person, instructor-facilitated phase.
Still to Come
We are beginning to work on another set of papers to more deeply explore how various aspects of large-scale combat operations are playing out for Russia in Ukraine. These will also be available from the Russia Landing Zone when complete.
As always, we are here to help you with understanding all elements of the OE and threat, as well as how to incorporate them into your training and planning. Please feel free to reach out to us.