Although the 1999 manual is over two decades old, its influence is evident in modern training. The SFAUC course is still a cornerstone of Green Beret training, a rigorous, multi-week program run by groups like the 3rd Special Forces Group.
Every member of the assault element is assigned a specific zone of a room to eliminate blind spots. 2. Advanced Breaching Techniques
The manual divides urban operations into distinct, highly specialized disciplines that Green Berets must master to survive and win in close-range environments. 1. Advanced Urban Marksmanship
Fast, split-second visual checks to distinguish armed combatants from non-combatants in chaotic environments.
The manual itself, , is the Army's doctrinal guide for SFAUC. It is a direct ancestor of the later FM 3-06.11, "Combined Arms Operations in Urban Terrain," which covers much of the same material. FM 31-28 was likely part of a larger series of Army field manuals from the 1990s that codified the lessons learned from operations in places like Mogadishu and prepared forces for the complex battlefields of the 21st century. Although the 1999 manual is over two decades
Calculated placement of structural charges (such as strip charges, linear shaped charges, or rubber-backed strip charges) engineered to blow hinges or locks while mitigating overpressure risks to the assault team inside the immediate breach point. 3. Infiltration and Exfiltration Tactics
Moving down an open city street is highly dangerous. The manual instructs forces on stealthy movement patterns:
: Originally marked as FOUO (For Official Use Only) , it provided a restricted set of tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) specific to elite units. Core Training Pillars
FM 31-28 shifts away from conventional siege tactics, emphasizing precision, speed, and surgical execution. The manual outlines several foundational principles for advanced urban combat: Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat (SFAUC)
FM 31-28, Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat (SFAUC), is a December 1999 Department of the Army field manual outlining specialized training for Special Forces Operational Detachment Alphas (ODAs) in high-intensity urban environments. The document, traditionally marked as For Official Use Only (FOUO), covers comprehensive tactical training, including precision marksmanship, close-quarters battle (CQB), and advanced breaching operations. For more details, visit Special Forces Training . SF Advanced Urban Combat (SFAUC) - Special Forces Training
Firing from deep within a room through a small structural opening to hide the muzzle flash and acoustic signature.
The manual ensured that every Special Forces soldier, regardless of which group he was in, was trained to the same exacting standard of urban combat proficiency.
The U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School (SWCS) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, is responsible for training Special Forces units in advanced urban combat techniques. The school offers a range of courses, from basic training to advanced courses focusing on specialized skills, such as language training and sniper operations. covers comprehensive tactical training
Utilizing sewers and utility corridors for covert infiltration or exfiltration.
Note: While some versions or associated training materials were labeled FOUO (For Official Use Only) in the era surrounding 1999, the content outlines fundamental principles of CQB (Close Quarters Battle) and urban doctrine developed by the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School (USAJFKSWCS) . Core Focus of FM 31-28 (1999)
By providing a comprehensive overview of FM 31-28 and its significance in the realm of Special Forces advanced urban combat, this article aims to inform and educate readers on the complexities of urban warfare and the role of Special Forces units in these environments.
Techniques for fighting in extremely tight spaces like hallways or stairwells where firearms might be grabbed or compromised by an adversary. The Evolution of the "FOUO" Designation
In the years following the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the Global War on Terror, the Army consolidated and reorganized its field manuals. Many specific TTPs found in FM 31-28 were eventually absorbed into broader doctrinal publications, such as (Special Forces Unconventional Warfare) or FM 3-06 (Urban Operations). The lessons learned from the manual were extensively updated based on real-world combat experience in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Special Forces snipers operate differently in cities than in rural environments. FM 31-28 provides guidelines on: