The manual, issued on 1 December 1999 , represents a critical, specialized document in the evolution of U.S. Army Special Operations Forces (ARSOF) tactics. Classified as For Official Use Only (FOUO) , this manual was designed to provide the specific techniques, tactics, and procedures (TTPs) necessary for Special Forces (SF) teams to operate in highly complex urban environments.
Advanced Urban Combat differs drastically from conventional clearing operations. While conventional infantry relies on overwhelming firepower, isolation, and systematic building-by-building destruction, Special Forces focus on .
FM 31-28 bridged this gap. It heavily adapted civilian and elite counter-terrorism techniques—specifically the "Modern Technique of Weaponcraft" popularized by institutions like the Gunsite Academy—and institutionalized them into a multi-week training pipeline known as the course. Core Tactical Pillars of SFAUC Doctrine 1. Close Quarters Marksmanship (CQM)
: Official requests for the document are often referred to the Commander of the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg), NC. SF Advanced Urban Combat (SFAUC) - Special Forces Training The manual, issued on 1 December 1999 ,
Unit training and rehearsal are essential to prepare SF teams for urban combat operations. This includes training in urban terrain, simulating real-world scenarios, and practicing techniques and procedures.
You cannot clear a room if you cannot get through the door. FM 31-28 outlines the "Breacher’s" role as one of the most critical elements of an assault team. The doctrine covers three primary types of breaching:
FM 31-28, Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat (FOUO), is a 1999 U.S. Army manual outlining specialized tactics for CQB and unconventional urban warfare. The document, which serves as the foundation for the SFAUC training course, focuses on multidimensional, high-precision combat operations. While the specific manual is not public, similar doctrinal materials, such as FM 31-20, can be found via the Internet Archive . Urban Operations: Army Field Manual Volume 2 ... - Scribd and ballistic shotguns to defeat doors
: Designing calculated linear, rubber strip, or water-impulse charges to defeat fortified steel doors without causing catastrophic structural collapse or unnecessary collateral damage. 3. Room and Building Clearance (CQB)
The release of FM 31-28 occurred just prior to the post-9/11 conflicts, making its concepts vital for Special Forces ODAs operating in tight city environments like Baghdad, Fallujah, and Kandahar. The emphasis on "stacking stress"—using live-fire shoothouses, flashbangs, and complex target scenarios to condition calm under pressure—proved crucial for survival.
A 1999 planning document acknowledged this gap, noting that, "Due to the relevancy of urban warfare doctrine for counterguerrilla and stability operations, and for combat in fortified and built-up areas, it is felt that the multiple manual approach would provide a broader exposure of the desired doctrine". This realization led to a flurry of new writing. In December 1999, alongside other drafts for manuals on air operations and pack animals, the Department of the Army listed , as being in production—a title that was soon refined to FM 31-28, Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat . and windows. FM 31-28
It is specifically intended to protect technical and operational information from public or international dissemination. Current Status:
Using tools like halligan bars, battering rams, and ballistic shotguns to defeat doors, gates, and windows.
FM 31-28, Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat (SFAUC) from 1 December 1999, established standardized high-intensity, precision-focused tactical doctrine for Special Forces Operational Detachment Alphas, addressing the need for specialized urban training. It introduced critical skills like discriminatory engagement, advanced breaching, and CQB that laid the foundation for modern special operations tactics. Read more regarding the SFAUC course on specialforcestraining.info SF Advanced Urban Combat (SFAUC) - Special Forces Training