FM 31-28, Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat (SFAUC) , dated 1 December 1999, is a highly specialized U.S. Army Field Manual that provides the doctrinal foundation for elite urban operations. Classified as For Official Use Only (FOUO)
at the time of its release, it details the "how-to" for Special Forces (SF) units tasked with operating in complex, high-density metropolitan environments. specialforcestraining.info Key Components of SFAUC Doctrine The manual serves as the primary reference for the Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat (SFAUC)
course, which every Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha (SFODA) must undergo to maintain mission readiness. It focuses on three core areas: specialforcestraining.info Advanced Marksmanship
: Techniques for precision shooting in confined spaces, including "quick fire" and "assault fire" methods specifically designed for the rapid tempo of urban engagements. Close Quarter Combat (CQC/CQB)
: Detailed procedures for "shoothouse" drills, room clearing, and breaching, emphasizing the "warrior first" mindset needed to destroy enemies in close proximity. Mission Planning & Infiltration
: Strategies for navigating the "three-dimensional" urban battlefield—considering height (snipers, rooftops) as much as depth and width. This includes insertion by foot, vehicle, or air in both permissive and non-permissive environments. specialforcestraining.info Historical Significance Evolution of Strategy
: Released in 1999, this manual bridged the gap between Cold War-era "bypass" strategies and the modern necessity of fighting within cities, as seen in conflicts like Chechnya and later in Iraq. Specialized Scope : Unlike general urban manuals like FM 3-06 (Urban Operations)
, FM 31-28 focuses exclusively on the "indirect combat" and surgical strike capabilities of Special Forces. Training Standards
: It established the benchmark for "true mastery" in urban environments, moving beyond simple checklists to focus on trained instinct and adaptive decision-making under extreme stress. apps.dtic.mil Urban Combat Service Support Operations - DTIC
Introduction
The manual, FM 31-28 FOUIO, was published by the U.S. Department of the Army on December 1, 1999. The primary focus of this manual is to provide Special Forces personnel with the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct advanced urban combat operations. The manual emphasizes the unique challenges of urban warfare, including the complexities of built-up areas, civilian populations, and the need for precise and discriminate use of force.
Urban Combat Challenges
The manual highlights the difficulties of urban combat, including:
Advanced Urban Combat Techniques
The manual covers a range of advanced urban combat techniques, including:
Tactics and Strategies
The manual also discusses tactics and strategies for advanced urban combat, including:
Special Forces Specifics
The manual also addresses specific considerations for Special Forces operating in urban environments, including: FM 31-28, Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat (SFAUC)
Conclusion
FM 31-28 FOUIO Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat is a comprehensive manual that provides Special Forces personnel with the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct advanced urban combat operations. The manual emphasizes the complexities of urban warfare and the need for precise and discriminate use of force. By mastering the techniques and strategies outlined in the manual, Special Forces personnel can effectively operate in urban environments and achieve their objectives.
The publication you're referring to, , is the primary U.S. Army field manual for the Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat (SFAUC) course.
First published around December 1, 1999, it was developed under the direction of BG Boykin to standardize urban combat training and doctrine across Special Forces groups. Key Manual Details
Classification: Historically marked as For Official Use Only (FOUO), meaning it was intended for government use and not approved for general public release. Under current Department of Defense policy, the FOUO marking is being phased out and replaced by Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
Purpose: It serves as the definitive guide for SFAUC, a multi-week course that Green Berets attend after completing the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC).
Core Topics: The manual covers advanced tactical proficiency in high-intensity urban environments, including:
Close Quarter Combat (CQB): Room clearing and shoothouse drills.
Advanced Marksmanship: Rifle, pistol, and shotgun training focused on speed and accuracy. Complex terrain : Urban areas present a complex
Breaching: Mechanical and explosive entry techniques for doors, windows, and fences.
Urban Movement: Navigating dense areas, including rooftops and alleyways.
Specialized Techniques: Fast-roping, rappelling, and night operations. Where to Find More Information
While the full manual is generally restricted to official military channels, you can find unclassified overviews and training videos through several official Special Operations platforms:
(U) Intelligence Community Markings System Register ... - CDSE
Page 1. UNCLASSIFIED//FOUO. This document is not approved for public release. UNCLASSIFIED//FOUO.
The manual introduced the concept of "acoustic shadowing" – using the echoes between buildings to mask movement. It included decibel tables for suppressed weapons vs. background urban noise (e.g., a subway train passing at 30 mph generates 95 dB, acceptable for M4 with suppressor).
This section provided scripts and psychological triggers for negotiating with urban militia leaders. It was marked FOUO because it contained actual psychological warfare pro-words and cultural triggers specific to cities in the former Soviet bloc, the Middle East, and East Asia.
In 1999, civilian GPS was selective availability (degraded accuracy). The manual taught celestial navigation from sewer grates (finding Polaris through a manhole) and dead reckoning using subway electrical substations as known points. The “25” could refer to 25 specific underground landmarks common to post-industrial cities. Advanced Urban Combat Techniques The manual covers a
Item 25 in a battle drill table: At 25 meters or less inside a building, SF operators were to transition from carbine to pistol or edged weapons due to retention risks. This was a radical departure from conventional room-clearing (which allowed rifles at all ranges).
The tactics in FM 31-28 were state-of-the-art for 1999, but two decades of continuous war in Iraq and Afghanistan drastically changed how the U.S. Army approaches urban combat.