This United States Army manual, Army Techniques Publication ATP 3-21.8 Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad Change 1 June 2025, addresses the tactical application of techniques associated with the offense and defense for the Infantry rifle platoon and squad. ATP 3-21.8 does not discuss defense support of civil authorities (see ADP 3-28 and ATP 3-28.1) and the element of stability (see ATP 3-21.10 chapter 4). Employing the techniques addressed in ATP 3-21.8 requires using and integrating the techniques found in ATP 3-21.10 and ATP 3-21.20 and the tactics and procedures found in FM 3-96, tactics are the employment, ordered arrangement, and directed actions of forces in relation to each other (ADP 3-90). Procedures are standard, detailed steps that prescribe how to perform specific tasks. The techniques addressed in ATP 3-21.8 includes the movement and maneuver of units in relation to each other, the terrain, and the enemy. Techniques vary with terrain and other circumstances; they change frequently as the enemy reacts and friendly forces explore new approaches. Applying techniques usually entails acting under time constraints with incomplete information. Techniques always require judgment in application; they are always descriptive, not prescriptive. Fictional scenarios, used as discussion vehicles throughout this publication, illustrate different ways an Infantry rifle platoon and squad can accomplish its mission regardless of which inherent element (offense or defense) of conventional warfare currently dominates. Conventional warfare is a violent struggle for domination between nation-states or coalitions of nation-states (FM 3-0). Scenarios focus on potential challenges confronting the platoon leader and platoon subordinate leaders in accomplishing their mission but are not intended to be prescriptive of how the Infantry rifle platoon performs any particular operation.
