It looks like the updated FM 3-0, Operations, will be released at the end of February 2008. Some of the areas in the manual with major changes include:

  • Operational Concept
  • Stability Operations Construct
  • Information Operations Construct
  • Warfighting Functions
  • Spectrum of Conflict
  • Defeat and Stability Mechanisms
  • Joint Interdependence
  • The Operational Environment
  • Modular Forces

Chapter 3 of the new FM 3-0 describes the Operational Concept:

“The Army’s operational concept is the core of its doctrine. It must be uniformly known and understood within the Service...”

  • Army forces combine offensive, defensive, and stability or civil support operations simultaneously as part of an interdependent Joint force to seize, retain, and exploit the initiative, accepting prudent risk to create opportunities to achieve decisive results.
  • They employ synchronized action – lethal and nonlethal – proportional to the mission, and informed by a thorough understanding of all variables of the operational environment.
  • Mission command that conveys intent and an appreciation of all aspects of the situation guides the adaptive use of Army forces.

The manual will have a combination of "evolutionary" and "revolutionary" concepts --

While this doctrine may be evolutionary, its impact on the force and the application of the doctrine will be revolutionary.

Some aspects are evolutionary (strategic context, operational environment, full spectrum operations, command and control, etc.).

Other aspects are revolutionary (stability operations co-equal with offense and defense, emphasis on information engagement, requirements for leaders to be competent with both lethal and non-lethal (soft power) applications of combat power).

It should be an interesting read...