Currently all Army doctrine fits into three types of publications, each with a different purpose.
Army Doctrine Publications
Army doctrine publications (ADPs) contain the fundamental principles. Operating forces and elements of the institutional force that directly support operations use these publications to guide their actions in support of national objectives. An Army doctrine publication provides the intellectual underpinnings of how the Army operates as a force.
Field Manuals
Field manuals (FMs) contain principles, tactics, procedures, and other doctrinal information. Army forces use these publications to understand how the Army and its organizations conduct and train for operations. Field manuals describe how the Army executes operations described in the Army doctrine publications. They fully integrate and comply with the doctrine in the Army doctrine publications.
Army Techniques Publications
Army techniques publications (ATPs) contain techniques. Army forces use these publications to accomplish missions, complete functions, and perform specific tasks. Army techniques publications provide Soldiers with ways or methods to accomplish or complete a mission, task, or function. The technique publications provide Soldiers with the flexibility to accomplish or complete a mission, task, or function without prescribing to them on what they must do. These publications fully integrate, nest, and comply with the doctrine contained in Army doctrine publications and field manuals.
Army Doctrine Notes
Army Doctrine Notes (ADNs) provide the Army with a formal mechanism to rapidly disseminate emerging ideas, observations, and evolving practices that have not yet matured into authenticated doctrine. They serve as a bridge between field driven innovation and the deliberate, consensus-based processes required for publication within the Army doctrine hierarchy. Through ADNs, the force can explore, test, and refine new concepts while preserving the integrity and primacy of approved doctrine.
Army Doctrine Note 26-1 Employing C2 Nodes; A Technique for Employing the C2 System in Conventional Warfare
The Army Publishing Directorate Website (https://armypubs.army.mil/) is the repository for this body of knowledge.
