Currently all Army doctrine fits into three types of publications, each with a different purpose.
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 (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 (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.
The Army Publishing Directorate Website (https://armypubs.army.mil/) is the repository for this body of knowledge.
