Army Doctrine Reference Publication (ADRP) 3-90 provides guidance in the form of combat-tested concepts and ideas modified to exploit emerging Army and joint offensive and defensive capabilities. ADRP 3-90 expounds on the doctrine established in Army Doctrine Publication (ADP) 3-90. It provides additional information on the basic concepts and control measures associated with the art and science of tactics.

ADRP 3-90 provides the doctrine for the conduct of offensive and defensive tasks, just as ADRP 3-07 provides doctrine for the conduct of stability tasks and Field Manual (FM) 3-28 provides the doctrine for defense support of civil authorities. Offensive and defensive tasks conducted as part of joint operations within the geographic limits of the U.S. and its territories are referred to in joint doctrine as homeland defense. (See Joint Publication [JP] 3-27.)

The principal audience for ADRP 3-90 is all members of the profession of arms. Commanders and staffs of Army headquarters serving as a joint task force or multinational headquarters should also refer to applicable joint or multinational doctrine concerning the range of military operations and joint or multinational forces. Trainers and educators throughout the Army will also use this manual.

ADRP 3-90 focuses on the organization of forces, minimum essential control measures, and general planning, preparation, and execution considerations for each primary offensive and defensive task. It is the common reference for all students of the art and science of tactics, both in the field and the Army school system. The offensive and defensive considerations in this manual apply to small tactical units, such as companies and battalions, even though most of the figures in this manual use the division and the brigade combat team (BCT) echelons to illustrate points in the text. Echelon specific field manuals and Army techniques publications address the specifics of how each tactical echelon employs these tactical concepts.

Commanders, staffs, and subordinates ensure their decisions and actions comply with applicable U.S., international, and, in some cases, host-nation laws and regulations. Commanders at all levels ensure their Soldiers operate in accordance with the law of war and the rules of engagement. (See FM 27-10.)

ADRP 3-90 implements standardization agreement (STANAG) Allied Tactical Publication-3.2.1

ADRP 3-90 uses joint terms where applicable. Selected joint and Army terms and definitions appear in both the glossary and the text. Terms for which ADRP 3-90 is the proponent publication (the authority) are marked with an asterisk (*) in the glossary. Definitions for which ADRP 3-90 is the proponent publication are boldfaced in the text. For other definitions shown in the text, the term is italicized and the number of the proponent publication follows the definition.

ADRP 3-90 applies to the Active Army, the Army National Guard (ARNG) /the Army National Guard of the United States (ARNGUS) , and the United States Army Reserve (USAR) unless otherwise stated.

The proponent of ADRP 3-90 is the United States Army Combined Arms Center. The preparing agency is the Combined Arms Doctrine Directorate, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center.