FM 3-05 — Army Special Operations
FM 3-05 governs Army special operations and related activities through principles, tactics, and procedures.
- Publication number: FM 3-05
- Title: ARMY SPECIAL OPERATIONS
- Date: 06/24/2025
- Proponent: T2COM
- Status: ACTIVE
View FM 3-05 on armypubs.army.mil
FM 3-05 describes Army special operations forces, their units, activities, command and control, and rules of allocation. It examines special operations fundamentals and their employment during competition, crisis, armed conflict, and the return to competition.
Applies to: FM 3-05 applies to the Active Army, Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States, and United States Army Reserve unless otherwise stated.
Topics covered
- Army special operations forces
- Special operations activities
- Command and control
- Rules of allocation
- Special operations principles
- Competition
- Crisis
- Armed conflict
Questions and answers
What strategic contexts include Army special operations?
Special operations are executed in all the Armys strategic contextscompetition, crisis, and armed conflict.
What do Army special operations units do during competition?
During competition, special operations units develop enduring partner networks to enhance operations, extend operational reach, build partner resilience, capability, and capacity, and set the theater.
How do Army special operations forces respond during crises?
During crises, the forward presence of Army special operations forces and their ability to deploy across the globe allow them to address national security interests.
What happens when a crisis escalates to armed conflict?
Should a crisis escalate to armed conflict, special operations enable joint forcible entry and force projection of conventional follow-on forces.
What do special operations support after hostilities end?
At the cessation of hostilities and armed conflict, special operations support the transition of the joint force land component commander and subordinate corps assigned areas to partner nation forces and supporting government agencies to restore stability and local governance.