FM 3-50 — Army Personnel Recovery
FM 3-50 governs Army personnel recovery operations, including their organization, planning, execution, and prevention of isolating events.
- Publication number: FM 3-50
- Title: ARMY PERSONNEL RECOVERY
- Date: 09/02/2014
- Proponent: T2COM
- Status: ACTIVE
View FM 3-50 on armypubs.army.mil
It covers personnel recovery components, proficiencies, planning processes, isolation risks, partner interaction, and capability phases. It provides guidance for organizing, training, and equipping Army forces to conduct personnel recovery and prevent isolating events.
Applies to: FM 3-50 applies to the Active Army, the Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States, and United States Army Reserve unless otherwise stated.
Topics covered
- Personnel recovery components
- Personnel recovery proficiencies
- Isolation risk
- Military decisionmaking process
- Evasion plans of action
- Defense support of civil authorities
- Personnel recovery capability phases
Questions and answers
Who is responsible for conducting personnel recovery operations?
Leaders at every echelon, from company and below, through battalion and brigade, to echelons above brigade are responsible for the conduct of operations, including personnel recovery. (paragraph 1-23)
What guidance must commanders develop for personnel recovery?
Commanders develop and disseminate general personnel recovery guidance. (paragraph 1-24)
How often must personnel accountability be maintained?
The commander and staff personnel recovery focal group maintain personnel accountability at all times. (paragraph 1-26)
What happens when an unassisted evasion or immediate recovery fails?
If an unassisted evasion or an immediate recovery by friendly forces is not successful, commanders decide whether to mount a deliberate recovery operation. (paragraph 4-12)
How do commanders evaluate a deliberate recovery operation?
Commanders weigh the decision with other tactical decisions based on the current situation. (paragraph 4-12)