OSINT: A view into the Army’s future

ARTICLE: Army's New Manual: Peacekeeper Training, AP, December 17, 2008

Both the Army and Marines have long been partial to "Full Spectrum" operations, a buzz phrase that signals the need to be equally proficient on the lower-end of the conflict spectrum.

The Army has released its first new training field manual in six years, highlighting the need for units to be ready to conduct stability operations after traditional combat has ended.

The manual, titled "Training for Full Spectrum Operations" and written at Fort Leavenworth, explains what soldiers can expect when in combat.

It replaces a 2002 edition and comes on the heels of the Army's release earlier this year of its latest operations doctrine, which emphasized that soldiers must be prepared and proficient in offense, defense and stability skills. The Army says it is the first time it has synchronized the manuals for operations and training.

Army officials say the latest manual released Tuesday is a reflection of the past seven years of conflict in Afghanistan and Iraq and a reality that units will be in a period of "persistent conflict" for years to come.

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