ATP 3-21.18 provides the doctrinal framework and techniques for conducting dismounted movements, also called foot marches. It describes movement fundamentals and considerations; types of foot marches; foot march planning, preparations, execution, and assessment; duties and responsibilities; training for the march; and discipline, hygiene, and safety before, during, and after the march.
The principal audiences for ATP 3-21.18 are commanders, staffs, leaders, and Soldiers who are responsible for planning, preparing, executing, and assessing foot marches. The audience also includes the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command institutions and components, and the United States Army Special Operations Command. This publication serves as a doctrinal reference for personnel developing doctrine and training materiel and force structure, institutional and unit training, and standard operating procedures for foot marches.
To comprehend the doctrine contained in this publication, readers must first understand the tactics in FM 3-90 and FM 3-96. To comprehend how dismounted Infantry units organize and are doctrinally employed, the reader must understand the techniques in ATP 3-21.8, ATP 3-21.10, and ATP 3-21.20.
Commanders, staffs, and subordinates ensure that their decisions and actions comply with applicable United States, international, and in some cases host-nation laws and regulations. Commanders at all levels ensure that their Soldiers operate in accordance with the law of war and the rules of engagement. (See FM 6-27.)
ATP 3-21.18 uses joint terms where applicable. Selected joint and Army terms and definitions appear in both the glossary and the text. For definitions shown in the text, the term is italicized, and the number of the proponent publication follows the definition. This publication is not the proponent for any Army terms. The use of a trade or brand name does not constitute endorsement of any specific commercial product, commodity, service, or enterprise by the United States Army.
ATP 3-21.18 applies to the Active Army, Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States and United States Army Reserve unless otherwise stated.
The proponent for ATP 3-21.18 is the United States Army Maneuver Center of Excellence. The preparing agency is the United States Army Maneuver Center of Excellence, Directorate of Training and Doctrine, Doctrine and Collective Training Division. Send comments and recommendations on DA Form 2028 (Recommended Changes to Publications and Blank Forms) to Commander, Maneuver Center of Excellence, Directorate of Training and Doctrine, Doctrine and Collective Training Division, ATTN: ATZK-TDD, 1 Karker Street, Fort Benning, GA 31905-5410; by email to usarmy.benning.mcoe.mbx.doctrine@army.mil; or submit an electronic DA Form 2028.
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