Small Wars Journal

Antiterrorism Theme -- Antiterrorism Doctrine (FM 3-37.2)

Fri, 07/01/2011 - 8:34am
Antiterrorism Theme -- Antiterrorism Doctrine (FM 3-37.2)

Via STAND-TO!

What is it?

The Army antiterrorism (AT) theme for the fourth quarter, fiscal year 2011 (4Q/FY11), -Antiterrorism Doctrine -- focuses on the understanding and integration of the AT doctrine contained in FM 3-37.2 ("Antiterrorism") released in February 2011.

Why is it important to the Army?

Describing what constitutes AT, how it applies in a given situation, what actions are necessary to prevent a terrorist attack, and how to determine if a unit, installation, or facility has the appropriate protection resources are complex and important issues. Determining the approach for these fundamental elements is certainly worth contemplating. Army AT policy (AR 525-13) provides the baseline fundamentals of what must be done. However, policy does not describe the countless possibilities driven by the threat, security environment, available resources, and numerous other variables. Moreover, the Army guides, but does not dictate, those actions through doctrine. Until recently there was no doctrinal "guide" for AT to help units develop their AT plans and programs. In February 2011, the Army unveiled its first ever AT doctrine, FM 3-37.2, "Antiterrorism."

What is the Army doing?

To meet a growing and evolving terrorist threat, the Army combined the most important elements of AT policy with the doctrinal wisdom and practical application from operational forces, installations, and stand-alone facilities. By leveraging extensive AT expertise from across the force, sound doctrinal principles, processes, and tools emerged. FM 3-37.2 establishes AT principles (assess, detect, warn, defend, and recover), integrates AT within the combating terrorism framework and protection warfighting function, and builds on the Army's effective operations and intelligence processes.

What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future?

An Army-wide AT Awareness Month is planned for August 2011. The timing of this year's observance is especially important given the approaching 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks against the homeland.

During the month of August, units, installations, and facilities should focus efforts to heighten awareness and vigilance across the Army community to prevent and protect against acts of terrorism. The four themes, all related to doctrinal precepts, for the Army's AT awareness month included:

• Recognizing and reporting suspicious activity or high-risk behavior

• Application of Army AT principles

• Integrating AT into the operations process

• Procedures for law enforcement and community response to an active shooter

Resources:

Log-in required:

Army Antiterrorism Enterprise Portal (ATEP) and iWATCH Army

Related STAND-TO! editions:

Q3: Antiterrorism Theme- Understanding the Threat

Q2: Antiterrorism Theme - Antiterrorism Awareness in Contracting

Q1: Antiterrorism Theme- Personal Protection

Categories: Army