21st Century U S Army Basic Cold Weather Field Manual

This U.S. Army field manual (FM 31-70) is designed to prepare the individual soldier and small unit commander to conduct military operations for extended periods of time under the most severe and varying cold weather climatic conditions. The doctrine and techniques in the manual are applicable in any area that has cold weather and snow with their accompanying operational problems. Troops properly trained in this doctrine and these techniques will be able to fight; live; and move in any cold weather area of the world. The material emphasizes that cold, with its attendant problems affects military operations but does not prevent them. The proper use of authorized equipment and field expedients will, to a major degree, overcome any problems encountered as a result of the cold. It is the commander?s responsibility to train his men so they can make the environment save military operations, not hinder them. The material presented herein is applicable, without modification to nuclear and nonnuclear warfare, employment of, and protection from, chemical, biological, and radiological agents, and internal defense and development operations. Throughout this manual reference is made to the additional time required to conduct various tasks in cold weather operations. This requirement cannot be overemphasized and must be included in all planning. In addition to the increased amount of time consumed in actual movement, allowance must be made for other time consuming tasks that are not present in temperate zone operations. These include, among others, erecting and striking tents, performing maintenance, constructing roads, starting and warming engines, movement of supplies, and hundreds of other small tasks that must be performed while wearing bulky cold weather clothing.