Techniques for fighting in extremely tight spaces like hallways or stairwells where firearms might be grabbed or compromised by an adversary. The Evolution of the "FOUO" Designation

The marking "FOUO" (For Official Use Only) indicated that the document contained information that was not classified for national security reasons (like Top Secret) but was not intended for public distribution. This usually covered sensitive operational tactics, specific equipment capabilities, or details that could be detrimental to operations if widely disseminated. Today, while many FOUO documents are technically restricted, digital copies of this specific manual have circulated widely among military historians and enthusiasts.

The 1999 manual’s weakness was its lack of robust defeat and drone warfare chapters—gaps filled after 2005.

For those interested in accessing FM 31-28, various online resources are available:

Despite its vintage, the 1 December 1999 version of FM 31-28 remains deeply revered by military historians and tactical shooters alike as the primary document that formalized modern, professional close-quarters combat inside the U.S. Army. Share public link

The training established by FM 31-28 has directly shaped how Special Forces are trained today. In the two decades since its publication, SFAUC has evolved but remains a vital standard:

Rapid deployment onto rooftops or tight alleyways directly from hovering airframes.

The key innovation of FM 31-28 was : an SF team in a city would operate without conventional fires or immediate reinforcement, relying on stealth, speed, and host-nation security elements.

The late 1990s marked a significant shift in global military strategy. The collapse of the Soviet Union transitioned the threat landscape from large-scale armored warfare to localized asymmetric conflicts. High-density urban centers became the new battlefields.