FM 3-25.150 - Combatives - Instructor, Trainer, and Soldier Guidance

Oct 22, 2026

Uploaded by Mabel

FM 3-25.150 provides guidance for rifle-bayonet fighting and hand-to-hand combat, supporting instinctive combat training. The manual structures the hand-to-hand portion into basic and advanced training and serves instructors, trainers, and soldiers as a practical reference. It identifies the United States Army Infantry School as the proponent, outlines training purposes and principles, emphasizes safety, and includes detailed sections covering training methods, ground-fighting techniques, and progression to advanced skills.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages265

Reading Time11 h 8 min

AccessFree to download

Preface

Chapter 1. Introduction

Definition of Combatives

Purposes of Combative Training

Basic Principles

Safety

Chapter 2. Training

Section I. Train-the-Trainer

Responsibilities of Trainers

Safety Precautions

Section II. Unit Training

Basic or One-Station Unit Training

Unit Sustainment Training Program

Section III. Training Areas

Training Formations

Matted Room

Pit Construction

Bayonet Assault Course

Section IV. Teaching Techniques

Warm-Ups and Stretches

Crawl, Walk, and Run

Demonstrations

Execution by the Numbers

Execution at Combat Speed

Drills

Training Pads and Other Protective Equipment

Chapter 3. Basic Ground-Fighting Techniques

Section I. Dominant Body Position

Back Mount

Front Mount

Guard

Side Control

Section II. Basic Techniques

Body Positioning Moves

Finishing Moves

Drills

Defense Against Headlocks

Chapter 4. Advanced Ground-Fighting Techniques

Section I. Advanced Attacks

Advanced Body Positions

Pass the Guard

Attacks from the Mount

Attacks from the Back Mount

Attacks from the Guard

Knee Mount

Leg Attacks

Section II. Strikes

Pass the Guard

Striking from Side Control

Defending Against Strikes in the Guard

Chapter 5. Takedowns and Throws

FM 3-25.150 (FM 21-150) COMBATIVES HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY DISTRIBUTION RESTRICTION: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. PREFACE This field manual contains information and guidance pertaining to rifle-bayonet fighting and hand-to-hand combat. The hand-to-hand combat portion of this manual is divided into basic and advanced training. This manual serves as a guide for instructors, trainers, and soldiers in the art of instinctive rifle-bayonet fighting. The proponent for this publication is the United States Army Infantry School. Send comments and recommendations on DA Form 2028 (Recommended Changes to Publications and Blank Forms) directly to Commandant, United States Army Infantry School, ATTN: ATSH-RB, Fort Benning, GA, 31905-5430. Unless this publication states otherwise, masculine nouns and pronouns do not refer exclusively to men. FIELD MANUAL HEADQUARTERS No. 3-25.150 DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY WASHINGTON, DC, 18 January 2002 COMBATIVES TABLE OF CONTENTS Page PREFACE ......................................................................................................................... iv CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION 1-1. Definition of Combatives .......................................................... 1-1 1-2. Purposes of Combative Training............................................... 1-1 1-3. Basic Principles ......................................................................... 1-1 1-4. Safety......................................................................................... 1-2 CHAPTER 2. TRAINING Section I. Train-the-Trainer...................................................................................2-1 2-1. Responsibilities of Trainers ......................................................2-1 2-2. Safety Precautions .....................................................................2-1 Section II. Unit Training .........................................................................................2-2 2-3. Basic or One-Station Unit Training ..........................................2-3 2-4. Unit Sustainment Training Program .........................................2-4 Section III. Training Areas.......................................................................................2-4 2-5. Training Formations..................................................................2-4 2-6. Matted Room.............................................................................2-5 2-7. Pit Construction.........................................................................2-5 2-8. Bayonet Assault Course ............................................................2-6 Section IV. Teaching Techniques ..........................................................................2-12 2-9. Warm-Ups and Stretches.........................................................2-12 2-10. Crawl, Walk, and Run .............................................................2-18 2-11. Demonstrations .......................................................................2-18 2-12. Execution by the Numbers ......................................................2-19 2-13. Execution at Combat Speed ....................................................2-19 2-14. Drills........................................................................................2-19 2-15. Training Pads and Other Protective Equipment......................2-19 DISTRIBUTION RESTRICTION: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. *This publication supersedes FM 21-150, 30 September 1992. Page CHAPTER 3. BASIC GROUND-FIGHTING TECHNIQUES Section I. Dominant Body Position ....................................................................... 3-1 3-1. Back Mount ............................................................................... 3-1 3-2. Front Mount ..............................................................................

FAQs

What training topics does FM 3-25.150 cover?

It covers rifle-bayonet fighting and hand-to-hand combat, with the hand-to-hand portion divided into basic and advanced training. The contents also include training methods and ground-fighting techniques.

Who is FM 3-25.150 intended to support?

It serves as a guide for instructors, trainers, and soldiers. It is designed to support how combatives are taught and executed.

How is the manual organized for instruction and learning?

The manual is structured into chapters and sections, beginning with introduction and safety, then progressing through training and teaching techniques. It then moves from basic ground-fighting techniques to advanced techniques.

Oct 22, 2026

Uploaded by Mabel