Recent changes have made urban operations a greater probability in future contingencies. For years, the common approach to military operations in urban terrain (MOUT) has been to avoid it as much as possible. With that approach, our doctrine and training emphasis has been away from MOUT. Although we have survived with this strategy in the past, it is quickly becoming an obsolete and dangerous approach. The doctrinal approach to MOUT has been to treat the urban environment as different terrain on which to apply conventional tactics. This view is espoused in the Field Manual 90-10, Military Operations in Urban Terrain, written in 1979. Many changes have occurred since 1979. Field Manual 90-10 also needs to change. The urban environment is complex. This potential battlefield is complicated by the congestion of noncombatants. They rely on the city for many basic needs. Understanding the fundamentals of a city can be a force multiplier for commanders and planners. This paper analyzes this system of systems and proposes doctrinal modification.

ADA 300727 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)