Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad
ATP 3-21.8 is the techniques manual for the Infantry rifle platoon and squad across Infantry, Stryker, and armored brigade combat teams. It carries battle drills, movement formations, and the offensive and defensive tasks small units actually execute. The posted file is the January 2024 edition incorporating change 1, dated June 2025.
Open the official record- Type
- ATP
- Edition verified
- January 2024
- Used in
- Training
What to take from it
- Covers movement formations, movement techniques, and the fundamentals of fire and movement.
- Contains the battle drills a squad and platoon are expected to execute on command.
- Applies to Infantry platoons in Infantry, Stryker, and armored brigade combat teams.
- Supersedes ATP 3-21.8 dated 12 April 2016; the title is Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad.
These points are our summary, written for recall. They are not a substitute for the publication and they will not cover everything a board can ask. Read the source.
Board questions from this publication
What are the three weapons control statuses?
Weapons hold, weapons tight, and weapons free. Weapons hold means engage only in self-defense or when directly ordered. Weapons tight means engage only targets positively identified as hostile. Weapons free means engage any target not positively identified as friendly.
ATP 3-21.8, Infantry Platoon and Squad