Public Affairs Operations

Field Manual 46-1 is the keystone doctrinal manual for U.S. Army Public Affairs operations. It focuses on how the Army thinks about public affairs and describes public affairs roles, missions, capabilities and organizations for the active Army, U.S. Army Reserve and Army National Guard. It also describes public affairs employment, command and control, and support across the operational continuum. This manual is the basis for Public Affairs force design and materiel acquisition. It supports the doctrinal requirements of the Concept Based Requirements System and is the authoritative foundation for the integration of Public Affairs into Army doctrine, individual and unit training, leader development force design and materiel acquisition initiatives. FM 46-1 is directly linked to, and must be used in conjunction with FM 100-5, FM 100-6, TRADOC PAM 525-5 and Joint Publication 1-07. FM 46-1 is the doctrinal guide for commanders, planners, and users of Army Public Affairs. It is also a guide for those who must consider the effects public affairs has on military operations. It describes the fundamental principles and concepts for providing information to a wide range of internal and external audiences-soldiers, family members, retirees, political leaders, the general public, allies and adversaries.