This multi-Service tactics, techniques, and procedures (MTTP) publication is a project of the Air Land Sea Application (ALSA) Center in accordance with the memorandum of agreement between the Headquarters of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps doctrine commander directing ALSA to develop MTTP publications to meet the immediate needs of the warfighter.
This MTTP publication includes US Coast Guard participation and has been prepared by ALSA under our direction for implementation by our respective commands and for use by other commands as appropriate.
Military Diving Operations (MDO) is a single source, descriptive reference guide to ensure effective planning and integration of multi-Service operations. This multi-Service tactics, techniques, and procedures (MTTP) publication provides combatant command, joint force, joint task force (JTF), and operational staffs with a comprehensive resource for planning military diving operations It includes capabilities, limitations, and employment considerations.
MDO describes United States (US) military dive mission areas (DMAs) as well as the force structure, equipment, and primary missions each Service could provide in support of joint operations. Commanders and staffs at all levels can use the MTTP to plan for employment of the capabilities of the US military dive forces in situations across the spectrum of dive operations. MDO is designed for planners at the tactical and operational level. It defines methods to ensure diving capabilities are integrated and provides quick reference charts on Service-specific dive team capabilities.
MDO applies to commanders and planners at all levels across the Armed Services, to include US Army, US Air Force, US Marine Corps, US Navy, and US Coast Guard, who employ military dive forces when directing multi-Service and joint force operations. It is intended to be theater nonspecific and provides information extracted from existing Service directives, current lessons learned, and inputs from subject matter experts (SMEs).
Chapter I Military Diving Operations Planning
Chapter I provides an introduction to MDO and outlines considerations for coordinating and planning dive operations. It provides decision aids to assist the staff planner with determining which DMAs and subcategories are required to support the overall mission.
Chapter II Dive Mission Areas
Chapter II describes the thirteen major dive mission areas and their subcategories that may be performed by military divers.
Chapters III-VIII
Chapters III-VIII provide Service-specific dive missions, organizations, employment concepts, and capabilities.
Appendix A Dive Point of Contact List
Appendix A provides a comprehensive list of dive program points of contact, including Service program managers and major units.
Appendix B Common Equipment and Restrictions Appendix B provides a list of equipment and restrictions common to divers from all Services.
Appendix C Dive Mission Area Unit Capability Chart
Appendix C provides a quick-reference chart listing dive unit capabilities to accomplish each of the DMAs and subcategories.
