Hey, folks,

Whit sez you might want to know this stuff, so here it goes ...
I might be able to answer general questions - clarifications, etc. - 
but I have no references to answer "What's the manual for 
xxx weapons system?" 

Unless I have it already, you're probably on your own ...
Just use this info to "buy smart." The money you save
could be spent on ammunition ... <g>

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The Army puts out manuals on all kinds of subjects, and
has a kind of confusing way of labeling them. A little
translation can go a long way towards finding out what is
covered; this may help you do that.

FM - Field Manual. Usually covers basic subjects or skills,
including those relating to normal operation and use of
weapons systems. Tactics, crew drills, marksmanship,
and basic maintenance ("field-strip") tend to be covered.

FC - Field Circular. I could never get a good description
of the difference from FM's, but I have the impression
that the information in an FC is less "carved in stone."

TM - Technical Manual. Highly specific maintenance
information; normal and abnormal functioning; parts and
tool listings; detailed assembly/disassembly steps; other
"gunsmithing" goodies.

LO - Lubrication Order. Where to grease the pig, 
how often, and what with. Usually written for larger 
things, like vehicles and aircraft. More recently
produced on plasticized or laminated sheets ...
which kinda makes sense, given their close relationship
with grease and oil.

Both TM's and LO's follow a general pattern in the
last two digits of the (extremely long) number. Those
digits indicate the level at which the information applies.

-10     Operator/Crew.
-20     Organizational Maintenance (Armorer).
-30     Direct Support.
-40     General Support
-50     Depot

This two-digit number may also appear as a *combination*
of the above stuff; that is, a -15 manual is used by *everyone*,
(running together -10 and -50 to get a range of  -15) and a 
-34 is used by Direct Support and General Support only.

A "P" may be appended for a Parts manual. Thus, a
-23P contains only parts that Organizational and DS can
order and replace: a -23&P contains *both* information
*and* parts listings.

Practically speaking, the Army trusts folks with more
maintenance info the higher up the maintenance chain
you go. If you have a certain favorite weapon system,
(... that the US Army has used "recently" ...) and you can 
collect TM's that cover all five levels in some combination, 
you pretty much have all the official maintenance info.

Hope it helps demystify the stuff!

- Mitch