Defensive Operations Squad/Platoon

Question 1

What is the purpose of a defense?

Answer 1

To create conditions for the offense that allows Army forces to regain the initiative.

Question 2

What are the characteristics of a defense?

Answer 2

Disruption
Flexibility
Maneuver
Mass and Concentration
Operations in Depth
Preparation
Security

Question 3

What are the three types of defensive operations?

Answer 3

Area Defense: Focuses on terrain

Mobile Defense: Focuses on the movement of enemy forces

Retrograde: Focuses on the movement of friendly forces

• Delay
• Withdraw
• Retirement

Question 4

What are the five types of Battle Positions?

Answer 4

Primary
-Position that covers the enemy’s most likely avenue of approach into the area of operations.

Alternate
- Defensive position that the commander assigns to a unit or weapon system for occupation when the primary position becomes untenable or unsuitable for
carrying out the assigned task.

Supplementary
- Defensive position located within a unit’s assigned area of operations that provides the best sectors of fire and defensive terrain along an avenue of
approach that is not the primary avenue where the enemy is expected to attack.

Subsequent
- Position that a unit expects to move to during the course of battle.

Strong Point
- Heavily fortified battle position tied to a natural or reinforcing obstacle to create an anchor for the defense or to deny the enemy decisive or key terrain.