Doctrinal Concepts

Question 1

BATTLEFIELD ORGANIZATION: Decisive Operations

Answer 1

Decisive operations are those that directly accomplish the mission assigned by the higher headquarters. Decisive operations conclusively determine the outcome of major operations, battles, and engagements. There is only one decisive operation for any major operation, battle, or engagement for any given echelon. The main effort and the decisive operation are not always the same.

Commanders anticipate shifts of main efforts throughout an operation and include those associated shifts in priorities, assets, and resources to them (subordinates) in the plan. In contrast, changing the decisive operation requires execution of a branch, sequel, or new plan.

A shaping operation may be the main effort before execution of the decisive operation. However, the decisive operation becomes the main effort upon execution.

Question 2

BATTLEFIELD ORGANIZATION: Shaping Operations

Answer 2

Operations at any echelon that create and preserve conditions for the success of the decisive operation.

Shaping operations include lethal and nonlethal activities conducted throughout the AO. They support the decisive operation by affecting the enemy capabilities and forces, or by influencing enemy decisions.

Question 3

BATTLEFIELD ORGANIZATION: Sustaining Operations

Answer 3

operations at any echelon that enable shaping an decisive operations by providing sustainment, rear area and base security, movement control, terrain management, and infrastructure development.

Question 4

TROOP LEADING PROCEDURES: Warning Order

Answer 4

The first warning order follows the five-paragraph OPORD format and includes the following
items, at a minimum:

• Type of operation.
• General location of operation.
• Initial operational timeline.
• Reconnaissance to initiate.
• Movement to initiate.
• Planning and preparation instructions (to include planning timeline).
• Information requirements.
• Commander’s critical information requirements

The most important element of the leaders’ warning orders is the initial timeline for planning.

Question 5

TENETS AND FOUNDATIONS OF UNIFIED LAND OPERATIONS: Foundations

Answer 5

1. Foundations: By integrating the four foundations of unified land operations- initiative, decisive action, Army Core Competencies, and mission command- Army Commanders can achieve strategic success. Strategic success requires full integration of U.S. military operations with the efforts of unified action partners.

• Initiative: The foundations of unified land operations begin and end with the exercise of individual and operational initiative. Initiative is used to gain a position of advantage that degrades and defeats the enemy throughout the depth of an organization. Operational Initiative is setting or dictating the terms of action throughout an operation. Individual Initiative is the willingness to act in the absence of orders, when existing orders no longer fit the situation, or when unforeseen opportunities or threats arise.
• Decisive Action: Army demonstrates the Army’s core competencies through decisive action- the continuous, simultaneous combinations of offensive, defensive, and stability or defense support of civil authorities’ tasks. In unified land operations, commanders seek to seize, retain, and exploit the initiative while synchronizing their actions to achieve the best effects possible.
• Army Competencies (combined arms maneuver and wide area security): The army demonstrates its core competencies through decisive action. The two competencies provide the means for balancing the application of Army war-fighting functions within the tactical actions and tasks inherent in the offense, defense, and stability overseas, or defense support of civil authorities in the United States.

– Combined arms maneuver is the application of the elements of combat power in unified action to defeat enemy ground forces: to seize, occupy, and defend land areas; and to achieve physical, temporal, and psychological advantages over the enemy to seize and exploit the initiative.

– Wide Area Security is the application of the elements of combat power in unified action to protect populations, forces, infrastructure, and activities; to deny enemy positions of advantage; and to consolidate gains in order to retain the initiative.

• Mission Command: It is the exercise of authority and direction by the commander using mission orders to enable disciplined initiative within the commander’s intent to empower agile and adaptive leaders in the conduct of unified land operations.

Question 6

TENETS AND FOUNDATIONS OF UNIFIED LAND OPERATIONS: Tenets

Answer 6

• Flexibility: To achieve tactical, operational, and strategic success, commanders seek to demonstrate flexibility in spite of adversity.
• Integration: Army forces do not operate independently but as a part of a larger unified action. Army leaders integrate Army operations within this larger effort. Integration involves efforts to exercise inform and influence activities with unified action partners and efforts to conform Army capabilities and plans to the larger concept.
• Lethality: Effective decisive action relies on lethality. The capacity for physical destruction is a foundation of all other military capabilities, the most basic building block for military operations.
• Adaptability: reflects a quality that Army leaders and forces exhibit through critical thinking, their comfort with ambiguity and uncertainty, their willingness to accept prudent risk, and their ability to rapidly adjust while continuously assessing the situation.
• Depth: Is the extension of operations in time, space, or purpose, including deep-close-security operations, to achieve definitive results.
• Synchronization: Is the arrangement of military actions in time, space, and purpose to produce maximum relative combat power at a decisive place and time. It is the ability to execute multiple related and mutually supporting tasks in different locations at the same time, producing greater effects than executing each in isolation.

Question 7

Principles of Joint Operations

Answer 7

1. Objective: The purpose of specifying the objective is to direct every military operation toward a clearly defined, decisive, and achievable goal.
2. Offensive: the purpose of an offensive action is to seize, retain, and exploit the initiative.
3. Mass: The purpose of mass is to concentrate the effects of combat power at the most advantageous place and time to produce decisive results.
4. Maneuver: The purpose of maneuver is to place the enemy in a position of disadvantage through the flexible application of combat power.
5. Economy of Force: The purpose of economy of force is to expend minimum essential combat power on secondary efforts in order to allocate the maximum possible combat power on primary efforts.
6. Unity of Command: The purpose of unity of command is to ensure unity of effort under one responsible commander for every objective.
7. Security: The purpose of security is to prevent the enemy from acquiring unexpected advantage.
8. Surprise: The purpose of surprise is to strike at a time or place or in a manner for which the enemy is unprepared.
9. Simplicity: The purpose of simplicity is to increase the probability that plans and operations will be executed as intended by preparing clear, uncomplicated plans and concise orders.
10. Restraint: The purpose of restraint is to limit collateral damage and prevent the unnecessary use of force.
11. Perseverance: The purpose of perseverance is to ensure the commitment necessary to attain the national strategic end state.
12. Legitimacy: The purpose of legitimacy is to maintain legal and moral authority in the conduct of operations.

Question 8

Steps of Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield

Answer 8

Define the Operational Environment
Describe the Operational Environment’s Effects
Evaluate the Threat
Determine Threat Courses of Action

Question 9

THE MISSION STATEMENT (FM 3-21.8):

Answer 9

The platoon leader uses the mission statement to summarize the upcoming operation. This brief paragraph (usually a single sentence) describes who (unit), what (task[s]), when (date-time group), where (grid location or geographical reference for the AO or objective), and why (purpose). The platoon leader must ensure that the mission is thoroughly understood by all leaders and Soldiers one and two echelons down. The following considerations apply in development of the mission statement.

Question 10

DESICIVE POINT (FM 3-21.10, ADRP 1-02)

Answer 10

A geographic place, specific key event, critical factor, or function that, when acted upon, allows commanders to gain a marked advantage over an adversary or contribute materially to achieving success.

Question 11

OFFENSIVE TASKS (ADRP 3-90)

Answer 11

An offensive task is a task conducted to defeat and destroy enemy forces and seize terrain, resources, and population centers. The four primary offensive task are movement to contact, attack, exploitation, and pursuit.

1. Movement to Contact: Designed to develop the situation and to establish or regain contact.
2. Attack: Offensive task that destroys or defeats enemy forces, seizes and secures terrain, or both.
3. Exploitation: Offensive task that usually follows the conduct of a successful attack and is designed to disorganize the enemy in depth.
4. Pursuit: Offensive task designed to catch or cut off a hostile force attempting to escape, with the aim of destroying it.

Question 12

DEFENSIVE TASKS (ADP 3-90)

Answer 12

1. Area Defense: Defensive task that concentrates on denying enemy forces access to designated terrain for a specific time rather than destroying the enemy outright.
2. Mobile Defense: Defensive task that concentrates on the destruction or defeat of the enemy through a decisive attack by a striking force.
3. Retrograde: Defensive task that involves organized movement away from the enemy.

Question 13

CHARACTERISTICS OF DEFENSE (ADRP 3-90)

Answer 13

Preparation 
Security 
Disruption 
Mass and concentration
Maneuver
Operations in depth
Flexibility 

1. Disruption: Defenders disrupt the attackers’ tempo and synchronization with actions designed to prevent them from massing combat power. Commanders employ disruptive actions to unhinge the enemy’s preparations and attacks. Disruption methods include misdirecting or destroying enemy reconnaissance forces, breaking up formations, isolating units, and attacking or disrupting systems. Defenders never allow attackers to fully prepare. They use spoiling attacks before enemies can focus combat power and counterattack before the attackening enemy can consolidate any gains. Defenders target command electronic warfare assets against enemy command and control systems and constantly disrupt enemy forces in depth.
2. Flexibility: The conduct of the defense requires flexible plans. Commanders focus planning on preparations in depth, use of reserves, and the ability to shift the main effort. Commanders add flexibility by designating supplementary positions, designing counterattack plans, and preparing to counterattack.
3. Mass and Concentration: Defenders seek to mass the effects of overwhelming combat power where they choose and shift it to support the decisive operation. Commanders retain and, when necessary, reconstitute a reserve and maneuver to gain local superiority at the point of decision. Defending commanders may surrender some ground to gain time to concentrate the defending force’s effects. Commanders accept risk in some areas to mass effects elsewhere. Obstacles, security forces, and fires can assist in reducing risk. Since concentrating forces increases the threat of large losses from weapons of mass destruction, commanders use deception and concealment to hide any necessary force concentrations. They also protect their forces with air and missile defenses.
4. Operations In Depth: Simultaneous application of combat power throughout the area of operations improves the chances for success while minimizing friendly casualties. Quick, violent, and simultaneous action throughout the depth of the defender’s area of operations can hurt, confuse, and even paralyze an enemy force just as that enemy force is most exposed and vulnerable. Such actions weaken the enemy’s will and do not allow any early enemy successes to build the confidence of the enemy’s soldiers and leaders. Operations in depth prevent the enemy from gaining momentum in the attack. Synchronization of decisive, shaping, and sustaining operations facilitates mission success.
5. Preparation: The defense has inherent strengths. The defender arrives in the area of operations before the attacker and uses the available time to prepare. Defenders study the ground and select positions that allow the massing of fires on likely approaches. They combine natural and manmade obstacles to canalize attacking forces into engagement areas. Defending forces coordinate and rehearse actions on the ground, gaining intimate familiarity with the terrain. They place security, intelligence, and reconnaissance forces throughout the area of operations. These preparations multiply the effectiveness of the defense. Commanders continue defensive preparations in depth, even as the close engagement begins.
6. Security: Commanders secure their forces principally through protection, military deception, inform and influence activities, and cyber electromagnetic activities. Security operations prevent enemy intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets from determining friendly locations, strengths, and weaknesses. These measures also provide early warning and early and continuously disrupt enemy attacks. Protection efforts preserve combat power. Military deception and cyber electromagnetic activities inaccurately portray friendly forces, mislead enemy commanders, and deny those same enemy commanders the ability to use cyberspace and the electromagnetic spectrum. These measures all contribute to the defender’s security.

Question 14

CHARACTERISTICS OF OFFENSE (ADRP 3-90)

Answer 14

(SCAT)

Surprise – attacking the enemy in a time/place he does not expect or in a manner for which he is unprepared
Concentration – the massing of overwhelming combat power to achieve a single purpose
Audacity – a simple plan, boldly execute
Tempo – necessary to retain the initiative
1. Audacity: means boldly executing a simple plan of action. Commanders display audacity by develop bold, inventive plans that produce decisive results.

2. Concentration: is the massing of overwhelming effects of combat power to achieve a single purpose. Commanders balance the necessity for concentrating forces to mass effects w/ the need to disperse them to avoid creating lucrative targets.
3. Surprise: Commanders achieve surprise by attacking the enemy at a time or place the enemy does not expect or in a manner that the enemy is unprepared for. Estimating the enemy commander’s intent and denying that commander the ability to gain thorough and timely situational understanding is necessary to achieve surprise.
4. Tempo: Controlling or altering tempo is necessary to retain the initiative. At the operational level, a faster tempo allows attackers to disrupt enemy defensive plans by achieving results quicker than the enemy can respond.

Question 15

LEVELS OF WAR (JP 3-0

Answer 15

The levels of war model the relationship between national objectives and tactical actions.

1. Strategic Level: In the context of military operations, strategy develops an idea or set of ideas for employing the instruments of national power in a synchronized and integrated fashion to achieve theater, national, and/or multinational objectives.
2. Operational Level: The operational level links the tactical employment of forces to national and military strategic objectives.
3. Tactical Level: Tactics is the employment and ordered and ordered arrangement of forces in relation to each other. Join doctrine focuses this term on planning and executing battles, engagements, and activities at the tactical level to achieve military objectives assigned to tactical units or task forces.

Question 16

FUNDAMENTALS OF RECOINNASANCE (ADRP 3-90)

Answer 16

The reconnaissance objective is a terrain feature, geographic area, enemy force, adversary, or other mission or operational variable, such as specific civil considerations, about which the commander wants to obtain additional information. There are seven fundamentals of successful reconnaissance operations. Commanders—
1. Ensure continuous reconnaissance.

2. Do not keep reconnaissance assets in reserve.
3. Orient on the reconnaissance objective.
4. Report information rapidly and accurately.
5. Retain freedom of maneuver.
6. Gain and maintain enemy contact.
7. Develop the situation rapidly.

Question 17

FUNDAMENTALS OF SECURITY (ADRP 3-90

Answer 17

1. Provide early and accurate warning.
2. Provide reaction time and maneuver space.
3. Orient on the force or facility to be secured.
4. Perform continuous reconnaissance.
5. Maintain enemy contact

Security operations are those operations undertaken by a commander to provide early and accurate warning of enemy operations, to provide the force being protected with time and maneuver space within which to react to the enemy, and to develop the situation to allow the commander to effectively use the protected force. Successful security operations depend on properly applying five fundamentals:

Question 18

PRINCIPLES OF DIRECT FIRE CONTROL (FM 3-90.1)

Answer 18

1. MASS EFFECTS OF FIRE
2. DESTROY GREATEST THREAT FIRST
3. AVOID TARGET OVERKILL
4. EMPLOY BEST WEAPON FOR TARGET
5. MINIMIZE FRIENDLY EXPOSURE
6. PLAN AND IMPLEMENT FRATRICIDE AVOIDANCE MEASURES:
7. PLAN FOR EXTREME LIMITED VISIBILITY CONDITIONS
8. PLAN FOR DIMINISHED CAPABILITIES:

When planning and executing direct fires, the Infantry company commander and subordinate leaders must know how to apply several fundamental principles. The purpose of these direct fire control principles is not to restrict the actions of subordinates, but to help the company accomplish the primary goal of any direct fire engagement: to eliminate the enemy by acquiring first and shooting first. Applied correctly, these principles give subordinates the freedom to respond rapidly upon acquisition of the enemy. This discussion focuses on the following principles.

1. MASS EFFECTS OF FIRE: The Infantry company must mass its direct fires to achieve decisive results. Massing entails focusing direct fires at critical points and distributing the effects. Random application of fires is unlikely to have a decisive effect. For example, concentrating the company’s fires at a single target may ensure its destruction or suppression; however, that fire control option will fail to achieve the decisive effect on the remainder of the enemy formation or position.
2. DESTROY GREATEST THREAT FIRST: The order in which the Infantry company engages enemy forces is in direct relation to the danger these forces present. The threat posed by the enemy depends on his weapons, range, and positioning. Presented with multiple targets, a unit must initially concentrate direct fires to destroy the greatest threat, and then distribute fires over the remainder of the enemy force.
3. AVOID TARGET OVERKILL: Use only the amount of fire required to achieve necessary effects. Target overkill wastes ammunition and is not tactically sound. To the other extreme, the company cannot have every weapon engage a different target because the requirement to destroy the greatest threats first remains paramount.
4. EMPLOY BEST WEAPON FOR TARGET: Using the appropriate weapon for the target increases the probability of rapid enemy destruction or suppression; at the same time, it conserves ammunition. The Infantry company has many weapons with which to engage the enemy. Target type, range, and exposure are key factors in determining the weapon and ammunition that should be employed, as are weapons and ammunition availability and desired target effects. The company commander arrays his forces based on the terrain, enemy, and desired effects of all of his available direct fires.
5. MINIMIZE FRIENDLY EXPOSURE: Units increase their survivability by exposing themselves to the enemy only to the extent necessary to engage him effectively. Natural or manmade defilade provides the best cover from ATGMs and other large caliber direct fire munitions. Dismounted Infantry minimize their exposure by constantly seeking effective available cover, trying to engage the enemy from the flank, remaining dispersed, firing from multiple positions, and limiting engagement times.
6. PLAN AND IMPLEMENT FRATRICIDE AVOIDANCE MEASURES: The company commander must work proactively to reduce the risk of fratricide and noncombatant casualties. He must plan and use the numerous tools to assist him in this effort: identification training for combat vehicles and aircraft, the unit’s weapons safety posture, the weapons control status (WCS), and recognition markings. Knowledge and employment of applicable ROE are the primary means of preventing noncombatant casualties.
7. PLAN FOR EXTREME LIMITED VISIBILITY CONDITIONS: At night, limited visibility fire control equipment enables the Infantry company to engage enemy forces at nearly the same ranges that are applicable during the day. However, obscurants such as dense fog, heavy rain, heavy smoke, and blowing sand can reduce the capabilities of thermal and IR equipment. The company commander develops contingencies for limited visibility conditions. Although a decrease in acquisition capabilities has little effect on area fire, point target engagements are likely to occur at decreased ranges. Firing positions, whether offensive or defensive, typically must be adjusted closer to the area or point where the commander intends to focus fires. Another alternative is the use of visual or IR illumination when there is insufficient ambient light for passive light intensification devices.
8. PLAN FOR DIMINISHED CAPABILITIES: Leaders initially develop plans based on their units’ maximum capabilities; they make backup plans for implementation in the event of casualties, weapon damage, or failure. While leaders cannot anticipate or plan for every situation, they develop plans for what they view as the most probable occurrences. Building redundancy into these plans, such as having two systems observe the same sector, is an invaluable asset when the situation (and the number of available systems) permits. Designating alternate sectors of fire and supplementary firing positions provides a means of shifting fires if adjacent elements become unable to fire.

Question 19

Terrain-based fire control measures

Answer 19

The Infantry company commander uses terrain-based fire-control measures to focus and control fires on a particular point, line, or area rather than on a specific enemy element. The following paragraphs describe the techniques associated with this type of control measure.

1. Target Reference Point (TRP):
2. Engagement Area
3. Sector of Fire
4. Direction of Fire
5. Quadrant
6. Terrain-Based Quadrant
7. Friendly-Based Quadrant
8. Maximum Engagement Line
9. Restrictive Fire Line
10. Final Protective Line

Question 20

Terrain-based fire control measures

Target Reference Point

Answer 20

an easily recognizable point on the ground that leaders use to orient friendly forces and to focus and control direct fires. In addition, when TRPs are designated as indirect fire targets, they can be used in calling for and adjusting indirect fires. Leaders designate TRPs at probable (or known) enemy locations and along likely avenues of approach. TRPs, natural or manmade, can be established sites such as hills or buildings. They can also be expedient, temporary features designated as TRPs on the spot such as a burning enemy vehicle or smoke generated by an artillery round. While not ideal, TRPs can also be made by the unit with items such as engineer pickets with visible or IR chem-lights or IR strobe in the recessed grove of the picket. Ideally, TRPs should be permanent features and visible in three observation modes (unaided, passive-IR, and thermal) so all forces can identify them, for example—

a) Prominent hill mass.
b) Distinctive building.
c) Observable enemy position.
d) Destroyed vehicle.
e) Ground-burst illumination.
f) Smoke round.
g) Laser point.

Question 21

Terrain-based fire control measures

Engagement Area

Answer 21

This fire control measure is an area along an enemy avenue of approach where the company commander intends to mass the direct fires of available weapons to destroy an enemy force. The size and shape of the EA is determined by the degree of relatively unobstructed intervisibility available to the unit’s weapons systems in their firing positions and by the maximum range of those weapons. Typically, company commanders delineate responsibility within the EA by assigning each platoon a sector of fire.

Question 22

Terrain-based fire control measures

Sector of Fire

Answer 22

A sector of fire is a defined area that must be covered by direct fire. It is used to distribute fires within an EA. Leaders assign sectors of fire to subordinate elements, crew-served weapons, and individual Soldiers to ensure coverage of an area of responsibility. They may also limit the sector of fire of an element or weapon to prevent accidental engagement of an adjacent unit. In assigning sectors of fire, commanders and subordinate leaders consider the number and types of weapons available. They also consider acquisition system type and field of view in determining the width of a sector of fire. For example, while unaided vision has a wide field of view, its ability to detect and identify targets at distant ranges and in limited visibility conditions is restricted. Conversely, most fire control acquisition systems have greater detection and identification ranges than the unaided eye, but their field of view is narrow. Means ofdesignating sectors of fire include–

a) Target reference points.
b) Clock direction.
c) Terrain-based quadrants.
d) Friendly based quadrants.

Question 23

Terrain-based fire control measures

Direction of Fire

Answer 23

A direction of fire is an orientation or point used to assign responsibility for a particular area on the battlefield that must be covered by direct fire. Leaders designate directions of fire for the purpose of acquisition or engagement by crew-served weapons, or individual Soldiers. Direction of fire is most commonly employed when assigning sectors of fire would be difficult or impossible because of limited time or insufficient reference points. Means of designating a direction of fire include–

a) Closest target reference point.
b) Clock direction.
c) Cardinal direction.
d) Tracer on target.
e) Infrared laser pointer.

Question 24

Terrain-based fire control measures

Quadrant

Answer 24

are subdivisions of an area created by superimposing imaginary perpendicular axes over the terrain to create four separate areas, or quadrants. Quadrants can be based on the terrain, on friendly forces, or on the enemy formation. The technique in which quadrants are based on the enemy formation is usually referred to as the target array and is covered in threat-based fire control measures. The method of identifying quadrants is established in the unit SOP, but the unit must take care to avoid confusion when using quadrants based on terrain, friendly forces, and enemy formations simultaneously.

Question 25

Terrain-based fire control measures

Terrain-based Quadrant

Answer 25

A terrain-based quadrant entails use of a TRP, either existing or constructed, to designate the center point of the axes that divide the area into four quadrants. This technique can be employed in both offensive and defensive operations. In the offense, the company commander designates the center of the quadrant using an existing feature or by creating a reference point such as using a ground burst illumination round, a smoke marking round, or a fire ignited by incendiary or tracer rounds. The axes delineating the quadrants run parallel and perpendicular to the direction of movement. In the defense, the company commander designates the center of the quadrant using an existing or constructed TRP. tthe quadrants are marked using the letter “Q” and a number (Q1 to Q4); quadrant numbers are
in the same relative positions as on military map sheets (from Q1 as the upper left quadrant clockwise to Q4 as the lower left quadrant).

Question 26

Terrain-based fire control measures

Friendly-based Quadrant

Answer 26

The friendly based quadrant technique entails superimposing quadrants over the unit’s formation. The center point is based on the center of the formation, and the axes run parallel and perpendicular to the general direction of travel. For rapid orientation, the friendly quadrant technique might be better than the clock direction method because different elements of a large formation are rarely oriented in the same exact direction and because the relative dispersion of friendly forces causes parallax to the target.

Question 27

Terrain-based fire control measures

Maximum Engagement Line (MEL)

Answer 27

A MEL is the linear image of the farthest limit of effective fire for a weapon or unit. This line is determined both by the weapon’s or unit’s maximum effective range, and by the effects of terrain. For example, slope, vegetation, structures, and other features provide cover and concealment that may prevent the weapon from engaging out to the maximum effective range. A MEL serves several purposes. The company commander may use it to prevent engaging beyond the maximum effective range of their weapons, to define criteria for the establishment of triggers, and to delineate the maximum extent of battle space on the sector sketch.

Question 28

Terrain-based fire control measures

Restrictive Fire Line

Answer 28

An RFL is a line established between converging friendly forces (one or both might be moving) that prohibit fires and effects across the line without coordination with the affected force. In the offense, the company commander may designate an RFL to prevent a base of fire platoon from firing into the area where an assaulting platoon is maneuvering. In the defense, the company commander may establish an RFL to prevent the unit from engaging an Infantry squad positioned in restricted terrain on the flank of an enemy avenue of approach.

Question 29

Terrain-based fire control measures

Final Protective Line

Answer 29

The FPL is a line of fire established where an enemy assault is to be halted by the interlocking fires of all available weapons. The unit reinforces this line with protective, tactical, and supplemental obstacles and with FPFs whenever possible. Initiation of the FPF is the signal for elements and individual Soldiers to shift fires to their assigned portion of the FPL.

Question 30

THREAT-BASED FIRE-CONTROL MEASURES

Answer 30

1. Fire Patterns
   a. Frontal Fire
   b. Cross Fire
   c. Depth Fire
2. Target Array
3. Engagement Priorities
   a) Prioritize Targets:
   b) Employ Best Weapons for Target
   c) Distribute Unit’s Fires
4. Weapons Ready Posture
5. Engagement Criteria
6. Rules of Engagement
7. Weapons Control Status
   a) WEAPONS HOLD (Engage only if engaged or ordered to engage)
   b) WEAPONS TIGHT (Engage only targets positively identified as enemy)
   c) WEAPONS FREE (Engage any targets not positively identified as friendly)
8. Engagement Techniques
   a) Point Fire
   b) Area Fire
   c) Alternating Fire
   d) Sequential Fire
   e) Simultaneous Fire
   f) Observed Fire
   g) Time of Suppression
   h) Reconnaissance by Fire

Question 31

THREAT-BASED FIRE-CONTROL MEASURES

Fire Patterns

Answer 31

Fire patterns are a threat-based fire control measure designed to distribute the fires of a unit simultaneously among multiple, similar targets. They are most often used by platoons to distribute fires across an enemy formation. Leaders designate and adjust fire patterns based on terrain and the enemy formation. The basic fire patterns are frontal fire, cross fire, and depth fire.

a. Frontal Fire: Leaders may initiate frontal fire (Figure 9-7) when targets are arrayed in front of the unit in a lateral configuration. Weapons systems engage targets to their respective fronts. For example, the left flank weapon engages the left-most target, and the right flank weapon engages the right-most target. As the unit destroys targets, weapons shift fires toward the center of the enemy formation and from near too far.
b. Cross Fire: Leaders initiate cross fire (Figure 9-8) when targets are arrayed laterally across the unit’s front in a manner that permits diagonal fires at the enemy’s flank or when obstructions prevent unit weapons from firing frontally. Right flank weapons engage the left-most targets, and left flank weapons engage the right-most targets. Firing diagonally across an EA provides more flank shots, thus increasing the chance of kills. It also reduces the possibility of the enemy detecting friendly elements. As the unit destroys targets, weapons shift fires toward the center of the enemy formation.
c. Depth Fire: Leaders initiate depth fire (Figure 9-9) when targets are dispersed in depth, perpendicular to the unit. Center weapons engage the closest targets, and flank weapons engage deeper targets. As the unit destroys targets, weapons shift fires toward the center of the enemy formation.

Question 32

THREAT-BASED FIRE-CONTROL MEASURES’

Target Array

Answer 32

Target array permits the company commander to distribute fires when the enemy force is concentrated and terrain-based controls are inadequate. This threat-based distribution measure is similar to the quadrant method mentioned in terrain-based fire control measures. The company commander creates the target array by superimposing a quadrant pattern over an enemy formation. The pattern centers on the enemy formation, with the axes running parallel and perpendicular to the enemy’s direction of travel. Quadrants are described using their relative locations. Figure 9-10, page 9-16 shows examples of the target array technique.

Question 33

THREAT-BASED FIRE-CONTROL MEASURES

Engagement Priorities

Answer 33

Engagement priorities entail the sequential ordering of targets to be engaged. They serve one or more of the following critical fire control functions.

a) Prioritize Targets: In concert with his concept of the operation, the company commander determines which target types provide the greatest threat to the company and sets these as engagement priorities. For example, he may decide that destroying enemy engineer assets is the best way to prevent the enemy from breaching an obstacle.
b) Employ Best Weapons for Target: Establishing engagement priorities for specific friendly systems increases the effectiveness with which the unit employs its weapons. As an example, the engagement priority for the Javelin could be enemy fortifications first, then enemy armored vehicles.
c) Distribute Unit’s Fires: Establishing different priorities for similar friendly systems helps to prevent overkill and achieve effective distribution of fires. For example, the company commander may designate the enemy fortifications as the initial priority for one Infantry platoon while making the enemy vehicles the priority for another Infantry platoon. This decreases the chance of multiple Javelins being fired against two enemy vehicles while ignoring the dangers posed by the fortifications.
4. Weapons Ready Posture: The weapons ready posture is a means by which leaders use the tactical information available to specify the ammunition and range for the most probable engagement. Ammunition selection depends on the target type, but the leader may adjust it based on engagement priorities, desired effects, and effective range. Range selection depends on the anticipated engagement range, and it is affected by terrain intervisibility, weather, and light conditions. Within the company, the weapons ready posture affects the types and quantities of ammunition and where they are located or cached.
5. Engagement Criteria: are a specific set of conditions that specify the circumstances in which subordinate elements are to engage. This is often referred to as a trigger. The circumstances can be based on a friendly or an enemy event. For example, the engagement criteria for a friendly platoon to initiate engagement could be three or more enemy combat vehicles passing or crossing a given point or line. This line can be any natural or manmade linear feature, such as a road, ridgeline, or stream, or a line perpendicular to the unit’s orientation, delineated by one or more reference points.
6. Rules of Engagement: The ROE specify the circumstances and limitations under which forces may engage. ROE include definitions of combatant and noncombatant elements and prescribe the treatment of noncombatants. Factors influencing ROE are national command policy, the mission and commander’s intent, the operational environment, and the law of war. ROE always recognize a Soldier’s right of self-defense; at the same time, they clearly define circumstances in which he may fire.

Question 34

THREAT-BASED FIRE-CONTROL MEASURES

Weapons Control Status

Answer 34

The three levels of weapons control status (WCS) outline the conditions, based on target identification criteria, under which friendly elements may engage. The commander sets and adjusts the weapons control status based on friendly and enemy disposition. In general, a more restrictive WCS relates to a higher probability of fratricide. The three levels, in descending order of restriction, are–

a) WEAPONS HOLD (Engage only if engaged or ordered to engage)
b) WEAPONS TIGHT (Engage only targets positively identified as enemy)
c) WEAPONS FREE (Engage any targets not positively identified as friendly)

Question 35

THREAT-BASED FIRE-CONTROL MEASURES

Engagement Techniques

Answer 35

Engagement techniques are effects-oriented direct fire distribution measures. The following engagement techniques are the most common in Infantry company operations.

a) Point Fire: Point fire concentrates the effects of a unit’s fire against a specific, identified target such as a vehicle, machine gun bunker, or ATGM position. When leaders direct point fire, all of the unit’s weapons engage the target, firing until it is destroyed or the required time of suppression has expired. Employing converging fires from dispersed positions makes point fire more effective because the unit engages the target from multiple directions. The unit may initiate an engagement using point fire against the most dangerous threat, then revert to area fire against other, less threatening point targets. (Use of point fire has been rare because a unit seldom encounters a single, clearly identified enemy weapon.)
b) Area Fire: Area fire involves distributing the effects of a unit’s direct fires over an area in which enemy positions are numerous or are not obvious. If the area is large, leaders assign sectors of fire to subordinate elements using a terrain-based distribution method such as the quadrant technique. Typically, the primary purpose of the area fire is suppression; however, sustaining effective suppression requires judicious control of the rate of fire.
c) Alternating Fire: In alternating fire, pairs of elements continuously engage the same point or area target one at a time. For example, a company team may alternate fires of two platoons; a tank platoon may alternate the fires of its sections, or an Infantry platoon may alternate the fires of a pair of machine guns. Alternating fire permits the unit to maintain suppression for a longer duration than simultaneous fire. It also forces the enemy to acquire and engage alternating points of fire.
d) Sequential Fire: In sequential fire, the subordinate elements of a unit engage the same point or area target one after another in an arranged sequence. Sequential fire can also help preserve ammunition, as when an Infantry platoon waits to see the effects of the first Javelin before firing another. Also, sequential fire permits elements that have already fired to pass on information they have learned from the engagement. An example would be an Infantryman who missed an armored vehicle with AT4 fires passing range and lead information to the next Soldier preparing to engage the same armored vehicle with an AT4.
e) Simultaneous Fire: Units employ simultaneous fire, also referred to as volley fire, to mass the effects of their fires rapidly or to gain immediate fire superiority. For example, a unit may initiate a support-by-fire operation with simultaneous fire, then change to alternating or sequential fire to maintain suppression. Simultaneous fire is also employed to negate the low probability of hit and kill of certain antiarmor weapons. As an example, an Infantry squad may employ volley fire with its AT4s to ensure rapid destruction of a BMP that is engaging a friendly position.
f) Observed Fire: Observed fire is normally used when the company is in concealed defensive positions with extended engagement ranges. It can be employed between elements of the company, such as an Infantry platoon observing while the machine gun section fires; or it can be employed between machine guns in the section. The company commander or platoon leader directs one element to engage. The remaining elements or vehicles observe fires and prepare to engage on order in case the engaging element consistently misses its targets, experiences a malfunction, or runs low on ammunition. Observed fire allows for mutual observation and assistance while protecting the location of the observing elements.
g) Time of Suppression: Time of suppression is the period, specified by the company commander, during which an enemy position or force is to be suppressed. Suppression time typically depends on the time it will take a supported element to maneuver. Normally, a unit suppresses an enemy position using the sustained rate of fire of its weapons. In planning for sustained suppression, leaders must consider several factors: the estimated time of suppression, the size of the area being suppressed, the type of enemy force to be suppressed, range to the target, rates of fire, and available ammunition quantities.
h) Reconnaissance by Fire: Reconnaissance by fire is the process of engaging possible enemy locations to elicit a tactical response such as return fire or movement. This response permits the company commander and his subordinate leaders to make accurate target acquisition and then to mass fires against the enemy element. Typically, the company commander directs a platoon to conduct the reconnaissance by fire. For example, he may direct an overwatching platoon to conduct the reconnaissance by fire against a probable enemy position before initiating movement by a bounding elements.

Question 36

FORMS OF MANEUVER (ADRP 3-90)

Answer 36

Envelopment
Flank Attack
Frontal Attack
Infiltration
Penetration
Turning Point

Question 37

Forms of Maneuver

Answer 37

1) Envelopment
2) Flank attack
3) frontal attack
4) infiltration
5) penetration
6) turning movement

Question 38

Tenets of Breaching Operations

Answer 38

1. Intelligence
2. Fundamentals
3. Organization
4. Mass
5. Synchonization

Question 39

Fundamentals of Breaching Operations

Answer 39

SOSRA
Suppress
Obscure
Secure
Reduce
Assault

Question 40

Elements of Combat Power/Warfighting functions

Answer 40

Leadership
Information

Mission Command
Movement and Maneuver
Fires
Protection
Sustainment
Intelligence

Question 41

Movement formations

Answer 41

Vee
Wedge
Line
File
Column
Echelon
Coil and Herringbone

Question 42

Movement Techniques

Answer 42

Traveling
Traveling Overwatch
Bounding Overwatch
Infiltration
Overwatch