MCDP 1-3 Tactics

Question 1

Define Tactics

Answer 1

Tactics is “the art and science of winning engagements and battles…” (Warfighting, 30). In war, tactics “…includes the use of firepower and maneuver, the integration of different arms, and the immediate exploitation of successes to defeat the enemy.” (Warfighting, 30) In addition to the application of firepower, tactics is also focused on the sustainment of forces during combat. (MCDP 1-3 Tactics, 3)

Question 2

What are the (9) Principles of War? Hint: MOOSEMUSS

Answer 2

Mass: The concept of “concentrating the effects of combat power at the decisive place and time to achieve decisive results.”
Objective: The concept of “direct[ing] every military operation toward a clearly defined, decisive, and attainable objective.”
Offensive: The concept that we, as a fighting force, are continuously focused on “seiz[ing], retain[ing], and exploit[ing] the initiative.”
Security: The concept of “never permit[ing] the enemy to acquire an unexpected advantage.”
Economy of Force: The concept of “allocat[ing] minimum essential combat power to secondary efforts.”
Maneuver: The concept that we seek to “place the enemy in a disadvantageous position through the flexible application of combat power.”
Unity of Command: Best exemplified by commander’s intent, “Unity of Command” is the concept that “for every objective, [we] ensure unity of effort under one responsible commander.”
Surprise: The concept that we seek to “strike the enemy at a time or place or in a manner for which he is unprepared.”
Simplicity: The concept that the preparation of “clear, uncomplicated plans and clear, concise orders
ensures thorough understanding”

Question 3

What are the (6) tactical tenents? Hint: AGB-ACE

Answer 3

Achieving a decision
* Understand the Situation
* Analytical Decision Making
* Intuitive Decision Making (Pattern Recognition)
* Acting Decisively
* Shaping the Operating Area
* Designating the Main Effort

Gaining an advantage
* Combined Arms
* Maneuver
* Exploiting the Environmnet
* Surprise

Being faster
* Speed
* Tempo (Simplicity, Decentralization, Experience and Communication, Positioning, Maintaining Speed Through Time)

Adapting
* Anticipation
* Improvisation
* Flexibility

Cooperating
* Centralized Control
* Decentralized Control
* Self-Discipline

Exploiting success and finishing
* Consolidation
* Exploitation
* Pursuit