Tactical Fundamentals Flashcards
Tactics is defined as
the art and science of winning engagements and battles”
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 as well as sustainment of forces during combat.
The Marine Corps’ Warfighting philosophy of maneuver warfare is rooted in the nine Principles of War, which are described in detail in
in MCDP 1-0, Marine Corps Operations.
The nine Principles of War are commonly referred to as
the acronym MOOSEMUSS
Key to the successful execution of the concepts and methods we use to accomplish a particular objective are six tactical tenets:
Achieving a decision. Gaining an advantage. Being faster. Adapting. Cooperating. Exploiting success and finishing
What are two commonly delineated aspects of Tactics
Art of Tactics, the Science of Tactics
Define The Art of Tactics
The art of tactics lies in how we creatively form and apply military force in a given situation. It involves the creation, positioning, and maneuver of combat power.
Define The Science of Tactics
The science of tactics lies in the technical application of combat power. It includes mastering the techniques and procedures that contribute to the warfighting skills such as marksmanship, gunnery, land navigation, and close air support.
The concept of concentrating the effects of combat power at the decisive place and time to achieve decisive results is known as
Mass
The concept of directing every military operation toward a clearly defined, decisive, and attainable objective is known as
Objective
The concept that we, as a fighting force, are continuously focused on seizing, retaining, and exploiting the initiative is known as
Offensive
The concept of never permitting the enemy to acquire an unexpected advantage is known as
Security
The concept of allocating minimum essential combat power to secondary efforts is known as
Ecoomy 9f Force
The concept that we seek to place the enemy in a disadvantageous position through the flexible application of combat power is known as
Manuever
The concept that for every objective, we ensure unity of effort under one responsible commander is known as
Unity of Command
The concept that we seek to strike the enemy at a time or place or in a manner for which he is unprepared is known as
Surprise
The concept that the preparation of clear uncomplicated plans; and clear concise orders, ensures thorough understanding and therefore ease of execution.
Simplicity
A successful tactician that studies the situation to develop in his or her mind a clear picture of what is happening, how it is happening, and how it might further develop is known as
Understand the Situation
the most comprehensive and accurate type of decision making which time available allows for a detailed review of the situation which subsequently leads to a decision and resulting action is called
Analytical decision making
the ability to understand the significance and dynamics of a situation with limited information is know as
Pattern Recognition and/or Intuitive Decision Making
The keys to Acting Decisively are
- Identifying enemy critical vulnerabilities, “gaps.”
- Shaping the operating area to our advantage.
- Utilizing strict Economy of Force in secondary efforts.
- Maintaining an Offensive mindset by weighting and applying our main effort with Mass, Surprise, and Security against the enemy’s weakness.
Shaping the battlefield includes
Both lethal and non-lethal activities such as:
• Planning fires to fix the enemy.
• Using an axis of advance to facilitate movement.
• Designating Objectives to focus combat power.
• Using deceptive measures to reinforce enemy expectations.
The unit assigned the responsibility for accomplishing the mission; it is the focal point on which we Mass the combat power of the force is known as the
Main Effort (designating a main effort as one of the most critical elements of our success)
The most common means of gaining an advantage lies in
The use of combined arms. . It is based on the idea of presenting the enemy not merely with a problem, but with a dilemma — a no win situation.
Through Time and Spatial Maneuver
We maneuver in time by increasing relative speed and operating at a faster tempo than the enemy. In effect, we out cycle the enemy, making him aware too late to respond.
Through Psychological and Technological Maneuver
We can gain an advantage by exploiting our environment (i.e, moving @ night & NVG caps). We can use terrain to our advantage to maneuver and envelop the enemy forces.
When operating against an enemy, what is ultimately defined by your unit’s actions; how fast leadership can orient on a “gap,” formulate a plan, and disseminate a plan for action?
Speed
Employing speed in relation to the timing of events is called
Tempo
the five things we can do to increase our speed and tempo are:
- Simplicity
- Decentralization afforded by Unity of Command
- Experience and Communication
- Positioning leaders (yourself) at points of friction
- Maneuver in Time
The two elements that make up experience are:
- Implicit communication
* Lateral communication
The mutual understandings that require little or no actual talking or writing is called
Implicit Communication
Having enough situation awareness (METT-TC) to understand a situation in advance and take preparatory action is known as
Anticipation
Adapting to the situation at the spur of the moment, without time for preparation, and often based on intuition with less situational awareness is known as
Improvisation
Another important tool for the tactical adaptation is
the use of immediate action drills and SOPs
The union of self discipline and initiative in the pursuit of a common goal, or Objective is known as
Cooperation
Centralized control is
tends to be in one direction and works from the top down & decreases speed/tempo
Subordinates that work together laterally and from the bottom up to accomplish tasks that fulfill the commander’s intent, requiring Unity of Command is known as
Decentralized Control
The common bond that ensures cooperation between Marines is
Self-Discipline
The re-organization of our forces after seizing an objective that we intend to hold against the enemy is known as
Consolidation
an offensive tactic that is designed to disorganize the enemy in depth which disrupts the entire enemy system by attacking important activities and functions is known as
Exploitation
An offensive tactic designed to catch or cut off a hostile force, which has lost cohesion and is attempting to escape, in order to destroy it is known as
Pursuit
The phase typically that begins with the receipt of a warning order or mission and will consist of the six troop leading steps (BAMCIS) is
Preparation Phase
The phase typically that begins with the receipt of a warning order or mission and will consist of the six troop leading steps (BAMCIS) is
Preparation Phase
