FM 100-5 Operations - Survival Ebooks Military Manuals Survival ...

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMFM 100-5bat situations. Since the close fight usually placesfriendly forces at greatest risk, it is essential to choosecorrectly the time and place for key close operations.Moreover, commanders must concentrate forces onlywhen necessary for decisive effects, preferring to concentrateeffects instead, if that is possible. Nonetheless,in some circumstances it will be necessary to concentrateforces. Forces can be dispersed, concentratedto achieve decisive results, then dispersed again. Decidingbetween concentration of forces or massing ofeffects is a function of METT-T.Rear OperationsRear operations assist in providing freedom ofaction and continuity of operations, logistics, and battlecommand. Their primary purposes are to sustain thecurrent close and deep fights and to posture the forcefor future operations. At the operational level, rearoperations support current operations and posture theforce for the next phase of the major operation or campaign.At the tactical level, they enhance thecommander’s ability to influence the tempo of combat,helping him take advantage of any opportunitywithout delay. At either level, rear areas may not becontiguous with forward areas, complicating both protectionfor rear area forces and sustainment of forcesfighting close operations.Rear operations can be the targets of the enemy’sdeep attack. To preclude diverting assets needed forclose operations, commanders train and equip unitsinvolved in rear operations to protect themselvesagainst all but the most serious threats.Contingency plans can also commit combat forcesto respond to rear area threats. Protective actions inthe rear can be active and passive. Soldiers and leadersat all levels are alert to threats to rear areas. Theymust be psychologically prepared to deal with them.Commanders continually reevaluate the possibility ofserious threats to rear operations and devise measuresto meet them with minimum penalty to ongoing closeoperations.OFFENSE AND DEFENSE ATTHE TACTICALAND OPERATIONAL LEVELSCommanders set favorable terms for battle by synchronizingground, air, sea, space, and special operationscapabilities to strike the enemy simultaneouslythroughout his tactical and operational depths. Thetheater commander attacks the enemy at strategicdepths to set conditions for deeper operational maneuver.Commanders and units seek to be unpredictableto the enemy. They must be crafty and have a certainamount of guile and cunning in selecting how to layout the battlefield and where, when, and against whomto fight. They must also remember battle is two-sidedand the enemy influences the outcome.Successful reconnaissance normally precedes successfuloperations at all levels. Large-scale groundmaneuvers always require protection from enemyground and air forces and sometimes from naval forces.Joint force and component commanders continuouslysynchronize interdiction, electronic warfare, air defense,air and ground reconnaissance and security, logistics,and special operations to support the overallcampaign and its integral ground operations, especiallyat decisive junctures. Planning is not fighting, andkey to success are the continuous adjustments duringthe conduct of operations. Commanders achieve theinitiative by making adjustments and having optionswhen the enemy has none.Ground operations require the coordinated movementand the dynamic, agile concentration of units upto corps and numbered armies to gain positional advantageover the enemy. Intelligence, movement control,command on the move, air defense, deception,and logistics must all function harmoniously to supportoperational movements. Commanders protect keyforces and facilities—some of them deep in the reararea—during this movement.Major tactical events can lead to fast-breaking developments.Coordination of actions that support themovement of large forces is extremely important followingmajor operations and battles. Commanders oflarge units will attempt to exploit tactical gains or defendand reorganize units. Air defense, deception,ground and air transportation, reconnaissance and security,logistics, and movement control will be the chiefconcerns as these movements occur.Original plans may require modification as the enemysituation changes or becomes clear. Tactical formations,therefore, must be able to modify their directionof movement or orientation of defenses duringoperations. The mental agility of the commander, organizationalagility of his staff, and physical agility ofhis units are vital to success. Staffs continually workto generate workable options for the6-15