FM 3-34.22 - Army Electronic Publications & Forms - U.S. Army

Chapter 6
Audacity
6-17. Audacity is a simple plan of action that is boldly executed. The audacious commander is quick,
decisive, and willing to take prudent risks. Engineers operating in a decentralized role, who comprehend
the commander’s intent, can enable the commander to see the OE and anticipate future operations. With
enhanced SU, commanders can be more audacious.
Tempo
6-18. Tempo is the rate of military action. Controlling or altering this rate is a necessary means of retaining
the initiative. An enhanced COP and extended operational reach allow the friendly unit to maintain a faster
tempo than the enemy. Engineer speed and flexibility are crucial to the attack. Rapid mobility operations
by engineers keep the maneuver force tempo. The ability to quickly reduce, mark, and guide the supported
maneuver unit through an obstacle is the engineer’s hallmark. The imperative of maintaining mobility and
momentum is highlighted as forces focus on achieving the fundamentals of avoid, neutralize, and protect.
TYPES
6-19. The four types of offensive operations are—
� Movement to contact (MTC). Forces conduct an MTC to develop the situation and establish or
regain contact with the enemy. On contact, the commander has five options: attack, defend,
bypass, delay, or withdraw. MTCs include search and attack and cordon and search operations.
(See FM 3-06.20 for more information on cordon and search operations.)
� Attack. An attack destroys or defeats enemy forces; seizes and secures terrain, or both. Attacks
incorporate coordinated movement supported by direct and indirect fires. They may be decisive
or shaping operations. Attacks may be hasty or deliberate, depending on the time available for
planning and preparation. Commanders execute hasty attacks when the situation calls for
immediate action with available forces and minimal preparation. They conduct deliberate attacks
when there is time to develop plans and coordinate preparations along with suitable intelligence.
� Exploitation. Exploitation continues a successful attack to the point where enemy forces have
no alternatives but surrender or flight. Commanders of exploiting forces receive the greatest
possible latitude to accomplish their missions. They act with great aggressiveness, initiative, and
boldness.
� Pursuit. Pursuits are offensive operations that follow successful attacks or exploitations. They
occur when the enemy fails to organize a defense and attempts to disengage. If it becomes
apparent that enemy resistance has broken down entirely and the enemy is fleeing, a force can
transition to a pursuit from any offensive operation. Pursuits require rapid movement and
decentralized control.
Note. See FM 3-90, FM 3-90.5, and FM 3-90.6 for more information.
Movement to Contact
6-20. Forces executing MTC seek to make contact with the smallest friendly force possible, leveraging the
use of electronic and unmanned means when possible. A unit conducting an MTC normally organizes into
a security force, advance guard, main body, flank guard, and rear guard. The priority for combat
engineering support is typically mobility, although it may rapidly shift to countermobility in anticipation of
an enemy attack. Figure 6-1 shows engineer support of an MTC. Considerations for engineers are based on
mission variables. The task organization of engineers for an MTC must balance task-organizing mobility
capabilities with the lead element to optimize response time and tempo without increasing the risk to the
mobility of the main body or limiting the ability to mass breaching assets against complex obstacles. Time
and distance factors (based on the terrain) for employing engineer assets and the potentially extreme
challenges of task-organizing on the move and linking up engineers with maneuver units that may be in
contact are significant considerations used in determining the ultimate task organization and positioning of
combat engineer assets within maneuver formations. (See FM 3-90, FM 3-90.5, and FM 3-90.6 for more
information.)
6-4 FM 3-34.22 11 February 2009