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Tactics MCDP 1-3

Terms in this set (38)

Define Tactics
the art and science of winning engagements and battles.
What is the art of tactics
The creation, positioning and maneuver of combat power.
What is the science of tactics
lies in the technical application of combat power--techniques such as marksmanship and navigation.
What is the tactical environment
It's dynamic, chaotic and unpredictable.
What are the tenants of Tactics
Achieving a Decision
Gaining the Advantage
Being Faster
Adapting
Cooperating
Exploiting Success and Finishing
What is a decisive decision
For a battle to be decisive, it must lead directly to a larger success in the war as a whole. Tactical victories should help meet operation and strategic goals.
What is military judgement
a learned skill that is gained through acquired wisdom and experience. Combined with SA, military judgment allows us to see patterns, identify vulnerabilities and concentrate combat power.
What is acting decisively
Attacking CV, Shaping the Operating Area, using our ME, and using boldness and ruthlessness.
How to use Combined Arms to gain advantage
Present EN with dilemma. Combine organic & supporting fires with maneuver so if EN counters one, he is vulnerable to another
What are the 4 types of dimensions in maneuver
Spatial
Psychological
Technological
How do we exploit the environment
Terrain - limits movement, visibility or fires. How it effects the EN
Weather - learning how to operate in difficult conditions gives great advantage
Periods of Darkness or Reduced Visibility
How do we achieve surprise
Through deception, ambiguity, and stealth.
What is the ambush mentality
-Surprise the EN
-Draw the EN into a trap
-Make the ambush invisible - requires stealth & deception
-Shock the EN - Wait for the right moment to bring everything
-Focus on EN - Destroy the EN, do not simply hold terrain
Summarize Gaining the Advantage
Use maneuver and surprise whenever possible. Trapping the EN at night on poor terrain and in bad weather with complementary forces and combined arms. Fighting asymmetrically to exploit the enemy's greatest weakness. Ambushing him to paralyze his forces.
What constitutes Being Faster
- Speed in Combat
- Speed and Time
- Relative Speed
- Speed and Change
- Becoming Faster
What is speed in Combat
Speed circumvents the enemy's ability to react quickly. Speed is moving fast. Speed causes fear, indecision, and helplessness.
How does Timing relate to being faster
Tempo is created using speed and time. It is impossible to operate at peak tempo all the time. We must rest and resupply. It is key to know when to go full speed and when to rest. Timing is knowing when to act and when not to act.
Define Relative Speed in Being Faster
To be faster, we can either increase our pace or slow the EN down. Speed is only meaningful if we are faster than the EN.
How can we continue speed in Being Faster
Using combined arms can maintain speed. When one is down the other can continue pressure. Speed of logistics is critical. Prior planning and quick deliveries and repairs can maintain momentum.
Describe the OODA Loop
-Observe - ourselves, EN, Environment, & anticipate EN's move
-Orient - Use SA to plan
-Decide - decision becomes our plan and is communicated through orders
-Act - Execute. Since this action has changed the situation, the cycle begins anew
How do we become faster
- Simplicity
- Speed through decentralization (Missions tactics and Commander's Intent)
- Experience - reduces confusion, comes from combat, TDGs, exercises and training
- Implicit Communications
- Lateral Communications
What constitutes Adapting
- Anticipation
- Improvisation
- Flexible Plans
- Decentralization
What is the first step to Adapting
Anticipation - Developing TTPs for future use.
How does Improvisation enhance Adapting
Adjusting to the SIT at the spur of the moment without any preparation is improvising. Improvising is critical to increasing speed.
How does Flexible Plans help in Adapting
Flexible plans are easily changed. Flexible plans are simple in order to deal with the fluid battlefield. -Note-Branches and Sequels are mentioned with flexible plans.
How can decentralization help in Adapting
Based on our SA and Cmdr's Intent adapting on our own authority will increase our speed.
What constitutes Cooperating
- Control in Combat
- Cooperating
- Discipline
Define Cooperation as it relates to Tactics
Cooperation is the union of self-discipline and initiative in pursuit of a common goal. It is a component of control.
Centralized v. Decentralized Control
Centralized - Top down/one thinks for all
Decentralized - Bottom up
How coordination helps fulfill Cmdr intent
Subordinates coordinate laterally in order to fulfill the commander's intent. Cooperation demands that we help those around us meet the common goal,
Imposed discipline v. Self-discipline
External and ensures compliance with guidance from higher. Can Stifle initiative and make it impossible for units to comm laterally.
Self-Discipline is the internal force that obligates us to do the right thing. It means accepting responsibility.
What the conclusion on Cooperating
Modern tactics depends on cooperation, not control. Cooperation depends on self-discipline. We must allow Self-discipline and initiative to flourish.
What constitutes Exploiting Success and Finishing
- Building on Advantage
- Consolidation, Exploitation, and Pursuit
- Finishing the EN
- Use of the Reserve in Combat
How can we build on the advantage
Exploit it ruthlessly and repeatedly. Must think ahead and look for new opportunities.
Define Consolidation, Exploitation, Pursuit
Consolidation - Exploits success. Do not give up the initiative
Exploitation - offensive tech to defeat EN in depth/destroy entire system
Pursuit-Catch or cut-off EN in retreat to achieve final destruction
How do we use the Reserve in Combat
Used to exploit success. Used to maintain initiative.
What is the conclusion on exploiting and finishing the EN
There're a number of ways to exploit tactical opportunity, but the objective is to pressure the enemy until we have the opportunity to boldly and ruthlessly finish him and achieve a decisive victory.
How do we make it all happen (Success in Tactics)
-Doctrine
-Education-Creative ability, mil judgement, moral courage
-Training-
-Training and Education Methods / Professional Readying / Historical Study / Tactical EXs / Wargamming / Terrain Walks / Competition
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