ATP-5-0-2-1 Staff Reference Guide Volume 1 Download
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07 December 2020 ATP 5-0.2-1 155 Appendix A Offensive Tactics, Techniques, Procedures, and Considerations This appendix provides an introduction to offensive operations and describes common offensive tactics, techniques, procedures, and considerations for executing an attack, a gap crossing, a movement to contact, an air assault, and a breakout from encirclement. INTRODUCTION TO OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS A-1. This appendix is derived from ADP 3-90, FM 3-90-1, and FM 3-96. A-2. An offensive operation is an operation to defeat or destroy enemy forces and gain control of terrain, resources, and population centers (ADP 3-0). The purposes of offensive operations are to defeat, destroy, or neutralize enemy forces. A commander may also conduct offensive actions to— Secure decisive terrain. Deprive the enemy of resources. Gain information. Deceive and divert an enemy force. Fix an enemy force in position. Disrupt an enemy force’s attack. Set the conditions for future successful operations. The offense supports friendly operations in the air, maritime, space, and cyberspace domains, and in the information environment. These operations destroy, dislocate, disintegrate, or isolate an enemy force. A-3. Success in offensive operations depends on the proper application of combat power within the fundamental characteristics of the offense: audacity, concentration, surprise, and tempo. Audacity is a willingness to take bold risks. Concentration is massing the effects of combat power in time and space at the decisive point to achieve a single purpose. Surprise is attacking the enemy at a time or place the enemy does not expect or in a manner that the enemy is unprepared for. Tempo is the relative speed and rhythm of military operations over time with respect to the enemy (ADP 3-0). A-4. The commander seizes, retains, and exploits the initiative when conducting offensive actions. Specific operations may orient on a specific enemy force or terrain feature as a means of affecting the enemy. Even when conducting primarily defensive actions, wresting the initiative from the enemy requires offensive action. A-5. There are four types of offensive operations: Movement to contact. A type of offensive operation designed to develop the situation and to establish or regain contact (ADP 3-90). Attack. A type of offensive operation that destroys or defeats enemy forces, seizes and secures terrain, or both (ADP 3-90). Exploitation. A type of offensive operation that usually follows a successful attack and is designed to disorganize the enemy in depth (ADP 3-90).