FM-3-81 Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Download
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Chapter 1 1-10 FM 3-81 09 November 2021 Figure 1-5. Elements of decisive action OFFENSE 1-44. An offensive operation is an operation to defeat or destroy enemy forces and gain control of terrain, resources, and population centers (ADP 3-0). Seizing, retaining, and exploiting the initiative to gain physical advantages and achieve definitive results is the essence of the offense. Offensive operations seek to throw enemy forces off balance, overwhelm their capabilities, disrupt their defenses, and ensure their defeat or destruction by maneuver. An offense ends when the force achieves the purpose of the operation, reaches a limit of advancement, or approaches culmination. ARFOR conclude an offensive operation by consolidating gains through security and stability tasks, resuming the attack, shifting over to the defense, or preparing for future operations. ARFOR conduct four types of offensive operations—movement to contact, attack, exploitation, and pursuit. See ADP 3-90 for additional information on the conduct of offensive tasks. 1-45. The MEB ability to conduct offensive operations is limited. During offensive operations, the focus of the MEB is typically on the protection and security of the support area, to include actions required to secure and protect lines of communication (see appendix C). The MEB may also conduct or provide support to a movement corridor in support of troop movement and logistics preparations in support of offensive operations in the close area or rear area. The MEB is not structured to conduct offensive tasks as a brigade but it may plan, conduct, and provide command and control for offensive tasks performed by assigned maneuver units and a TCF as part of security for the support area. 1-46. The MEB can form task forces or company teams to support the offensive operations of its supported headquarters. These organizations may be attached or placed OPCON to BCTs or employed by the MEB to complement or reinforce maneuver forces across the AO of higher headquarters for a specific or select mission or tasks that support the main effort. However, specific or select missions does not imply long-term task organization. If the MEB becomes a force provider for an enduring period of time, it could become ineffective in its ability to conduct support area operations. DEFENSE 1-47. A defensive operation is an operation to defeat an enemy attack, gain time, economize forces, and develop conditions favorable for offensive or stability operations (ADP 3-0). The defense alone normally cannot achieve a decision. However, it can create conditions for a counteroffensive operation that allows ARFOR to regain the initiative. Defensive tasks can establish a shield behind which stability tasks can progress. Defensive tasks counter enemy offensive tasks. They defeat attacks, destroying as much of the attacking enemy as possible. They preserve control over land, resources, and populations. Defensive tasks