Military Tactical Operations 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the military decision-making process (MDMP), which step immediately follows mission analysis?
- Course of action development (Correct answer)
- Course of action comparison
- Orders production
- Course of action approval
Correct answer: Course of action development
After completing mission analysis, commanders and staff develop multiple courses of action (COAs) for consideration.
Question 2: What tactical principle does 'mass' refer to in the principles of war?
- Using the heaviest available weapons
- Concentrating combat power at the decisive place and time (Correct answer)
- Maintaining large troop formations
- Firing maximum ammunition on a target
Correct answer: Concentrating combat power at the decisive place and time
Mass means concentrating the effects of combat power at the decisive place and time to achieve overwhelming force against the enemy.
Question 3: What does a tactical pause during an operation allow commanders to do?
- Resupply all units before continuing
- Reassess the situation, consolidate gains, and reorganize (Correct answer)
- Call for air support
- Rotate units to the rear
Correct answer: Reassess the situation, consolidate gains, and reorganize
A tactical pause allows commanders to consolidate gains, reorganize forces, and reassess the situation before continuing operations.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes 'envelopment' as a form of maneuver?
- A direct assault on the enemy's front
- Attacking an enemy flank or rear while fixing forces in front (Correct answer)
- Withdrawing to draw the enemy forward
- Encircling the enemy with all available forces
Correct answer: Attacking an enemy flank or rear while fixing forces in front
Envelopment attacks the enemy flank or rear while a fixing force prevents the enemy from repositioning to meet the attack.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a reconnaissance by fire?
- To accurately map enemy positions
- To deliberately fire on suspected enemy positions to provoke a reaction (Correct answer)
- To test weapons systems before an assault
- To establish range cards for defensive positions
Correct answer: To deliberately fire on suspected enemy positions to provoke a reaction
Reconnaissance by fire involves shooting at suspected enemy positions to provoke return fire, revealing the enemy's location and strength.
Question 6: In night operations, what technique allows soldiers to maintain unit cohesion without using visible light?
- Infrared chemlights and NOD-compatible marking (Correct answer)
- Increased radio communications
- Wider spacing between soldiers
- Using tracer rounds to mark direction
Correct answer: Infrared chemlights and NOD-compatible marking
Infrared chemlights and night observation device (NOD)-compatible markings allow units to maintain cohesion and identify friendly forces during night operations.
Question 7: What is 'fire superiority' and why is it critical in offensive operations?
- Having more weapons than the enemy
- Delivering fire that degrades the enemy's ability to return effective fire (Correct answer)
- Positioning snipers above enemy positions
- Using indirect fire to eliminate enemy leadership
Correct answer: Delivering fire that degrades the enemy's ability to return effective fire
Fire superiority means delivering such effective fire that the enemy cannot return accurate fire, which is essential before and during movement to contact.
Military Tactical Operations 3
In the military decision-making process (MDMP), which step immediately follows mission analysis?