1. Squad Tactics Offensive Operations
Definition
Offensive operations aim at destroying or defeating the enemy in order to impose the will of the Army on the enemy and achieve decisive victory. Offensive operations are used to deprive the enemy of resources, seize terrain, deceive or divert the enemy, develop intelligence or hold an enemy in position.

2. Characteristics of the Offense
Surprise
Concentration
Tempo
Audacity

3. Types of Offensive Operations
Movement to Contact
Attack
Exploitation
Pursuit

4. Movement to Contact (MTC)
An operation to develop the situation and establish or regain contact with the enemy
Used when the tactical situation is vague or not specific enough to conduct an attack, or when the enemy has broken contact
A properly planned and executed MTC will allow friendly forces freedom of action
Normally conducted at battalion or brigade level
Smallest element conducting MTC is company
Squads and platoons conduct MTC as part of a larger force (company and above MTC)

5. MTC: Fundamentals Focus all efforts on finding the enemy
Make initial contact with smallest element possible
Secure the main body from becoming decisively engaged by the enemy
Task organize and select movement formations that allow rapid deployment and attack
Keep forces within supporting distances
Maintain contact with enemy

6. Movement to Contact Techniques
Approach March
Search and Attack

7. Approach March: Planning Considerations
METT-TC
On order or follow on missions for subordinate units
Decision Points
When do I commit main body
Will reinforcing the advance guard destroy the enemy or must I maneuver the main body to attack the enemy?
When and how do I commit the reserve?
How do I use the main body or reserve if my flanks are attacked?
Balance speed and ability to maintain mutual support with elements
Soldiers load impacts stealth and mobility
Control measures and coordination with adjacent units

8. MTC: Common Maneuver Elements
Advance Guard
Sometimes called Forward Security Element (FSE)
Main Body
Security
Flank and Rear (Screen or Guard)

9. Advance Guard
“I ordered the advance guard (one squad) to hold the farmhouse for an additional five minutes, and then retire…I quickly ordered a platoon…to open fire on the area to the left and the advance guard began to drop back under this fire protection.”
- Field Marshal Erwin Rommel
In his book, Infantry Attacks.

10. MTC: Advance Guard
Moves forward of and within supporting range of Main Body’s weapon systems
Protects Main Body from surprise enemy contact
Ensures uninterrupted movement of Main Body by reducing obstacles, create passage lanes, or identifies bypass routes
Fixes the enemy to allow Main Body to develop the situation
Determines and reports enemy composition, disposition, strength, flanks and gaps
Protects Main Body while Main Body is deploying

11. MTC: Main Body
The primary mission of the Main Body is to maneuver to destroy the enemy
The commander designates tasks or missions to each unit in the main body
Main effort to destroy the enemy
Follow and support missions
Reserve

12. MTC: Flank and Rear Security
Provided by the maneuver unit traveling on a flank or to the rear of the Main Body
The trail company traveling in battalion column acts as the battalion’s rear guard
The battalion traveling on the left of a brigade movement will use their battalion scouts to screen the left flank
Can be dismounted, mounted or aviation units
Used to delay an enemy force by buying time for the Main Body to react

13. MTC: Search and Attack
A technique primarily conducted by light forces and supported by heavy forces
Executed at the battalion level
Uses platoon or squad-size elements
Recon element finds the enemy
Fixing force develops the situation
Finishing force conducts hasty or deliberate attack to destroy the enemy

14. MTC: Purposes of Search and Attack
Destroy the enemy
Deny unhindered use of friendly area by the enemy
Protect a larger force by preventing the enemy from massing, disrupting or destroying friendly forces
Collect information on the enemy to confirm enemy courses of actions predicted during the intelligence preparation of the battlefield (IPB) process

15. Search and Attack: Planning Considerations
METT-TC
Decentralized operations at squad and platoon level
Mutual support to respond to other units in contact
Length of operation may require unit rotation
Soldiers load impacts stealth and mobility
Resupply and Medevac
Positioning of key leaders and personnel
Employment of key weapons
Requirement and location of patrol bases
How to enter the zone of operation
Details of unit linkup

16. Offense: Attack
An operation that destroys or defeats the enemy, secures terrain, or both
Ambush
Spoiling Attack
Counterattack
Raid
Feint
Demonstration

17. Raid
Swift entry into hostile territory to secure information, confuse the enemy, or destroy installations
Ends with a planned withdrawal
Also used to rescue and recover individuals/equipment in danger of capture

18. Offense: Exploitation
Offensive operation that rapidly follows a successful attack
Necessary due to the fact that total annihilation of the enemy on the objective are rare
Exploitation operations are designed to aggressively pursue the enemy in order to finish or disorganize the enemy in depth to prevent the enemy from occupying alternate defenses, consolidating and reorganizing or counterattacking to regain the initiative

19. Offense: Pursuit
An offensive operation to catch or cut off an enemy attempting to escape in order to destroy the enemy
Normally follows a successful exploitation operation
May also result in any successful offense or defense operation that causes the enemy to break down and flee the battlefield

20. Enemy Contact! Now What? Attack? Exploit? Pursuit? Defend? Retrograde?
Hasty or Deliberate?
Exploit?
Pursuit?
Defend?
Retrograde?
Delay?
Withdrawal?