Tactical Fundamentals

Question 1

Tactics is defined as

Answer 1

the art and science of winning engagements and battles”

Question 2

In war, tactics includes

Answer 2

the use of firepower and maneuver, the integration of different arms, and the immediate exploitation of successes to defeat the enemy as well as sustainment of forces during combat.

Question 3

The Marine Corps’ Warfighting philosophy of maneuver warfare is rooted in the nine Principles of War, which are described in detail in

Answer 3

in MCDP 1-0, Marine Corps Operations.

Question 4

The nine Principles of War are commonly referred to as

Answer 4

the acronym MOOSEMUSS

Question 5

Key to the successful execution of the concepts and methods we use to accomplish a particular objective are six tactical tenets:

Answer 5

Achieving a decision.
Gaining an advantage.
Being faster.
Adapting.
Cooperating.
Exploiting success and finishing

Question 6

What are two commonly delineated aspects of Tactics

Answer 6

Art of Tactics, the Science of Tactics

Question 7

Define The Art of Tactics

Answer 7

The art of tactics lies in how we creatively form and apply military force in a given situation. It involves the creation, positioning, and maneuver of combat power.

Question 8

Define The Science of Tactics

Answer 8

The science of tactics lies in the technical application of combat power. It includes mastering the techniques and procedures that contribute to the warfighting skills such as marksmanship, gunnery, land navigation, and close air support.

Question 9

The concept of concentrating the effects of combat power at the decisive place and time to achieve decisive results is known as

Answer 9

Mass

Question 10

The concept of directing every military operation toward a clearly defined, decisive, and attainable objective is known as

Answer 10

Objective

Question 11

The concept that we, as a fighting force, are continuously focused on seizing, retaining, and exploiting the initiative is known as

Answer 11

Offensive

Question 12

The concept of never permitting the enemy to acquire an unexpected advantage is known as

Answer 12

Security

Question 13

The concept of allocating minimum essential combat power to secondary efforts is known as

Answer 13

Ecoomy 9f Force

Question 14

The concept that we seek to place the enemy in a disadvantageous position through the flexible application of combat power is known as

Answer 14

Manuever

Question 15

The concept that for every objective, we ensure unity of effort under one responsible commander is known as

Answer 15

Unity of Command

Question 16

The concept that we seek to strike the enemy at a time or place or in a manner for which he is unprepared is known as

Answer 16

Surprise

Question 17

The concept that the preparation of clear uncomplicated plans; and clear concise orders, ensures thorough understanding and therefore ease of execution.

Answer 17

Simplicity

Question 18

A successful tactician that studies the situation to develop in his or her mind a clear picture of what is happening, how it is happening, and how it might further develop is known as

Answer 18

Understand the Situation

Question 19

the most comprehensive and accurate type of decision making which time available allows for a detailed review of the situation which subsequently leads to a decision and resulting action is called

Answer 19

Analytical decision making

Question 20

the ability to understand the significance and dynamics of a situation with limited information is know as

Answer 20

Pattern Recognition and/or Intuitive Decision Making

Question 21

The keys to Acting Decisively are

Answer 21

• Identifying enemy critical vulnerabilities, “gaps.”
• Shaping the operating area to our advantage.
• Utilizing strict Economy of Force in secondary efforts.
• Maintaining an Offensive mindset by weighting and applying our main effort with Mass, Surprise, and Security against the enemy’s weakness.

Question 22

Shaping the battlefield includes

Answer 22

Both lethal and non-lethal activities such as:
• Planning fires to fix the enemy.
• Using an axis of advance to facilitate movement.
• Designating Objectives to focus combat power.
• Using deceptive measures to reinforce enemy expectations.

Question 23

The unit assigned the responsibility for accomplishing the mission; it is the focal point on which we Mass the combat power of the force is known as the

Answer 23

Main Effort (designating a main effort as one of the most critical elements of our success)

Question 24

The most common means of gaining an advantage lies in

Answer 24

The use of combined arms. . It is based on the idea of presenting the enemy not merely with a problem, but with a dilemma — a no win situation.

Question 25

Through Time and Spatial Maneuver

Answer 25

We maneuver in time by increasing relative speed and operating at a faster tempo than the enemy. In effect, we out cycle the enemy, making him aware too late to respond.

Question 26

Through Psychological and Technological Maneuver

Answer 26

We can gain an advantage by exploiting our environment (i.e, moving @ night & NVG caps). We can use terrain to our advantage to maneuver and envelop the enemy forces.

Question 27

When operating against an enemy, what is ultimately defined by your unit’s actions; how fast leadership can orient on a “gap,” formulate a plan, and disseminate a plan for action?

Answer 27

Speed

Question 28

Employing speed in relation to the timing of events is called

Answer 28

Tempo

Question 29

the five things we can do to increase our speed and tempo are:

Answer 29

• Simplicity
• Decentralization afforded by Unity of Command
• Experience and Communication
• Positioning leaders (yourself) at points of friction
• Maneuver in Time

Question 30

The two elements that make up experience are:

Answer 30

• Implicit communication

* Lateral communication

Question 31

The mutual understandings that require little or no actual talking or writing is called

Answer 31

Implicit Communication

Question 32

Having enough situation awareness (METT-TC) to understand a situation in advance and take preparatory action is known as

Answer 32

Anticipation

Question 33

Adapting to the situation at the spur of the moment, without time for preparation, and often based on intuition with less situational awareness is known as

Answer 33

Improvisation

Question 34

Another important tool for the tactical adaptation is

Answer 34

the use of immediate action drills and SOPs

Question 35

The union of self discipline and initiative in the pursuit of a common goal, or Objective is known as

Answer 35

Cooperation

Question 36

Centralized control is

Answer 36

tends to be in one direction and works from the top down & decreases speed/tempo

Question 37

Subordinates that work together laterally and from the bottom up to accomplish tasks that fulfill the commander’s intent, requiring Unity of Command is known as

Answer 37

Decentralized Control

Question 38

The common bond that ensures cooperation between Marines is

Answer 38

Self-Discipline

Question 39

The re-organization of our forces after seizing an objective that we intend to hold against the enemy is known as

Answer 39

Consolidation

Question 40

an offensive tactic that is designed to disorganize the enemy in depth which disrupts the entire enemy system by attacking important activities and functions is known as

Answer 40

Exploitation

Question 41

An offensive tactic designed to catch or cut off a hostile force, which has lost cohesion and is attempting to escape, in order to destroy it is known as

Answer 41

Pursuit

Question 42

The phase typically that begins with the receipt of a warning order or mission and will consist of the six troop leading steps (BAMCIS) is

Answer 42

Preparation Phase

Question 43

The phase typically that begins with the receipt of a warning order or mission and will consist of the six troop leading steps (BAMCIS) is

Answer 43

Preparation Phase