MSL 202, Lesson 05: Offensive Operations at the Squad and Platoon

Offensive Operations at the

Squad and Platoon

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Revision Date: 30 November 2016
MSL 202, Lesson 05: Offensive Operations at the Squad and Platoon

Learning Objectives
 Explain the Purposes of Offensive Operations
 Analyze the Characteristics of the Offense
 Describe the Types of Offensive Tasks

Revision Date: 30 November 2016

MSL 202, Lesson 05: Offensive Operations at the Squad and Platoon

What is the Purpose of the Offense?

Offensive Operations are designed to:
 Defeat, Destroy, or Neutralize enemy forces
 Seize terrain, resources, and population centers
 Deprive the enemy resources
 Secure decisive terrain
 Deceive or divert the enemy
 Gain information
 Hold an enemy in position
 Disrupt the enemy’s attack
 Set the conditions for future operations

Revision Date: 30 November 2016

MSL 202, Lesson 05: Offensive Operations at the Squad and Platoon

What are the Characteristics of the

Offense?
 Surprise
 Concentration
 Audacity
 Tempo

Revision Date: 30 November 2016

MSL 202, Lesson 05: Offensive Operations at the Squad and Platoon

What are Offensive Tasks?

 Tasks conducted to defeat and destroy enemy
forces and seize terrain, resources, and
population centers.
 The four primary offensive tasks are:
 Movement to Contact
 Attack
 Exploitation
 Pursuit
-ADRP 3-90

Revision Date: 30 November 2016

MSL 202, Lesson 05: Offensive Operations at the Squad and Platoon

Practical Exercise
Based on the next video clip and the information
provided in this lesson, gather responses to the
following questions:
1. Identify the purpose of this operation (U.S. perspective)
2. Identify offensive task/tasks presented (U.S. perspective)
3. Identify offensive characteristics presented (by the U.S. forces)
4. Identify any subordinate forms of offense tasks that were
exhibited by either side

* Provide specifics from the video clip that support these observations

Revision Date: 30 November 2016

MSL 202, Lesson 05: Offensive Operations at the Squad and Platoon

Battle of Ia Drang Valley

Revision Date: 30 November 2016

MSL 202, Lesson 05: Offensive Operations at the Squad and Platoon

Closing
Review Learning Objectives:
 Explain the Purposes of Offensive Operations
 Analyze the Characteristics of the Offense
 Describe the Types of Offensive Tasks

Questions

Next Lesson: MSL202L06 Course of Action Statement and Sketch

Subsequent Lesson: MSL202L07 Stability Operations at the Squad and Platoon

CADET POST-CLASS ASSIGNMENT

 Read the MSL202L06 Course of Action Statement and Sketch SR.docx
 Turn-in the MSL202L05 Stability Operations at the Squad and Platoon
LA.docx before next class

Revision Date: 30 November 2016