While nearly every leader prefers to maintain an offensive mindset, defensive operations serve a purpose and are listed as a Mission Essential Task for nearly every formation in our Army. While applications vary, defensive operations often allow our Army to retain decisive or key terrain, attrite or fix an enemy force, or counter an enemy action. Each rotation at the National Training Center, at some point, stresses a unit’s ability to conduct a defense.
Whether woven into the rotational design by senior trainers purposefully, executed due to a unit’s need to consolidate gains over extended distances, or conducted in reaction to an enemy action, at some point, every unit executes a defensive oriented task at the National Training Center.
Most often, we imagine defensive operations executed as grand Brigade level operations designed to defeat a hoard of attacking enemy forces. In reality, units most often execute smaller echelon defensive operations as they transition from an attack, conduct consolidation and reorganization activities, and prepare for follow on operations. In fact, most National Training Center rotations will see only 1-2 Brigade level defensive oriented missions over the course of 14 day rotation as compared to numerous Battalion and smaller defensive operations designed to retain key terrain, allow preparation for follow on operations, or defeat an enemy counterattack.
Additionally, as we continue to train our forces to conduct sustained combat operations over extended distances, many lower echelon forces operating in both the close area and consolidation area are consistently reminded they need to be able to protect themselves. Given the proliferation of technology among our enemies and their proxy forces, the ability of every formation to defend their position represents an essential task for our Brigade Support Battalion elements, Brigade Engineer Battalion elements, field artillery battalions, command posts, as well as combat trains. In short, our ability to defend our position at lower echelons allows us to conduct both current and follow on operations effectively.
As we always coach here at the NTC, if you’re not attacking, you’re defending…and you should continue to improve your position. Hopefully, this edition assists your formation in developing effective TTPs to conduct defensive operations.
As always, we want to thank you for all that you do for our Army. If we can do anything to assist you moving forward, please do not hesitate to ask.
Below are links to the individual observations and best practices. You can also find the entire PDF HERE.
- Cavalry Defensive Operations Against a Near-Peer Threat
- Armor and Infantry in the Defense Against a Near-Peer Threat
- Battalion Engagement Area Development Teach
- Defensive Operations for the Field Artillery Battalion
- Lift Aviation in the Defense and Counterattack
- Engineer Success in the Defense
Complete archive of The Company Leader Posts