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TBS PHASE 3 — TACTICAL LEADERSHIP &
OPERATIONS ASSESSMENT EXAM 2026 ALL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS|ALREADY A GRADED | NEW!!
1. The primary responsibility of a platoon leader during a mounted convoy
through an area of potential enemy activity is to:
A. Micromanage vehicle drivers’ individual actions.
B. Maintain mission command, ensure force protection, and make
timely decisions to mitigate risk.
C. Delay all movement until HQ provides every detail.
D. Remove all radios to prevent interception.
In convoy operations, the leader retains overall responsibility for
command and protection while balancing mission accomplishment and
risk mitigation.
2. The principle of mission command emphasizes:
A. Detailed top-down control at all times.
B. Decentralized execution based on intent and disciplined initiative.
C. Leaders making no decisions below battalion level.
D. Stopping initiative to await written orders.
Mission command empowers subordinates to act within commander’s
intent to maintain tempo and adaptability.
3. In the military decision-making process (MDMP), the COA (course of
action) development should be:
A. Hasty and unstructured.
B. Feasible, acceptable, distinguishable, and complete.
C. Only based on historical precedent.
D. Left to junior NCOs exclusively.
COAs must meet criteria that enable selection and execution consistent
with the mission and available resources.
4. During a patrol, an ambush occurs. The first immediate action of the unit is
to:
A. Withdraw immediately without returning fire.
B. Seek cover, return effective fire (as required), and report situation to
higher headquarters.
C. Exercise public relations with local civilians.
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D. Retrieve fallen equipment before addressing the threat.
Immediate actions focus on protecting personnel, neutralizing the threat if
possible, and communicating the situation.
5. The Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) requires commanders to:
A. Ignore civilian property if tactically convenient.
B. Distinguish between combatants and noncombatants and take
precautions to minimize civilian harm.
C. Use any means to achieve tactical surprise.
D. Prosecute prisoners without due process.
LOAC principles of distinction and proportionality govern lawful conduct
during operations.
6. When conducting a tactical risk assessment, what is the correct sequence?
A. Mitigate → Identify → Assess → Accept
B. Identify hazards → Assess risks → Develop controls → Implement
and supervise
C. Assess → Identify → Reject all risk → Execute
D. Implement controls first, then identify hazards
Risk management is a systematic process beginning with identification
and moving through assessment and control.
7. Which form of communication is most secure for transmitting mission-
critical intent in a degraded environment?
A. Open social media posts
B. Pre-arranged brevity codes and authenticated radio nets
C. Civilian cell phones without encryption
D. Broadcasting on public radio channels
Authenticated tactical communications and prearranged brevity reduce
confusion and improve security when systems are degraded.
8. A squad reports a casualty with a sucking chest wound during combat. The
immediate first step is to:
A. Evacuate without addressing the wound.
B. Seal the wound with an occlusive dressing and manage
airway/breathing per TCCC.
C. Wait for medical personnel only.
D. Remove all gear from the casualty’s chest.
Prehospital trauma care prioritizes airway and control of life-threatening
bleeding; occlusive dressings manage sucking chest wounds.
9. The principle of “redundancy” in communications planning means:
A. Use only one reliable system to avoid complexity.
B. Provide alternate means (radio, messenger, signal) to ensure
command and control continuity.
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C. Repeat the same message endlessly over one channel.
D. Avoid backups to save weight.
Redundancy ensures the commander’s intent and orders can be
transmitted even if primary systems fail.
10.When planning an attack, the commander’s intent should include:
A. Detailed step-by-step actions for every subordinate.
B. Purpose, key tasks, and desired end state to guide subordinate
initiative.
C. Only the time of attack.
D. A list of prohibited actions only.
Clear intent gives subordinate leaders the freedom to adapt while aligning
their actions with mission objectives.
11.Which action best demonstrates ethical leadership?
A. Prioritizing mission over welfare at all costs.
B. Holding subordinates accountable while caring for their welfare and
setting the example.
C. Concealing mistakes to protect the unit’s reputation.
D. Delegating integrity decisions to subordinates only.
Ethical leadership balances mission accomplishment with respect and
accountability towards people.
12.During an area reconnaissance, the best method to reduce detection is to:
A. Move in a single file with lights on.
B. Use terrain, cover, and noise discipline; avoid predictable routes and
times.
C. Broadcast movement on radio for safety.
D. Walk in open areas for speed.
Concealment, camouflage, and noise discipline reduce signature and
detection by adversaries.
13.The rule of proportionality in the use of force requires commanders to:
A. Use any force available for tactical advantage.
B. Ensure expected civilian harm is not excessive in relation to
anticipated military advantage.
C. Never engage even when threatened.
D. Always prioritize property over lives.
Proportionality is a legal and ethical test to balance military necessity with
humanitarian considerations.
14.When a subordinate disobeys a lawful order during combat, the leader
should:
A. Immediately court-martial them on site.
B. Correct the behavior, assess causes, and administer appropriate
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corrective measures according to policy.
C. Ignore and hope it never happens again.
D. Publicly humiliate the soldier to set an example.
Discipline is maintained through timely correction and due process;
humiliation is counterproductive.
15.The purpose of aFRAG/FRAGORD during operations is to:
A. Confuse subordinate leaders.
B. Convey timely changes to the original order to all affected units.
C. Cancel all previous orders without replacement.
D. Reserve authority to civilian leadership only.
Fragmentary orders update or modify current plans to remain responsive
to changing circumstances.
16.During sustained operations, the primary consideration for logistics planning
is to:
A. Make units fend for themselves.
B. Ensure continuity of supplies, maintenance, and personnel recovery
to preserve combat power.
C. Ignore sustainment and prioritize tactical gains only.
D. Use local assets exclusively without verification.
Sustainment underwrites operational endurance—fuel, ammo, food, and
maintenance are vital.
17.A leader observes signs of moral injury among troops after intense combat.
The leader’s immediate responsibility is to:
A. Assign extra duties to keep them busy.
B. Provide access to mental health resources, rest, and an environment
that encourages seeking help.
C. Ignore symptoms until redeployment.
D. Remove them from the unit permanently.
Leaders should address psychological health proactively, reducing stigma
and enabling recovery.
18.The primary advantage of reconnaissance by fire is:
A. Guarantee target elimination without risk.
B. Suppress potential threats to observe enemy reactions and locate
positions.
C. Save ammunition by random firing.
D. Avoid using reconnaissance assets.
Reconnaissance by fire can provoke enemy disclosure but must be used
judiciously due to collateral risk.
19.The principle of economy of force dictates that a commander should:
A. Apply maximum force at every point.
TBS PHASE 3 — TACTICAL LEADERSHIP &
OPERATIONS ASSESSMENT EXAM 2026 ALL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS|ALREADY A GRADED | NEW!!
1. The primary responsibility of a platoon leader during a mounted convoy
through an area of potential enemy activity is to:
A. Micromanage vehicle drivers’ individual actions.
B. Maintain mission command, ensure force protection, and make
timely decisions to mitigate risk.
C. Delay all movement until HQ provides every detail.
D. Remove all radios to prevent interception.
In convoy operations, the leader retains overall responsibility for
command and protection while balancing mission accomplishment and
risk mitigation.
2. The principle of mission command emphasizes:
A. Detailed top-down control at all times.
B. Decentralized execution based on intent and disciplined initiative.
C. Leaders making no decisions below battalion level.
D. Stopping initiative to await written orders.
Mission command empowers subordinates to act within commander’s
intent to maintain tempo and adaptability.
3. In the military decision-making process (MDMP), the COA (course of
action) development should be:
A. Hasty and unstructured.
B. Feasible, acceptable, distinguishable, and complete.
C. Only based on historical precedent.
D. Left to junior NCOs exclusively.
COAs must meet criteria that enable selection and execution consistent
with the mission and available resources.
4. During a patrol, an ambush occurs. The first immediate action of the unit is
to:
A. Withdraw immediately without returning fire.
B. Seek cover, return effective fire (as required), and report situation to
higher headquarters.
C. Exercise public relations with local civilians.
,2|Page
D. Retrieve fallen equipment before addressing the threat.
Immediate actions focus on protecting personnel, neutralizing the threat if
possible, and communicating the situation.
5. The Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) requires commanders to:
A. Ignore civilian property if tactically convenient.
B. Distinguish between combatants and noncombatants and take
precautions to minimize civilian harm.
C. Use any means to achieve tactical surprise.
D. Prosecute prisoners without due process.
LOAC principles of distinction and proportionality govern lawful conduct
during operations.
6. When conducting a tactical risk assessment, what is the correct sequence?
A. Mitigate → Identify → Assess → Accept
B. Identify hazards → Assess risks → Develop controls → Implement
and supervise
C. Assess → Identify → Reject all risk → Execute
D. Implement controls first, then identify hazards
Risk management is a systematic process beginning with identification
and moving through assessment and control.
7. Which form of communication is most secure for transmitting mission-
critical intent in a degraded environment?
A. Open social media posts
B. Pre-arranged brevity codes and authenticated radio nets
C. Civilian cell phones without encryption
D. Broadcasting on public radio channels
Authenticated tactical communications and prearranged brevity reduce
confusion and improve security when systems are degraded.
8. A squad reports a casualty with a sucking chest wound during combat. The
immediate first step is to:
A. Evacuate without addressing the wound.
B. Seal the wound with an occlusive dressing and manage
airway/breathing per TCCC.
C. Wait for medical personnel only.
D. Remove all gear from the casualty’s chest.
Prehospital trauma care prioritizes airway and control of life-threatening
bleeding; occlusive dressings manage sucking chest wounds.
9. The principle of “redundancy” in communications planning means:
A. Use only one reliable system to avoid complexity.
B. Provide alternate means (radio, messenger, signal) to ensure
command and control continuity.
,3|Page
C. Repeat the same message endlessly over one channel.
D. Avoid backups to save weight.
Redundancy ensures the commander’s intent and orders can be
transmitted even if primary systems fail.
10.When planning an attack, the commander’s intent should include:
A. Detailed step-by-step actions for every subordinate.
B. Purpose, key tasks, and desired end state to guide subordinate
initiative.
C. Only the time of attack.
D. A list of prohibited actions only.
Clear intent gives subordinate leaders the freedom to adapt while aligning
their actions with mission objectives.
11.Which action best demonstrates ethical leadership?
A. Prioritizing mission over welfare at all costs.
B. Holding subordinates accountable while caring for their welfare and
setting the example.
C. Concealing mistakes to protect the unit’s reputation.
D. Delegating integrity decisions to subordinates only.
Ethical leadership balances mission accomplishment with respect and
accountability towards people.
12.During an area reconnaissance, the best method to reduce detection is to:
A. Move in a single file with lights on.
B. Use terrain, cover, and noise discipline; avoid predictable routes and
times.
C. Broadcast movement on radio for safety.
D. Walk in open areas for speed.
Concealment, camouflage, and noise discipline reduce signature and
detection by adversaries.
13.The rule of proportionality in the use of force requires commanders to:
A. Use any force available for tactical advantage.
B. Ensure expected civilian harm is not excessive in relation to
anticipated military advantage.
C. Never engage even when threatened.
D. Always prioritize property over lives.
Proportionality is a legal and ethical test to balance military necessity with
humanitarian considerations.
14.When a subordinate disobeys a lawful order during combat, the leader
should:
A. Immediately court-martial them on site.
B. Correct the behavior, assess causes, and administer appropriate
, 4|Page
corrective measures according to policy.
C. Ignore and hope it never happens again.
D. Publicly humiliate the soldier to set an example.
Discipline is maintained through timely correction and due process;
humiliation is counterproductive.
15.The purpose of aFRAG/FRAGORD during operations is to:
A. Confuse subordinate leaders.
B. Convey timely changes to the original order to all affected units.
C. Cancel all previous orders without replacement.
D. Reserve authority to civilian leadership only.
Fragmentary orders update or modify current plans to remain responsive
to changing circumstances.
16.During sustained operations, the primary consideration for logistics planning
is to:
A. Make units fend for themselves.
B. Ensure continuity of supplies, maintenance, and personnel recovery
to preserve combat power.
C. Ignore sustainment and prioritize tactical gains only.
D. Use local assets exclusively without verification.
Sustainment underwrites operational endurance—fuel, ammo, food, and
maintenance are vital.
17.A leader observes signs of moral injury among troops after intense combat.
The leader’s immediate responsibility is to:
A. Assign extra duties to keep them busy.
B. Provide access to mental health resources, rest, and an environment
that encourages seeking help.
C. Ignore symptoms until redeployment.
D. Remove them from the unit permanently.
Leaders should address psychological health proactively, reducing stigma
and enabling recovery.
18.The primary advantage of reconnaissance by fire is:
A. Guarantee target elimination without risk.
B. Suppress potential threats to observe enemy reactions and locate
positions.
C. Save ammunition by random firing.
D. Avoid using reconnaissance assets.
Reconnaissance by fire can provoke enemy disclosure but must be used
judiciously due to collateral risk.
19.The principle of economy of force dictates that a commander should:
A. Apply maximum force at every point.
