SGTS COURSE TACTICAL PLANNING EXAMS
STUDY GUIDE ALL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
SURE A+
✔✔Select the two tools that MCDP 1-3 identifies as primary tools to achieve
decentralization while maintaining the requisite control. Select all that apply. -
✔✔Commander's intent
Mission tactics
✔✔Leaders of Marines have a responsibility to make things happen fast. One of the
tactical concepts identified in MCDP 1-3 to increase speed is through positioning. Which
of the following best captures the concept of speed gained by positioning? - ✔✔A leader
can make the unit faster by trying to be at the point of friction. The leader may be with
the main effort, with a supporting effort, or in the rear. A leader who is forward can
instantly influence the battle as the situation develops. The key is to be where we can
best influence the actions of our units.
✔✔Anticipation and improvisation - ✔✔Anticipation
Anticipation is having enough situational awareness (METT-T) to understand a situation
in advance and take preparatory action.
•All planning at all echelons is a form of anticipatory adaptation—adapting our actions in
advance.
, •Another important tool for tactical adaptation is the use of immediate-action drills or
standing operating procedures. Having a collection of these tools at our disposal allows
us to react immediately in a coordinated way to a broad variety of tactical situations.
Improvisation
Improvisation is critically important to increasing speed. It requires leaders with:
•Strong situational awareness and a firm understanding of their senior commander's
intent
•Boldness to adjust their actions in accordance with the higher commander's desires
•An intuitive appreciation for what will and will not work based upon creativity,
intelligence, and experience
✔✔Developing flexibility - ✔✔Flexible plans
Decentralized decisionmaking
✔✔Adaptability is an important part of Marine Corps tactics. There are two basic ways
to adapt; to be fully adaptable, we must be proficient at both. Correctly identify the two
ways to adapt. - ✔✔Anticipation and improvisation
✔✔Control - ✔✔Centralized control: Top down, one person at the top decides
everything
Decentralized control: Works from bottom up, supporting intent from the top down.
Allows subordinates to work together to support commander's intent. Increases speed
and tempo
✔✔Discipline - ✔✔Imposed Discipline
Imposed discipline is characterized by instant obedience to orders.
External in nature, imposed discipline:
•Ensures compliance with established procedures, rules, or guidance and direction from
above
•Is a means to achieve efficiency in accomplishment of routine duties or drills
In its most extreme form, imposed discipline can:
•Be rigid, paralyzing, and can destroy initiative
•Make units vulnerable to the effects of chaos and uncertainty, and unable to cooperate
with one another
Self-discipline
The common bond that ensures cooperation between Marines is self-discipline.
•Self-discipline will not allow us to shirk responsibility or blame others.
•A discipline failure—often a failure to act—is a personal failure.
•Regardless of who is in charge, we are responsible to do everything we can to achieve
the common goal.
•We cooperate with fellow Marines in our unit and beyond.
STUDY GUIDE ALL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
SURE A+
✔✔Select the two tools that MCDP 1-3 identifies as primary tools to achieve
decentralization while maintaining the requisite control. Select all that apply. -
✔✔Commander's intent
Mission tactics
✔✔Leaders of Marines have a responsibility to make things happen fast. One of the
tactical concepts identified in MCDP 1-3 to increase speed is through positioning. Which
of the following best captures the concept of speed gained by positioning? - ✔✔A leader
can make the unit faster by trying to be at the point of friction. The leader may be with
the main effort, with a supporting effort, or in the rear. A leader who is forward can
instantly influence the battle as the situation develops. The key is to be where we can
best influence the actions of our units.
✔✔Anticipation and improvisation - ✔✔Anticipation
Anticipation is having enough situational awareness (METT-T) to understand a situation
in advance and take preparatory action.
•All planning at all echelons is a form of anticipatory adaptation—adapting our actions in
advance.
, •Another important tool for tactical adaptation is the use of immediate-action drills or
standing operating procedures. Having a collection of these tools at our disposal allows
us to react immediately in a coordinated way to a broad variety of tactical situations.
Improvisation
Improvisation is critically important to increasing speed. It requires leaders with:
•Strong situational awareness and a firm understanding of their senior commander's
intent
•Boldness to adjust their actions in accordance with the higher commander's desires
•An intuitive appreciation for what will and will not work based upon creativity,
intelligence, and experience
✔✔Developing flexibility - ✔✔Flexible plans
Decentralized decisionmaking
✔✔Adaptability is an important part of Marine Corps tactics. There are two basic ways
to adapt; to be fully adaptable, we must be proficient at both. Correctly identify the two
ways to adapt. - ✔✔Anticipation and improvisation
✔✔Control - ✔✔Centralized control: Top down, one person at the top decides
everything
Decentralized control: Works from bottom up, supporting intent from the top down.
Allows subordinates to work together to support commander's intent. Increases speed
and tempo
✔✔Discipline - ✔✔Imposed Discipline
Imposed discipline is characterized by instant obedience to orders.
External in nature, imposed discipline:
•Ensures compliance with established procedures, rules, or guidance and direction from
above
•Is a means to achieve efficiency in accomplishment of routine duties or drills
In its most extreme form, imposed discipline can:
•Be rigid, paralyzing, and can destroy initiative
•Make units vulnerable to the effects of chaos and uncertainty, and unable to cooperate
with one another
Self-discipline
The common bond that ensures cooperation between Marines is self-discipline.
•Self-discipline will not allow us to shirk responsibility or blame others.
•A discipline failure—often a failure to act—is a personal failure.
•Regardless of who is in charge, we are responsible to do everything we can to achieve
the common goal.
•We cooperate with fellow Marines in our unit and beyond.
