TBS PHASE 3 ACTUAL EXAM PAPER
2026 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◍ Know offensive fire control measures for machine guns [20].
Answer: Target Precedence: What do I shoot?When presented with multiple
targets, what takes priority?M16 key leaders, radio operators...-Engagement
Criteria: When do I shoot?In regards to friendly sequencing/enemy
actions/terrain-MSLs/Coordination Lines- When are these established and
how are they communicated-Rates of fire: When do i need additional effects
on target?Displacement criteria (MORT)
◍ Cone of Fire?.
Answer: Group of trajectories from burst of fire.
◍ Primary Direction of Fire (PDF).
Answer: axis oriented along avenue of approach (AoA). Usually integrated
w/ obstacles. T&E is zeroed on PDF.*FPL and PDF are both considered
FPFs (your bid for success or killing blow). A single MG can be assigned
either an FPL or PDF, but NOT BOTH. A MG w/ an FPL or PDF can still
engage in their sector of fire (SOF).
◍ Strongpoint.
Answer: A fortified defensive position designed to deny the enemy certain
terrain as well as the use of an avenue of approach.
◍ Preparatory Fires.
Answer: Conducted before the platoon steps into the attack, usually at the
battalion level or higher. These fires isolate the objective by targeting enemy
command and control, logistics, fire support, reinforcements, etc.
◍ Defensive Planning - PICMDEEP.
, Answer: a. Sectors of Fire (SoFs: FT is the smallest unit to get a SoF)b.
Principal Directions of Fire (PDFs: M249s and MGs can be assigned PDFs
to cover AoAs)i. Goal = Frontal Enfilading Firec. Final Protective Lines
(FPLs: MG can be assigned FPL mission)i. Goal = Flanking Enfilading
Fired. Engagement Criteria (WHEN do I shoot?)e. Target Precedence
(WHAT do I shoot and in what order?)
◍ Breaching fundamentals Assault.
Answer: Assault: A breaching operation is complete when the attacking
force has assaulted through the obstacle and seized the far side objective,
and eliminated enemy direct and indirect fires on the reduction area; and
battle handover (if planned) with follow on forces has occurred.
◍ Given a mission, a commander’s intent, and a defensive position, plan for
counter attack to accomplish the mission..
Answer: Counterattacks are either hasty or deliberate- Usually accomplished
using a reserve unit - can use least engaged unit in a pursuit
◍ Principles of Obstacle Employment (PIECON).
Answer: PROTECTED by early warning and anti-handling
devices.-INTEGRATED with existing and other reinforcing obstacles that
cannot be easily bypassed.-EMPLOYED in Depth.-COVERED by Fires,
-OBSERVED, Concealed, and employed for surprise.-NON-Geometric
◍ Survivability.
Answer: A key component of the defense, survivability includes all aspects
of protecting personnel, weapons, and supplies. The objective is to reduce
exposure to threat acquisition, targeting and engagement, and the effects of
weather and thereby contribute to a successful defense.
◍ Economy of force.
Answer: Allocate minimum essential combat power to secondary efforts
◍ M252 81mm Mortar.
Answer: Smoothbore, muzzle loaded, and high angle of fire weapon. The
81mm mortar is the infantry battalion commander's organic indirect fire
, weapon in the same manner as the 60mm is the rifle company commander's
organic indirect fire weapon.Weight - 100 lbsMax Rate - 30 rpmSustained
Rate - 15 rpmMax Eff Range - 5700mAmmo - HE, WP, RP, Illum, IR Illum
◍ SWFT-E (T).
Answer: Target Precedence: WHAT do I shoot and in what order
◍ Flanking Attack.
Answer: 1. uses fire and maneuver in order to gain a position of advantage
against an enemy vulnerability. 2. usually uses a support by fire position that
diverts attention away from the main effort and uses fires to fix the enemy in
place, preventing them from reorienting on the main effort.
◍ five types of reinforcing obstacles are.
Answer: constructed, demolitions, mines/minefields, contamination, and
expedient.
◍ Oblique Fire.
Answer: Fire delivered on the oblique of a target, when the target is oriented
between 0 and 90 degrees to the firing unit.
◍ Skirmisher Trench.
Answer: The trench is shallow pit type emplacement which provides a
temporary, open prone firing position. A low silhouette is presented and it
affords protection to a limited extent from small arms fire. It can be
developed further into a prone emplacement.
◍ 81mm Mortar Platoon.
Answer: Platoon HQ:PC, PS, Ammo Tech, Ammo man / driverSections
(2):- Section HQ: Section leader, two ammo men, plotter, recorder, driver,
two forward observersMortar Squad (4):Squad leader, gunner, 3 ammo men
◍ Max effective rang of SMAW.
Answer: 250 (HEDM) or 500 (HEAA)
◍ Offensive Roles of MG's.
Answer: Fires in Support of: Maneuver, Consolidation, Assault, Isolation
2026 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◍ Know offensive fire control measures for machine guns [20].
Answer: Target Precedence: What do I shoot?When presented with multiple
targets, what takes priority?M16 key leaders, radio operators...-Engagement
Criteria: When do I shoot?In regards to friendly sequencing/enemy
actions/terrain-MSLs/Coordination Lines- When are these established and
how are they communicated-Rates of fire: When do i need additional effects
on target?Displacement criteria (MORT)
◍ Cone of Fire?.
Answer: Group of trajectories from burst of fire.
◍ Primary Direction of Fire (PDF).
Answer: axis oriented along avenue of approach (AoA). Usually integrated
w/ obstacles. T&E is zeroed on PDF.*FPL and PDF are both considered
FPFs (your bid for success or killing blow). A single MG can be assigned
either an FPL or PDF, but NOT BOTH. A MG w/ an FPL or PDF can still
engage in their sector of fire (SOF).
◍ Strongpoint.
Answer: A fortified defensive position designed to deny the enemy certain
terrain as well as the use of an avenue of approach.
◍ Preparatory Fires.
Answer: Conducted before the platoon steps into the attack, usually at the
battalion level or higher. These fires isolate the objective by targeting enemy
command and control, logistics, fire support, reinforcements, etc.
◍ Defensive Planning - PICMDEEP.
, Answer: a. Sectors of Fire (SoFs: FT is the smallest unit to get a SoF)b.
Principal Directions of Fire (PDFs: M249s and MGs can be assigned PDFs
to cover AoAs)i. Goal = Frontal Enfilading Firec. Final Protective Lines
(FPLs: MG can be assigned FPL mission)i. Goal = Flanking Enfilading
Fired. Engagement Criteria (WHEN do I shoot?)e. Target Precedence
(WHAT do I shoot and in what order?)
◍ Breaching fundamentals Assault.
Answer: Assault: A breaching operation is complete when the attacking
force has assaulted through the obstacle and seized the far side objective,
and eliminated enemy direct and indirect fires on the reduction area; and
battle handover (if planned) with follow on forces has occurred.
◍ Given a mission, a commander’s intent, and a defensive position, plan for
counter attack to accomplish the mission..
Answer: Counterattacks are either hasty or deliberate- Usually accomplished
using a reserve unit - can use least engaged unit in a pursuit
◍ Principles of Obstacle Employment (PIECON).
Answer: PROTECTED by early warning and anti-handling
devices.-INTEGRATED with existing and other reinforcing obstacles that
cannot be easily bypassed.-EMPLOYED in Depth.-COVERED by Fires,
-OBSERVED, Concealed, and employed for surprise.-NON-Geometric
◍ Survivability.
Answer: A key component of the defense, survivability includes all aspects
of protecting personnel, weapons, and supplies. The objective is to reduce
exposure to threat acquisition, targeting and engagement, and the effects of
weather and thereby contribute to a successful defense.
◍ Economy of force.
Answer: Allocate minimum essential combat power to secondary efforts
◍ M252 81mm Mortar.
Answer: Smoothbore, muzzle loaded, and high angle of fire weapon. The
81mm mortar is the infantry battalion commander's organic indirect fire
, weapon in the same manner as the 60mm is the rifle company commander's
organic indirect fire weapon.Weight - 100 lbsMax Rate - 30 rpmSustained
Rate - 15 rpmMax Eff Range - 5700mAmmo - HE, WP, RP, Illum, IR Illum
◍ SWFT-E (T).
Answer: Target Precedence: WHAT do I shoot and in what order
◍ Flanking Attack.
Answer: 1. uses fire and maneuver in order to gain a position of advantage
against an enemy vulnerability. 2. usually uses a support by fire position that
diverts attention away from the main effort and uses fires to fix the enemy in
place, preventing them from reorienting on the main effort.
◍ five types of reinforcing obstacles are.
Answer: constructed, demolitions, mines/minefields, contamination, and
expedient.
◍ Oblique Fire.
Answer: Fire delivered on the oblique of a target, when the target is oriented
between 0 and 90 degrees to the firing unit.
◍ Skirmisher Trench.
Answer: The trench is shallow pit type emplacement which provides a
temporary, open prone firing position. A low silhouette is presented and it
affords protection to a limited extent from small arms fire. It can be
developed further into a prone emplacement.
◍ 81mm Mortar Platoon.
Answer: Platoon HQ:PC, PS, Ammo Tech, Ammo man / driverSections
(2):- Section HQ: Section leader, two ammo men, plotter, recorder, driver,
two forward observersMortar Squad (4):Squad leader, gunner, 3 ammo men
◍ Max effective rang of SMAW.
Answer: 250 (HEDM) or 500 (HEAA)
◍ Offensive Roles of MG's.
Answer: Fires in Support of: Maneuver, Consolidation, Assault, Isolation
