TBS PHASE 3 Question and Answer [2026] |
UPDATED ACTUAL Exam | Ultimate Study Guide
• Five essential elements of offensive SOM -✓✓ DDFTC
-Distribution of Forces
One ME/Multiple SEs
-Direction of Attack
Direction of movement upon crossing the line of departure (LD)
-Form of Maneuver
Frontal or flanking at TBS
-TCMs
Sequential brief of all TCMS (AA, Atk Pos, LD, RP, ORP, Aslt Pos, Obj, etc.)
-Consolidation
Security, resupply, CASEVAC, etc.
• Know methods of SBF occupation -✓✓ Stealth
Achieved when the enemy is not aware of the support by fire position until the SBF
initiates fire--provides surprise and prevents early deployment of friendly forces
Force
Required when the enemy observes the occupation, or is currently positioned on the
planned support by fire position. The SBF element will need to destroy, clear, or
neutralize any enemy on that SBF location and be prepared to begin immediate
suppression in the objective. The commander should not occupy the support by fire
position until ready for the supporting fires in order to mitigate friendly exposure to
enemy fires.
• Know methods of occupying PLD and advantages/disadvantages of each -✓✓ Crow's
Foot
Bent L
Hybrid/Combination
• Know how to build TTLODAC within EFST -✓✓ -Target
Consists of tgt description and tgt number (you don't pick your own)
-Trigger
This is the condition to fire the target. For scheduled targets, the trigger will be
associated with a time.
Cannot make the trigger on order or on signal. The trigger is always associated with an
event (more than 'on observation,' as well)
-Location
Include grid zone designator and at least 6 digit grid
,-Observer
Must have primary and alternate
-Delivery System
Must be primary and alternate
-Attack Guidance
Type of ammo
-Communication Nets
Primary and alternate
• Define types of defensive ops -✓✓ -Mobile
Where the bulk of the force is held as a mobile striking force with strict economy applied
to dedicated positional supporting efforts designed to canalize, delay, and disrupt the
enemy's attack
In this case, the static positions help control the depth and breadth of enemy
penetrations and ensure retention of ground from which to launch counterattacks
(MCDP 1-0)
-Area
Orients on retention of terrain by absorbing the enemy in an interlocking series of
positions and destroying him largely by fires
Mutual support and positions in depth force the enemy to expose his force in the attack
to each position (MCWP 3-1)
Dynamic elements include patrols, intelligence units, and reserve forces to cover gaps
among defensive positions, reinforcing those positions as necessary and
counterattacking as directed (MCDP 1-0)
-Retrograde
Involves organized movement away from the enemy
A transitional operation, the retrograde defense occurs within a larger scheme designed
to regain the initiative from the enemy
Three specific defensive methods—delay, withdrawal, and retirement—are associated
with the retrograde
• Define methods of defensive ops -✓✓ -Battle Position
Oriented on the most likely enemy avenue of approach from which a unit may defend or
attack
It can be used to deny or delay the enemy the use of certain terrain or an avenue of
approach
Because a battle position is oriented on a likely enemy avenue of approach, it will
generally be linear in nature so that the defender is able to mass his fires and maximize
effects
-Strongpoint
, A fortified defensive position designed to deny the enemy certain terrain as well as the
use of an avenue of approach
It differs from a battle position in that it is designed to be occupied for an extended
period of time
It is established on critical terrain and must be held for the defense to succeed
A strongpoint is organized for all-around defense and should have sufficient supplies
and ammunition to continue to fight even if surrounded or cut off from resupply
A strongpoint will typically contain significant combat service support assets and will
generally be utilized at the battalion level and above
-Perimeter
A perimeter defense is oriented in all directions--A unit can use this defensive technique
to accomplish a specific mission, such as defend friendly infrastructure, or to provide
immediate self-protection, such as during resupply operations when all-around security
is required
Weapons employment considerations are similar to those used when conducting a
strongpoint
The commander establishes a perimeter defense when the unit must hold critical
terrain, or when it must defend itself in areas where the defense is not tied in with
adjacent units
Within a perimeter defense, a subordinate unit may utilize another defensive technique
as part of the larger unit's perimeter defense
-Reverse-slope
A reverse slope is any slope which descends away from the enemy--A reverse slope
defense is organized so that the main defensive
• Know elements of defensive SOM (TDOOTS) -✓✓ -Type/Method of Defense
E.g. Area defense using Battle Position/linear/reverse slope method
-Distribution of Forces
Main Effort, SE1, SE2, SE3, etc.
-Orientation
Cardinal Direction (South)
-Occupation Method
Same as an ambush: (Crow's Foot, Bent L, Combination)
-Tactical Control Measures
The way the platoon commander will sequence and control the defense, just as the
platoon commander uses them in the attack: Target Reference Points, Trigger Lines,
Patrol Routes, ORP, and similar ones should be included
-Security Plan
UPDATED ACTUAL Exam | Ultimate Study Guide
• Five essential elements of offensive SOM -✓✓ DDFTC
-Distribution of Forces
One ME/Multiple SEs
-Direction of Attack
Direction of movement upon crossing the line of departure (LD)
-Form of Maneuver
Frontal or flanking at TBS
-TCMs
Sequential brief of all TCMS (AA, Atk Pos, LD, RP, ORP, Aslt Pos, Obj, etc.)
-Consolidation
Security, resupply, CASEVAC, etc.
• Know methods of SBF occupation -✓✓ Stealth
Achieved when the enemy is not aware of the support by fire position until the SBF
initiates fire--provides surprise and prevents early deployment of friendly forces
Force
Required when the enemy observes the occupation, or is currently positioned on the
planned support by fire position. The SBF element will need to destroy, clear, or
neutralize any enemy on that SBF location and be prepared to begin immediate
suppression in the objective. The commander should not occupy the support by fire
position until ready for the supporting fires in order to mitigate friendly exposure to
enemy fires.
• Know methods of occupying PLD and advantages/disadvantages of each -✓✓ Crow's
Foot
Bent L
Hybrid/Combination
• Know how to build TTLODAC within EFST -✓✓ -Target
Consists of tgt description and tgt number (you don't pick your own)
-Trigger
This is the condition to fire the target. For scheduled targets, the trigger will be
associated with a time.
Cannot make the trigger on order or on signal. The trigger is always associated with an
event (more than 'on observation,' as well)
-Location
Include grid zone designator and at least 6 digit grid
,-Observer
Must have primary and alternate
-Delivery System
Must be primary and alternate
-Attack Guidance
Type of ammo
-Communication Nets
Primary and alternate
• Define types of defensive ops -✓✓ -Mobile
Where the bulk of the force is held as a mobile striking force with strict economy applied
to dedicated positional supporting efforts designed to canalize, delay, and disrupt the
enemy's attack
In this case, the static positions help control the depth and breadth of enemy
penetrations and ensure retention of ground from which to launch counterattacks
(MCDP 1-0)
-Area
Orients on retention of terrain by absorbing the enemy in an interlocking series of
positions and destroying him largely by fires
Mutual support and positions in depth force the enemy to expose his force in the attack
to each position (MCWP 3-1)
Dynamic elements include patrols, intelligence units, and reserve forces to cover gaps
among defensive positions, reinforcing those positions as necessary and
counterattacking as directed (MCDP 1-0)
-Retrograde
Involves organized movement away from the enemy
A transitional operation, the retrograde defense occurs within a larger scheme designed
to regain the initiative from the enemy
Three specific defensive methods—delay, withdrawal, and retirement—are associated
with the retrograde
• Define methods of defensive ops -✓✓ -Battle Position
Oriented on the most likely enemy avenue of approach from which a unit may defend or
attack
It can be used to deny or delay the enemy the use of certain terrain or an avenue of
approach
Because a battle position is oriented on a likely enemy avenue of approach, it will
generally be linear in nature so that the defender is able to mass his fires and maximize
effects
-Strongpoint
, A fortified defensive position designed to deny the enemy certain terrain as well as the
use of an avenue of approach
It differs from a battle position in that it is designed to be occupied for an extended
period of time
It is established on critical terrain and must be held for the defense to succeed
A strongpoint is organized for all-around defense and should have sufficient supplies
and ammunition to continue to fight even if surrounded or cut off from resupply
A strongpoint will typically contain significant combat service support assets and will
generally be utilized at the battalion level and above
-Perimeter
A perimeter defense is oriented in all directions--A unit can use this defensive technique
to accomplish a specific mission, such as defend friendly infrastructure, or to provide
immediate self-protection, such as during resupply operations when all-around security
is required
Weapons employment considerations are similar to those used when conducting a
strongpoint
The commander establishes a perimeter defense when the unit must hold critical
terrain, or when it must defend itself in areas where the defense is not tied in with
adjacent units
Within a perimeter defense, a subordinate unit may utilize another defensive technique
as part of the larger unit's perimeter defense
-Reverse-slope
A reverse slope is any slope which descends away from the enemy--A reverse slope
defense is organized so that the main defensive
• Know elements of defensive SOM (TDOOTS) -✓✓ -Type/Method of Defense
E.g. Area defense using Battle Position/linear/reverse slope method
-Distribution of Forces
Main Effort, SE1, SE2, SE3, etc.
-Orientation
Cardinal Direction (South)
-Occupation Method
Same as an ambush: (Crow's Foot, Bent L, Combination)
-Tactical Control Measures
The way the platoon commander will sequence and control the defense, just as the
platoon commander uses them in the attack: Target Reference Points, Trigger Lines,
Patrol Routes, ORP, and similar ones should be included
-Security Plan
