TBS Phase 3 Exam Guide
2026: Tactics, Questions &
Answers
Ace your TBS Phase 3 Exam with this comprehensive and up-to-date guide tailored for
2026 standards. This resource breaks down complex tactical concepts—from frontal and
flanking attacks to machine gun employment, defensive positioning, and modern IED
threats—into clear, multiple-choice questions with detailed explanations. Each answer is
designed to reinforce key doctrines, improve critical thinking, and ensure you’re
prepared for both written and practical evaluations. Whether you're reviewing offensive
fires, obstacle integration, or current battlefield engineering roles, this guide provides
the clarity and depth needed to excel. TBS Phase 3 Exam, Combat Engineering, Military
Tactics, Breaching Operations
Frontal Attack - ✔✔correct answer ✔✔..A form of maneuver
in which an attacking force seeks to destroy a weaker
enemy force or fix a larger enemy force in place over a
broad front.
Flanking Attack - ✔✔correct 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.
,Classification of Offensive Fires - ✔✔correct answer ✔✔..-
Fires in support of maneuver-the MG unit will suppress the
maneuver unit's immediate objective to allow the unit to
move into position to conduct the final assault.
-Fires in support of isolation- the MG unit will suppress any
enemy unit that can interfere with the maneuver elements
advance.
-Fires in support of assault- the MG unit will suppress the
maneuver unit's immediate objective.
-Fires in support of consolidation- enemy counterattack
should be expected following seizure of objective. MG's are
used to protect the unit's consolidation and reorganization.
Types of Attacks - ✔✔correct answer ✔✔..Deliberate
Hasty
Priority of Recon - ✔✔correct answer ✔✔..o Confirm
location of enemy defense CSW, obstacles and security.
o Identify the EN CV
o Identify the assault position that will best allow the ME to
assault the enemy
o Identify the best support by fire position
o Identify routes and TCM's
Occupying Support By Fire - ✔✔correct answer ✔✔..-Stealth
-Force
Eight Principles of Machine Gun Employment, PICMDEEP -
✔✔correct answer ✔✔..Pairs
Interlocking fires
coordination of fires
Mutual Suport
Defilade
Enfilade
, Economy of fires
Protection
Principal Direction of Fire - ✔✔correct answer ✔✔..the
weapons primary focus is covering a likely avenue of
approach, key piece of terrain, or whatever object of
interest that unit leader assigns it. Weapon will left and right
lateral limits.
Final Protective Line - ✔✔correct answer ✔✔..the weapon is
primarily in a position to employ grazing fires (center of the
cone of fire does not pass 1 meter off the deck) across a
unit's frontage as a last effort to defend the lines.
7 Steps of Engagement Area Development - ✔✔correct
answer ✔✔..1. Identify all likely enemy avenues of approach
2. Determine likely enemy schemes of maneuver
3. Determine where to kill the enemy
4. Emplace weapon systems
5. Plan and integrate obstacles
6. Plan and integrate indirect fires
7. Conduct EA rehearsals
Types of Defensive Positions - ✔✔correct answer
✔✔..Primary
Supplementary
Alternate
Subsequent
Primary Positon - ✔✔correct answer ✔✔..is the best place to
accomplish the assigned mission.
2026: Tactics, Questions &
Answers
Ace your TBS Phase 3 Exam with this comprehensive and up-to-date guide tailored for
2026 standards. This resource breaks down complex tactical concepts—from frontal and
flanking attacks to machine gun employment, defensive positioning, and modern IED
threats—into clear, multiple-choice questions with detailed explanations. Each answer is
designed to reinforce key doctrines, improve critical thinking, and ensure you’re
prepared for both written and practical evaluations. Whether you're reviewing offensive
fires, obstacle integration, or current battlefield engineering roles, this guide provides
the clarity and depth needed to excel. TBS Phase 3 Exam, Combat Engineering, Military
Tactics, Breaching Operations
Frontal Attack - ✔✔correct answer ✔✔..A form of maneuver
in which an attacking force seeks to destroy a weaker
enemy force or fix a larger enemy force in place over a
broad front.
Flanking Attack - ✔✔correct 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.
,Classification of Offensive Fires - ✔✔correct answer ✔✔..-
Fires in support of maneuver-the MG unit will suppress the
maneuver unit's immediate objective to allow the unit to
move into position to conduct the final assault.
-Fires in support of isolation- the MG unit will suppress any
enemy unit that can interfere with the maneuver elements
advance.
-Fires in support of assault- the MG unit will suppress the
maneuver unit's immediate objective.
-Fires in support of consolidation- enemy counterattack
should be expected following seizure of objective. MG's are
used to protect the unit's consolidation and reorganization.
Types of Attacks - ✔✔correct answer ✔✔..Deliberate
Hasty
Priority of Recon - ✔✔correct answer ✔✔..o Confirm
location of enemy defense CSW, obstacles and security.
o Identify the EN CV
o Identify the assault position that will best allow the ME to
assault the enemy
o Identify the best support by fire position
o Identify routes and TCM's
Occupying Support By Fire - ✔✔correct answer ✔✔..-Stealth
-Force
Eight Principles of Machine Gun Employment, PICMDEEP -
✔✔correct answer ✔✔..Pairs
Interlocking fires
coordination of fires
Mutual Suport
Defilade
Enfilade
, Economy of fires
Protection
Principal Direction of Fire - ✔✔correct answer ✔✔..the
weapons primary focus is covering a likely avenue of
approach, key piece of terrain, or whatever object of
interest that unit leader assigns it. Weapon will left and right
lateral limits.
Final Protective Line - ✔✔correct answer ✔✔..the weapon is
primarily in a position to employ grazing fires (center of the
cone of fire does not pass 1 meter off the deck) across a
unit's frontage as a last effort to defend the lines.
7 Steps of Engagement Area Development - ✔✔correct
answer ✔✔..1. Identify all likely enemy avenues of approach
2. Determine likely enemy schemes of maneuver
3. Determine where to kill the enemy
4. Emplace weapon systems
5. Plan and integrate obstacles
6. Plan and integrate indirect fires
7. Conduct EA rehearsals
Types of Defensive Positions - ✔✔correct answer
✔✔..Primary
Supplementary
Alternate
Subsequent
Primary Positon - ✔✔correct answer ✔✔..is the best place to
accomplish the assigned mission.
