SGTS COURSE TACTICAL TOOLS
LEADERSHIP AND FIELD EQUIPMENT
ASSESSMENT SCRIPT QUESTIONS
SOLUTIONS OPERATIONAL READINESS
REVIEW 2026
◉ Mass
Answer: Mass refers to the concentration of friendly capabilities at
the decisive place and time to achieve decisive results. Mass applies
to fires, combat support, combat service support, and numbers of
forces. Proper use of the principle of mass, together with the other
principles of war, allow a numerically inferior force to achieve
decisive local superiority. The decision to concentrate requires strict
economy and the acceptance of risk elsewhere, particularly in view
of the lethality of modern weapons that mandate the rapid assembly
and speedy dispersal of forces.
◉ Objective
Answer: This principle advises the direction of every military
operation toward a clearly defined, decisive, and attainable
objective. The objective of each operation must contribute to the
ultimate objective or purpose of the operation. It requires a clear
understanding of the overall mission and intent of the higher
,command, the tasks that must be performed, and the reasons for
them. Objectives ensure all actions contribute to the higher
commander's endstate. Clearly defined objectives promote initiative.
◉ Offensive
Answer: Seize, retain, and exploit the initiative. Offensive action is
the decisive form of combat. It is necessary to maintain freedom of
action. Offensive action allows leaders to exploit enemy weaknesses,
impose their will upon the enemy, and determine the course of the
battle.
◉ Simplicity
Answer: Simplicity means preparing clear, uncomplicated plans and
clear, concise orders to ensure thorough understanding. Plans
should be as simple and direct as the situation and mission dictate.
Direct, simple plans and clear, concise orders reduce the chance for
misunderstanding and confusion and promote effective execution.
◉ Economy of Force
Answer: The reciprocal of the principle of mass, economy of force
allocates minimum essential combat power to secondary efforts.
The commander allocates the minimum essential combat power to
secondary efforts, requiring the acceptance of prudent risks in
selected areas to achieve superiority at the decisive time and
location with the main effort.
,◉ Maneuver
Answer: Maneuver is the flexible application of combat power to
achieve a position of advantage with respect to the enemy to
accomplish the mission. Maneuver is the employment of forces in
any dimension, whether temporal (operate at a tempo greater that
the enemy's), psychological (destroy the enemy's will to fight),
technological (superior equipment), or spatial (a positional
disadvantage) to gain an advantage.
◉ Unity of Command
Answer: Unity of command requires unity of effort for every
objective under one responsible commander. The goal of unity of
command is unity of effort.
◉ Surprise
Answer: Strike the enemy at a time or place or in a manner that he is
unprepared for. It is not essential that the enemy be taken when
unaware, but that the enemy becomes aware too late to react
effectively.
◉ Security
Answer: The goal of security is to never permit the enemy to acquire
an unexpected advantage. Security measures are designed to
prevent surprise, ensure freedom of action, and deny the enemy
information about friendly forces, capabilities, and plans. It does not
imply the over-application of caution to eliminate risk, but rather
, seeks to enhance our operations through bold maneuver and
acceptance of calculated risk.
◉ Art of Tactics
Answer: The art of tactics lies in how we creatively form and apply
military force in a given situation. It involves the creation,
positioning, and maneuver of combat power. For example,
understanding tactics allows us to answer questions such as "When
do we attack the enemy using a frontal, flanking, or enveloping
attack?" This creativity is a developed capacity acquired through
education, practice, and experience.
◉ The Science of Tactics
Answer: The science of tactics lies in the technical application of
combat power. It includes mastering the techniques and procedures
that contribute to the warfighting skills such as marksmanship,
gunnery, land navigation, and close air support. The execution of
these techniques and procedures must become second nature to us,
requiring intensive and continuous training. Without mastery of
basic warfighting skills, artistry and creativity in their application
are impossible. We must always strive for "brilliance in the basics" at
all levels to ensure success.
◉ Successful execution of Marine Corps tactics concepts
Answer: Achieving a decision
•Gaining advantage
LEADERSHIP AND FIELD EQUIPMENT
ASSESSMENT SCRIPT QUESTIONS
SOLUTIONS OPERATIONAL READINESS
REVIEW 2026
◉ Mass
Answer: Mass refers to the concentration of friendly capabilities at
the decisive place and time to achieve decisive results. Mass applies
to fires, combat support, combat service support, and numbers of
forces. Proper use of the principle of mass, together with the other
principles of war, allow a numerically inferior force to achieve
decisive local superiority. The decision to concentrate requires strict
economy and the acceptance of risk elsewhere, particularly in view
of the lethality of modern weapons that mandate the rapid assembly
and speedy dispersal of forces.
◉ Objective
Answer: This principle advises the direction of every military
operation toward a clearly defined, decisive, and attainable
objective. The objective of each operation must contribute to the
ultimate objective or purpose of the operation. It requires a clear
understanding of the overall mission and intent of the higher
,command, the tasks that must be performed, and the reasons for
them. Objectives ensure all actions contribute to the higher
commander's endstate. Clearly defined objectives promote initiative.
◉ Offensive
Answer: Seize, retain, and exploit the initiative. Offensive action is
the decisive form of combat. It is necessary to maintain freedom of
action. Offensive action allows leaders to exploit enemy weaknesses,
impose their will upon the enemy, and determine the course of the
battle.
◉ Simplicity
Answer: Simplicity means preparing clear, uncomplicated plans and
clear, concise orders to ensure thorough understanding. Plans
should be as simple and direct as the situation and mission dictate.
Direct, simple plans and clear, concise orders reduce the chance for
misunderstanding and confusion and promote effective execution.
◉ Economy of Force
Answer: The reciprocal of the principle of mass, economy of force
allocates minimum essential combat power to secondary efforts.
The commander allocates the minimum essential combat power to
secondary efforts, requiring the acceptance of prudent risks in
selected areas to achieve superiority at the decisive time and
location with the main effort.
,◉ Maneuver
Answer: Maneuver is the flexible application of combat power to
achieve a position of advantage with respect to the enemy to
accomplish the mission. Maneuver is the employment of forces in
any dimension, whether temporal (operate at a tempo greater that
the enemy's), psychological (destroy the enemy's will to fight),
technological (superior equipment), or spatial (a positional
disadvantage) to gain an advantage.
◉ Unity of Command
Answer: Unity of command requires unity of effort for every
objective under one responsible commander. The goal of unity of
command is unity of effort.
◉ Surprise
Answer: Strike the enemy at a time or place or in a manner that he is
unprepared for. It is not essential that the enemy be taken when
unaware, but that the enemy becomes aware too late to react
effectively.
◉ Security
Answer: The goal of security is to never permit the enemy to acquire
an unexpected advantage. Security measures are designed to
prevent surprise, ensure freedom of action, and deny the enemy
information about friendly forces, capabilities, and plans. It does not
imply the over-application of caution to eliminate risk, but rather
, seeks to enhance our operations through bold maneuver and
acceptance of calculated risk.
◉ Art of Tactics
Answer: The art of tactics lies in how we creatively form and apply
military force in a given situation. It involves the creation,
positioning, and maneuver of combat power. For example,
understanding tactics allows us to answer questions such as "When
do we attack the enemy using a frontal, flanking, or enveloping
attack?" This creativity is a developed capacity acquired through
education, practice, and experience.
◉ The Science of Tactics
Answer: The science of tactics lies in the technical application of
combat power. It includes mastering the techniques and procedures
that contribute to the warfighting skills such as marksmanship,
gunnery, land navigation, and close air support. The execution of
these techniques and procedures must become second nature to us,
requiring intensive and continuous training. Without mastery of
basic warfighting skills, artistry and creativity in their application
are impossible. We must always strive for "brilliance in the basics" at
all levels to ensure success.
◉ Successful execution of Marine Corps tactics concepts
Answer: Achieving a decision
•Gaining advantage
