CORPORALS COURSE TACTICAL PLANNING
2026 EXAM PREPARATION PACK KEY
LEADERSHIP AND OPERATIONS CONCEPTS
◉ 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
•Being faster
, •Adapting
•Cooperating
•Exploiting success
◉ Tactics is defined as __________.. Answer: The art and science of
winning engagements and battles
◉ Analytical Decision Making. Answer: If time is available to analyze
situations deliberately and to consider multiple options, leaders
should make the most of it. Comparing several options and selecting
the best one is known as analytical decision- making.
◉ Intuitive Decision-Making. Answer: Once engaged, however, the
leader will find that time is short and the need for speed paramount.
In some cases, speeding up the analytical decision-making process
may be sufficient; however, in most cases intuitive decision-making
is needed to generate and maintain tempo. Intuitive decision-making
relies on a leader's intuitive ability to recognize the key elements of
a particular problem and arrive at the proper decision without
having to compare multiple options.
◉ Acting Decisively. Answer: Identify Enemy Critical Vulnerabilities
Shape the battlefield to our advantage
2026 EXAM PREPARATION PACK KEY
LEADERSHIP AND OPERATIONS CONCEPTS
◉ 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
•Being faster
, •Adapting
•Cooperating
•Exploiting success
◉ Tactics is defined as __________.. Answer: The art and science of
winning engagements and battles
◉ Analytical Decision Making. Answer: If time is available to analyze
situations deliberately and to consider multiple options, leaders
should make the most of it. Comparing several options and selecting
the best one is known as analytical decision- making.
◉ Intuitive Decision-Making. Answer: Once engaged, however, the
leader will find that time is short and the need for speed paramount.
In some cases, speeding up the analytical decision-making process
may be sufficient; however, in most cases intuitive decision-making
is needed to generate and maintain tempo. Intuitive decision-making
relies on a leader's intuitive ability to recognize the key elements of
a particular problem and arrive at the proper decision without
having to compare multiple options.
◉ Acting Decisively. Answer: Identify Enemy Critical Vulnerabilities
Shape the battlefield to our advantage
