TBS PHASE 3 TEST PAPER QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
MARKED A+
✔✔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
How will the platoon provide local security during all aspects of the defense: Upon
Occupation, LP/OP and patrolling efforts, when 'Stand-to' will be conducted, etc.
✔✔Be able to define defense in depth; explain multiple ways in which we can achieve
defense in depth - ✔✔Defense in depth is the positioning of mutually supporting
defensive positions throughout the defensive battle-space to absorb and progressively
weaken an enemy attack. It provides maneuver space within the defensive area for the
maneuver of subordinate units against the enemy's main effort.
Achieved by:
Engaging the enemy at the earliest opportunity with patrols and LP/OPs.
Employing weapons at maximum effective range.
Using blocking positions, obstacles, and supplementary positions throughout the
engagement area.
Planning for decisive use of the least engaged unit and fire support units at the decisive
moment in the engagement
✔✔Know differences between types of BPs and how to graphically depict them -
✔✔Primary (solid line)
The best place to accomplish the assigned mission--focused on the enemy's most likely
avenue of approach.
Alternate (dashed line)
Where a unit can still accomplish its assigned mission, occupied when the primary BP
becomes either untenable or unsuitable.
Supplementary (dashed line)
Allow a unit to address unexpected enemy schemes of maneuver (for example, they
may cover the flank of the primary positions)
Subsequent
, A preplanned position to which a unit expects to move during the course of the
defensive battle
✔✔Know purpose of fire plan sketch - ✔✔-The Fire Plan Sketch is a graphical, to scale,
depiction of the battle position and engagement area
-It verifies that all weapon systems were emplaced correctly so that their fires are de-
conflicted with friendly positions, distributed across the width and depth of the EA, and
massed appropriately
-The platoon commander creates this fire plan sketch off of the squad leader's fire plan
sketch and crew served weapons range cards
-The squad leader creates their fire plan sketch off of the individual fighting positions'
range cards
✔✔Know four methods to control fires in defense - ✔✔-TRPs
Easily recognizable points on the ground (either natural or man-made) used to initiate,
distribute, and control fires. Fire team and squad leaders must all understand their
respective TRPs to ensure proper distribution of fires.
-Trigger Lines
A designated linear feature (selected along identifiable terrain) in an engagement area
used to commence massed fires at a predetermined range. Trigger lines assist in
synchronizing the defensive plan to maximize weapons effects in the engagement area.
Units and weapon systems should understand which trigger line is used to commence
their respective fires. These tactical control measures, both the trigger lines and the
target reference points, may be naturally occurring or they may be marked by the
defender. What matters most is that these tactical control measures are universally
understood and provide a common frame of reference for the defending unit.
-Engagement Criteria
Normally associated with trigger lines or specific enemy elements, engagement criteria
allows Marines to engage enemy targets at the proper time in accordance with the
platoon commander's overall scheme of maneuver. Simplified engagement criteria tells
Marines WHEN to engage. It facilitates decentralized execution and proper
synchronization to maximize weapons effects in the engagement area. This control
measure also assists in concealing friendly assets, such as machine guns, until the
decisive time and place in the defensive scheme of maneuver despite enemy
reconnaissance techniques
-Target Precedence
When engagement criteria is met by multiple targets simultaneously, target precedence
determines the order in which targets should be engaged. Each weapon system is given
target precedence in accordance with its capabilities. Another control measure
facilitating decentralized execution, the platoon co
MARKED A+
✔✔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
How will the platoon provide local security during all aspects of the defense: Upon
Occupation, LP/OP and patrolling efforts, when 'Stand-to' will be conducted, etc.
✔✔Be able to define defense in depth; explain multiple ways in which we can achieve
defense in depth - ✔✔Defense in depth is the positioning of mutually supporting
defensive positions throughout the defensive battle-space to absorb and progressively
weaken an enemy attack. It provides maneuver space within the defensive area for the
maneuver of subordinate units against the enemy's main effort.
Achieved by:
Engaging the enemy at the earliest opportunity with patrols and LP/OPs.
Employing weapons at maximum effective range.
Using blocking positions, obstacles, and supplementary positions throughout the
engagement area.
Planning for decisive use of the least engaged unit and fire support units at the decisive
moment in the engagement
✔✔Know differences between types of BPs and how to graphically depict them -
✔✔Primary (solid line)
The best place to accomplish the assigned mission--focused on the enemy's most likely
avenue of approach.
Alternate (dashed line)
Where a unit can still accomplish its assigned mission, occupied when the primary BP
becomes either untenable or unsuitable.
Supplementary (dashed line)
Allow a unit to address unexpected enemy schemes of maneuver (for example, they
may cover the flank of the primary positions)
Subsequent
, A preplanned position to which a unit expects to move during the course of the
defensive battle
✔✔Know purpose of fire plan sketch - ✔✔-The Fire Plan Sketch is a graphical, to scale,
depiction of the battle position and engagement area
-It verifies that all weapon systems were emplaced correctly so that their fires are de-
conflicted with friendly positions, distributed across the width and depth of the EA, and
massed appropriately
-The platoon commander creates this fire plan sketch off of the squad leader's fire plan
sketch and crew served weapons range cards
-The squad leader creates their fire plan sketch off of the individual fighting positions'
range cards
✔✔Know four methods to control fires in defense - ✔✔-TRPs
Easily recognizable points on the ground (either natural or man-made) used to initiate,
distribute, and control fires. Fire team and squad leaders must all understand their
respective TRPs to ensure proper distribution of fires.
-Trigger Lines
A designated linear feature (selected along identifiable terrain) in an engagement area
used to commence massed fires at a predetermined range. Trigger lines assist in
synchronizing the defensive plan to maximize weapons effects in the engagement area.
Units and weapon systems should understand which trigger line is used to commence
their respective fires. These tactical control measures, both the trigger lines and the
target reference points, may be naturally occurring or they may be marked by the
defender. What matters most is that these tactical control measures are universally
understood and provide a common frame of reference for the defending unit.
-Engagement Criteria
Normally associated with trigger lines or specific enemy elements, engagement criteria
allows Marines to engage enemy targets at the proper time in accordance with the
platoon commander's overall scheme of maneuver. Simplified engagement criteria tells
Marines WHEN to engage. It facilitates decentralized execution and proper
synchronization to maximize weapons effects in the engagement area. This control
measure also assists in concealing friendly assets, such as machine guns, until the
decisive time and place in the defensive scheme of maneuver despite enemy
reconnaissance techniques
-Target Precedence
When engagement criteria is met by multiple targets simultaneously, target precedence
determines the order in which targets should be engaged. Each weapon system is given
target precedence in accordance with its capabilities. Another control measure
facilitating decentralized execution, the platoon co
