Previous: Section V: Transitions
4-98. During stability operations, there may be instances where units must transition quickly back to the offense against irregular forces or defense to defeat counterattacks.
4-99. Under unified land operations, forces conduct simultaneous offensive, defensive, and stability tasks. Offensive and defensive tasks focus on defeating enemy forces. Stability tasks focus on the establishment of a safe and secure environment to facilitate the transition of responsibility to a legitimate civil authority.
4-100. Security components of an operation, including area security, pertain to actions taken to protect the force. They are associated with the offense and defense. Civil security and civil control are stability tasks. Army leaders expect a mission of protecting and providing security for a population to be expressed in terms of civil security or civil control.
Next: 4-101: Transition to the Defense
Go Back To: U.S. Army FM 3-21.8: The Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad