The Infantry rifle platoon conducts defensive operations to defeat enemy attacks, gain time, control key terrain, protect critical infrastructure, secure the population, and economize forces. Most importantly, the platoon sets conditions to transition to the offense. Defensive operations alone are not decisive unless combined with offensive operations to surprise the enemy, attack enemy weaknesses, and pursue or exploit enemy vulnerabilities. Even within the conduct of the Infantry rifle company defense, the Infantry rifle platoon exploits opportunities to conduct offensive actions within its area of operations (AO) to deprive the enemy of the initiative and create the conditions to assume the offense. Other reasons for conducting defensive operations include, retain decisive terrain, or deny a vital area to the enemy, attrition or fix the enemy as a prelude to the offense, counter surprise action by the enemy, or to increase the enemy’s vulnerability by forcing the enemy commander to concentrate subordinate forces. This chapter covers the conduct of the defense, common defensive planning considerations, types of defensive operations, engagement area development, and fighting position construction.
- Section 1 – Conduct of the Defense
- Section 2 – Common Defensive Planning Considerations
- Section 3 – Area Defense
- Section 4 – Retrograde
- Section 5 – Engagement Area
- Section 6 – Fighting Position Construction
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