text: Chapter 13
  on terrain advantages or disadvantages to both the enemy and friendly forces for the performance of offensive
  or defensive operations. Stationary security forces use combinations of observation posts, aviation elements,
  patrols, and information collection assets to perform reconnaissance. Moving security forces perform area,
  route, or zone reconnaissance as well as using observation posts to detect enemy movements and
  preparations.
  Maintain Enemy Contact
  13-17. Once security forces make enemy contact, they do not break contact unless specifically directed by
  their main body commander. However, the first security asset that makes contact does not have to maintain
  contact if the entire security force maintains contact with the enemy force. The security force ensures that
  their subordinate security assets handover contact with the enemy force from one asset to another. Security
  forces continuously collect information on the enemy force’s activities to assist their main body in
  determining potential and actual enemy COAs, thus preventing those enemy forces from surprising their
  main bodies. Maintaining continuous visual contact allows security forces freedom of maneuver and
  flexibility to use direct or indirect fires on enemy forces. These considerations require security forces to have
  depth in space and time to maneuver.
  COMMANDER’S SECURITY GUIDANCE
  13-18. During security operations, it is important for the ground elements conducting security operations to
  understand the commander’s intent in a clear and concise manner so that they can accomplish the stated
  objectives within the required timeframe. The commander provides the guidance through dialogue
  throughout mission planning and the final operation order. The security guidance has three sections: focus,
  duration, and engagement and disengagement criteria. Paragraphs 13-19 through 13-22 outline the contents
  of the commander’s security guidance. (See FM 3-98 for more information on commander’s security
  guidance.)
  Focus
  13-19. Commanders focus their forces by identifying a security objective in support of the force, area, or
  facility being protected. Security objective is the most important entity to protect during that specific
  security effort. Commanders and leaders of units conducting security operations should anticipate the focus
  to change throughout the phases in an operation as the security objective may change to enable the execution
  of current and future operations. A security objective can range from creating time to allow forces to establish
  a defense to forcing an enemy force to travel down an avenue of approach. Furthermore, units use their
  security objective to guide them in setting priorities when they lack time to complete all the tasks associated
  with performing a specific type of security operation. Units conducting security operations need to establish,
  clarify, and prioritize security tasks that enable the security objective to remain protected.
  Duration
  13-20. The second section of a commander’s security guidance covers duration. A duration can be either
  short or long. Short duration security operations will last no longer than 12 hours. Units usually use these
  security operations to take advantage of time available and to maximize the massing of reconnaissance assets
  through observation posts and other observing capabilities. Long duration security operations will last 12
  hours or longer. The number of observation posts and capabilities will be less than short duration due to the
  number of personnel and support needed to continuously enable the operation. The smaller number of
  observation posts is due to implementing a rest cycle to ensure that dismounted Soldiers in the observation
  posts stay focused when in position.
  Engagement and Disengagement Criteria
  13-21. Commanders must clearly define the size or type of enemy force they want their subordinate
  elements to engage or avoid. The commander ensures that subordinate leaders understand this in order to
  avoid becoming decisively engaged which prevents the unit from continuing security operations.