text: Chapter 7
  (cid:122) Reposition forces, shorten lines of communication, or conform to movements of other friendly
  units.
  (cid:122) Secure terrain that is more favorable.
  SECTION VI – TRANSITION
  7-192. Transitions between tasks during decisive action whether anticipated or unanticipated require
  adaptability as the BCT commander copes with changes in the operational environment. During transition
  and operating with mission orders, subordinate leaders take disciplined initiative within the commander’s
  intent, bounded by the Army Ethic. The commander considers the concurrent conduct of each task—
  offensive,defensive,and stability—in every phase and ongoing operation. Transition between tasks during
  decisive action require careful assessment,prior planning,and unit preparation as the commander shifts the
  combinations of offensive,defensive,and stability operations.
  7-193. The BCT commander halts the defense only when the operation accomplishes the desired end state,
  reaches a culminating point or receives a change of mission from higher headquarters. Transitions mark a
  change of focus between phases or between the ongoing operation and execution of a branch or sequel. In
  the defense, the BCT and subordinate units often transition from one phase of the operation to another
  sequentially or simultaneously. In decisive action,it is common for subordinate units of the BCT to transition
  to the offense and operations focused on stability,while maintaining the defense with other subordinate units.
  7-194. The commander deliberately plans for sequential operations, assisting the transition process and
  allowing the setting of the conditions necessary for a successful transition. Such planning addresses the need
  to control the tempo of operations,maintain contact with both enemy and friendly forces,and keep the enemy
  off balance. The BCT establishes the required organization of forces and control measures based on the
  mission variables of METT-TC.
  7-195. Prior contingency planning decreases the time needed to adjust the tempo of combat operations when
  a unit transitions from the defense to the offense or operations focused on stability. It does this by allowing
  subordinate units to simultaneously plan and prepare for subsequentoperations.
  TRANSITION TO THE CONDUCT OF OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS
  7-196. The BCT or higher commander may order an attack, a movement to contact, or participate in an
  exploitation and subsequent pursuit if conditions are suitable. The commander transitions to the offense as
  soon as possible to attack the enemy when it is most vulnerable. The commander does not want to give the
  enemy time to prepare.
  7-197. A defending commander transitioning to the offense anticipates when and where the enemy force
  will reach its culminating point or when it will require an operational pause before it can continue. At those
  moments,the combat power ratios most likely favor the defending force. The actions which may indicate the
  enemy has reached its culminating point include transitioning to the defense, heavy losses, lack of
  sustainment to continue the mission,unexpected success of friendly operations,increased enemy prisoners
  of war,and a lack of coherence and reduced combat power in the enemy’s attacks.
  7-198. The BCT commander must be careful not to be the target of enemy information activities designed
  to encourage the commander to abandon the advantages of fighting from prepared defensive positions. The
  commander ensures the force has the assets necessary to complete its assigned offensive mission. The
  commander should not wait too long to transition from the defense to the offense as the enemy force
  approaches its culminating point. The BCT must disperse, extend in-depth, and weaken enemy forces. At
  that time,any enemy defensive preparations will be hasty and enemy forces will not be adequately disposed
  to defend. The BCT commander wants the enemy in this posture when the force transitions to the offense.
  The commander does not want to give the enemy force time to prepare the defense. Additionally, the
  psychological shock on enemy soldiers will be greater if they suddenly find themselves desperately defending
  on new and often unfavorable terms,while the commander’s own Soldiers will enjoy a psychological boost
  by going on the offense.