text: Chapter 3
  Figure 3-1. Decisive action
  OFFENSE
  3-22. An offensive operation is an operation to defeat and destroy enemy forces and gain control of terrain,
  resources, and population centers (ADP 3-0). Offensive operations impose the will of the commander on the
  enemy. The offense is the most direct means of seizing, retaining, and exploiting the initiative to gain a
  physical and psychological advantage. In the offense, the decisive operation is a sudden action directed
  toward enemy weaknesses, which capitalizes on speed, surprise, and shock. If that operation fails to destroy
  the enemy, operations continue until enemy forces are defeated. Executing offensive operations compels the
  enemy to react, which creates new or larger weaknesses the attacking force can then exploit.
  Note: ADP 3-90 provides a detailed outline of offensive operations.
  3-23. During offensive operations, the primary focus is defeat or destroy enemy forces and gain control of
  terrain. During these operations, CA forces must also plan for civil considerations and threats within the civil
  component. The full capability of the CA force is essential to and manifests in the conduct of successful
  offensive operations at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels. CAO support to offense includes the
  execution of all four CA core competencies and continuous analysis of the civil component—in terms of both
  operational and mission variables—by CAO staff elements. Critical tasks executed by CA forces in support
  to offense include—
  * Providing employment options for CA capabilities.
  * Gaining civil information and developing civil networks through CND, CR and CE.
  * Collecting civil information to—
  Develop and maintain the civil component of the common operational picture of the commander.
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  Enhance and enable freedom of movement and maneuver.
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  Enhance and enable preservation of combat power.
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  Enable the isolation of enemy forces.
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  Enable the legitimacy of the U.S. mission.
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  * Providing civil component analysis and evaluation toward the identification of—
  Irregular threats.
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  Centers of gravity.
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  Decisive points.
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