text: Exploitation
  FOLLOW THROUGH
  6-48. Once the exploitation begins, friendly forces quickly move to attack enemy forces. The exploitation
  continues so enemy forces cannot escape. The exploiting force retains terrain only as necessary to accomplish
  its mission. Commanders are careful not to dissipate combat power to achieve minor tactical successes or to
  reduce small enemy forces. They shift operations to reconnaissance and surveillance, countermobility, and
  protection tasks because of the possibility of an enemy counterattack once their exploiting forces reach their
  respective objectives.
  6-49. During an exploitation, units often surround or bypass enemy forces. Surrender appeals and ultimatums
  are particularly effective when directed against surrounded, isolated, or bypassed enemy units. While the
  exploiting force conducts its operations, the follow and support force, if available—
  * Widens or secures the flanks.
  * Destroys bypassed enemy units.
  * Relieves supported units that have halted to contain enemy forces.
  * Blocks the movement of enemy reinforcements.
  * Opens and secures LOCs.
  * Guards prisoners, key areas, seized enemy bases and installations, and routes.
  * Controls dislocated civilians.
  * Secures key terrain.
  * Secures potential threats (abandoned enemy equipment, weapons, ordnance, explosives, and toxic
  information materials including chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear).
  6-50. At some point, units conducting exploitation either reach their culminating point or transition to a
  pursuit. Culmination can occur for various reasons, such as friendly losses or the enemy’s commitment of a
  reserve. Units transition to another type of operation once they make an assessment that their force is
  approaching culmination. For example, a pursuit enables units to complete the enemy force’s destruction.