text: Chapter 1
  operation incorporates some form of fixing an enemy force. For example, in an area defense friendly forces
  seek to fix enemy forces within engagement areas tied into obstacles to destroy them. In the attack, friendly
  forces fix an enemy while another force finishes the enemy by massing overwhelming combat power.
  Finish the Enemy
  1-37. While the enemy is fixed, friendly forces maintain momentum and mass overwhelming combat power
  to assault an objective to destroy enemy forces. An assault is a short and violent well-ordered attack
  against a local objective. Assaults occur at all tactical echelons. They can range from a squad assaulting a
  single gun emplacement to a brigade assaulting an enemy strong point. An assault ends when enemy forces
  are destroyed or have capitulated to friendly forces. Finishing the enemy requires aggressive application of
  combat power and small unit battle drills supported by all the forms of contact. The main effort of an
  operation finishes the enemy.
  Follow Through
  1-38. Once an enemy is finished, actions by friendly forces are not complete. Small remaining elements of
  the enemy may require friendly forces to destroy them in detail. If all enemy forces are not neutralized,
  friendly forces maintain constant pressure to keep them off balance while capitalizing on successful tactical
  actions.
  1-39. Follow through includes more than destroying remaining enemy forces. It also includes consolidating
  and reorganizing activities and executing transitions. These actions aid in posturing friendly forces for future
  operations.
  1-40. Besides just consolidating and reorganizing friendly forces also execute a wide variety of activities
  such as casualty evacuation, detainee operations, and sustainment operations. To maintain momentum and
  tempo units account for these activities within their concept of operations. However, extensive consolidation
  or reorganization activities may result in a unit’s culmination and require a transition.
  1-41. Transitions occur for a variety of reasons and are not just the result of a unit culminating or a temporary
  setback. They are a deliberate part of progress towards mission accomplishment, such as changing the phase
  of an operation or shifting from offensive operations to stability operations. Transitions can be difficult,
  particularly if they are unanticipated. During planning units identify potential transition points to reduce the
  increased friction inherent in transitions and maintain an accurate common operational picture to assess the
  progress of operations.
  1-42. Offensive or defensive operations will likely continue unless all enemy forces are destroyed or
  capitulate. If this is the case, execution of follow through resets the cycle and units begin to find the enemy
  again. If finishing the enemy results in their total destruction or defeat and the cessation of offensive or
  defensive operations, friendly forces will likely transition to stability operations.
  Battle Drill
  1-43. In addition to accomplishing the mission, every plan contains options for exploiting success or any
  advantages that may arise. Units exploit success by aggressively executing their plans, promoting subordinate
  leader initiative, and rapidly executing battle drills.
  1-44. A battle drill is rehearsed and well understood actions made in response to common battlefield
  occurrences (ADP 3-90). Battle drills are the actions of individual Soldiers and small units, typically when
  they meet the enemy. They require minimal leader orders to accomplish and are initiated on a cue, such as
  an enemy action or a leader’s order, and are a trained response to that cue. Battle drills are designed to be
  quickly executed without the application of a deliberate decision-making process. Examples include “react
  to indirect fire” or “vehicle recovery.” Although battle drills are commonly initiated when enemy contact is
  made during close combat, they can also occur within command posts when a specific type of information is
  received and action needs to be taken to support those units in contact. Leaders develop or use battle drills
  specific to their capabilities and operations to assist subordinates in execution of common instances during
  all operations.