text: Chapter 11
  11-84. Commanders conducting a withdrawal without enemy pressure can plan when to begin the
  withdrawal. They have the option of taking risks to increase the displacement capabilities of the withdrawing
  force. For example, commanders may order their main bodies to conduct tactical road marches instead of
  moving in tactical formations. They can plan for stay-behind forces as part of their operations.
  11-85. A withdrawing force can receive assistance from another force in the form of—
  * Additional security for the area through which the withdrawing force will pass.
  * Information concerning withdrawal routes.
  * Forces to secure choke points or key terrain along withdrawal routes.
  * Elements to assist in movement control, such as military police to conduct traffic control points.
  * Required maneuver and functional and multifunctional support and sustainment, which can
  involve conducting a counterattack to assist the withdrawing unit in disengaging from enemy
  forces.
  Preparing for a Withdrawal
  11-86. Before withdrawing, the main body dispatches quartering parties to help it occupy the new position.
  In an unassisted withdrawal, the withdrawing unit establishes its own security force and reserve. It
  reconnoiters and secures the routes it uses for its rearward movement while sustaining itself during the
  withdrawal. The withdrawing unit must disengage from enemy forces.
  11-87. Concealing supplies along movement routes can simplify support requirements and reduce the
  enemy force’s ability to interfere with logistics operations. This allows sustainment units to withdraw earlier
  than they otherwise could. Commanders carefully consider whether to place supplies in caches. Once cached,
  supplies are difficult to recover if an operation does not go as planned. Other than medical items, a
  withdrawing unit evacuates or destroys all supplies that it cannot evacuate to prevent their capture.
  Commanders establish destruction criteria for each class of supply by both time and event.
  Executing a Withdrawal
  11-88. Typically, when under enemy pressure, the force facing the least amount of contact withdraws first.
  The more heavily engaged forces generally withdraw supported by indirect fires and a security force, if
  available. Withdrawing forces take advantage of obstacles to assist in breaking contact with the enemy force.
  They conduct night movements and use obscuration to screen friendly movement reducing the accuracy of
  enemy direct and indirect fires and enemy observations of friendly movements. The security force continues
  to use alternate and subsequent positions until the entire friendly force breaks contact with the enemy force.
  11-89. The security force may remain in position as part of tactical deception. The main body moves
  rearward to intermediate or final positions as rapidly as possible. After the main body withdraws to a safe
  distance, the security force begins its rearward movement. Once the security force begins moving, it assumes
  the duties of a rear guard. Even if the enemy force does not pursue the withdrawing force, the security force
  continues to act as the rear guard unless commanders assign that mission to another element. However, if not
  pursued by the enemy force, the security force may remain in a march column.
  11-90. The main body moves rapidly on multiple routes to reconnoitered positions. It may occupy a series
  of intermediate positions before completing the withdrawal. Usually functional and multifunctional support
  units and their convoy escorts, move first, and precede combat units in the withdrawal. Commanders ensure
  the disciplined use of routes during a withdrawal, despite confusion and enemy pressure.
  11-91. When the main body withdraws, its reserve remains well forward to assist the security force and
  other units by employing supporting direct and indirect fires and counterattacks. The reserve can launch
  spoiling attacks to disorganize and delay the enemy force and extricate encircled or heavily engaged forces.
  11-92. If the security force and the reserve cannot prevent the enemy force from closing on the main body,
  commanders commit some or all of the main body to prevent the enemy force from further interfering with
  the withdrawal. If the security force fails to slow the enemy force, the main body delays or defends. In this
  event, the withdrawal resumes at the earliest possible time. If the enemy force blocks movement to the rear,
  commanders can direct their units to alternate routes to bypass the enemy force. Alternatively, the
  withdrawing force can attack through the enemy force.