text: Chapter 3
  3-11. Table 3-2 illustrates some of the common control measures used during offensive operations.
  Additionally, paragraphs A-6 through A-61 define and discuss common offensive control measures used to
  synchronize the effects of combat power. Units use the minimum control measures required to complete their
  missions while providing subordinates the flexibility needed to respond to changes in the situation while
  preventing fratricide.
  Table 3-2. Common offensive control measures
  Common offensive control measures
  Assault positions Checkpoints Probable line of contact
  Assault time Direction of attack Probable line of deployment
  Assembly areas Final coordination line Objectives
  Attack by fire positions Limit of advance Objective rally point
  Attack position Line of departure Support by fire position
  Axis of advance Phase lines Time of attack
  Battle handover line Point of departure Zone
  3-12. Line of sight overlays help protect the force by identifying intervisibility lines, where units cannot
  make visual and direct fire contact. An enemy force will have difficulty engaging friendly forces with direct
  fire weapons without line of sight. Situation templates also help protect the force. If units know how fast an
  enemy force can respond to their actions, they can sequence operations so they occur at times and places
  where an enemy force cannot respond effectively. Units calculate enemy response times by determining
  enemy artillery range fans, movement times between enemy reserve assembly area locations and advancing
  friendly forces, and other related intelligence items.
  COMMAND AND CONTROL WARFIGHTING FUNCTION
  3-13. Synchronizing the six warfighting functions through planning and preparation increases a unit’s
  effectiveness when executing operations. However, the fluid nature of combat requires leaders to orchestrate
  the actions of subordinates during the execution phase. Leaders determine where they can best affect the flow
  of operations and influence critical events by redirecting the effects of committed forces, changing priorities
  of support, or employing echelon reserves. This redirection normally means that units are well forward in the
  echelon’s formation, usually with the force designated to conduct the main effort or at a location where a key
  decision or task must be accomplished to enable the success of the main effort. Examples of key tasks or
  decisions can include the execution of a forward passage of lines or a wet-gap crossing. Once the unit
  conducting the main effort makes contact with the enemy, friendly forces quickly move to where they best
  can assess the situation and direct the continuation of offensive operations.
  3-14. At battalion and above, units anticipate requirements to shift the main effort during an offense to press
  the battle and keep enemy forces off balance. They develop decision points to support these changes using
  both human and technical means to validate decision points.
  3-15. In addition to assigning objectives and identifying decision points, leaders at all echelons consider how
  to exploit advantages that arise during operations and the seizure of intermediate and final objectives. Leaders
  exploit success by aggressively executing the plan, taking advantage of subordinate initiative, and employing
  trained units capable of rapidly executing standard drills. The echelon reserve also provides a flexible
  capability to exploit unforeseen advantages.
  3-16. Units maintain communications and comprehensive throughput of information among all units
  throughout the offense. They plan how to position and reposition command and control systems to help
  control operations. Units plan how to expand the communications coverage to accommodate increased
  distances and enemy efforts to deny friendly communications systems as the unit advances. Units provide
  for redundant communication means.
  3-17. A unit maintains its common operating picture throughout an operation. For a common operating
  picture to aid a unit in maintaining situational awareness, the unit requires timely and frequent updates of
  relevant information. All echelons report information on the disposition and activities of friendly and enemy
  forces.