text: Foundations of Engineer Operations
  Because the available force-tailored engineer units are designed for specific tasks, engineering
  capabilities must be dynamically shifted within the AO to match the requirements with the capabilities of
  engineer units. Transitions occur at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels; and flexibility in the task
  organization permits the shifting of engineering capabilities.
  Control measures are essential tools designed to help engineers accomplish the mission. One such
  control measure is the engineer work line, which is a graphic control measure used to designate areas of work
  responsibility for subordinate engineer organizations. An engineer work line is a coordinated boundary or
  phase line used to compartmentalize an area of operations to indicate where specific engineer units
  have primary responsibility for the engineer effort. The engineer work line may be used at the division
  level to discriminate between an AO supported by division engineer assets, and an AO supported by direct
  or general support corps engineer units. See ATP 3-34.40 for additional information on general engineering
  operations.
  Whether a subordinate or supporting unit, engineer unit commanders must understand and exercise the
  mission command approach of C2. (See ADP 6-0 for additional information about C2.) Organic units
  operating within assigned BCTs operate within that structure as a matter of routine. However, the augmenting
  units face challenges by quickly task-organizing and integrating into the receiving unit. Similarly, as units
  and headquarters elements are allocated to division, corps, and theater armies, those unit commanders and
  staffs must integrate within the receiving headquarters. The engineer headquarters provides control of
  ongoing engineer operations, to include monitoring engineer forces and assets, mitigating explosive hazards,
  coordinating engineer reconnaissance, and providing geospatial support through GI&S. This adds depth to
  the engineer staff capabilities within the supported or gaining headquarters. Similarly, task-organized units
  face challenges in quickly integrating into the distinct character of the new unit that they have been task-
  organized to support. A thorough understanding of, and practice with, the C2 warfighting function and the
  operations process that it drives enables the flexibility necessary for engineer forces to integrate into
  supported units. In unique cases where an engineer headquarters serves as the foundation around which a
  task force or JTF is formed (a disaster relief operation), it is critical for the C2 warfighting function and the
  operations process it drives to adhere closely to the ideal described in Army and applicable joint doctrine.
  Finding ways to accomplish the mission with an appropriate mix of lethal and nonlethal actions is a
  paramount consideration for every Army commander. Through synchronization, commanders mass the lethal
  and nonlethal effects of combat power at the decisive place and time to overwhelm an enemy or dominate
  the situation. Engineer leaders and staff planners at each echelon play a pivotal role in ensuring the
  synchronization of a variety of engineering capabilities that are available to conduct or support unified land
  operations.
  MOVEMENT AND MANEUVER
  The movement and maneuver warfighting function is the related tasks and systems that move forces to
  achieve a position of advantage in relation to the enemy and other threats (ADP 3-0). Engineers support the
  movement and maneuver warfighting function by performing tasks associated with geospatial engineering,
  engineer reconnaissance, and M/CM/S. The three engineer disciplines support the movement and maneuver
  warfighting function. Combat engineer support applied through the movement and maneuver warfighting
  function is focused on assured mobility because combat engineers are trained and equipped to support forces
  in close combat. A BCT organic engineer unit shapes the battlefield to support early-entry operations with
  mobility and countermobility tasks, which enables initial lodgments and further expands lodgments to enable
  force projection.
  Performing as Combat Engineers
  Operating in close combat support to maneuver forces requires combat engineer units to be able to
  integrate and coordinate actions with the fire, movement, or other actions of combat forces. To do that,
  combat engineer units must be organized, manned, equipped, and trained differently than general engineer
  units that are not optimized to operate in combat conditions. For example, combat engineer units are
  organized similarly to infantry squads and platoons, manned with additional medical personnel, equipped
  with specific weapons and vehicles, and trained with supported close combat force. These requirements limit
  the ability of combat engineer units to perform many tasks to the same standard as general engineering units.