text: Chapter 18
  Hasty Wet-Gap Crossing
  18-55. The depth and width of the wet gap, bank conditions, and the current velocity are major factors that
  impact the ability of a maneuver unit to conduct a hasty wet-gap crossing. These factors will determine if the
  maneuver force can cross by fording, if expedient materials can be used, or if specific bridging assets are
  required. Identifying wet gaps early and deploying the required resources allow hasty crossings of known or
  anticipated gaps to occur.
  Hasty Dry-Gap Crossing
  18-56. An antivehicle ditch, crater, dry riverbed, partially blown bridge, or similar obstacle is normally
  what maneuver forces encounter as a dry-gap crossing obstacle. Maneuver forces can use equipment to push
  down the sides of ditches or fill in craters. Substantial fill material placed in the dry gaps allows the passage
  of combat tracked vehicles. The crossing site can be improved and maintained for wheeled traffic use by
  follow-on forces.
  In-Stride Gap Crossing
  18-57. The in-stride gap crossing is a variant of the hasty gap (wet or dry) crossing that consists of a rapid
  gap-crossing adaptation conducted by forces organic to (or task-organized with) the attacking force. It
  consists of preplanned, well-trained, and well-rehearsed gap-crossing battle drills and the use of the unit
  SOPs. The in-stride gap crossing takes advantage of surprise and momentum to bridge or defeat gaps and
  relies on good and timely reconnaissance for its success as well. The force uses the in-stride gap crossing
  against weak defenders or very simple gaps and executes the battle drills on the move. Attacking maneuver
  forces generally move configured to be able to execute an in-stride gap crossing, except when a deliberate
  gap crossing is planned. In-stride gap crossings may occur when a gap is not the same as the unit planned or
  anticipated. To conduct an in-stride crossing, the unit must be well trained, have established SOPs, and be
  task-organized with the necessary tactical bridging assets and capabilities.
  18-58. Generally, the battalion is the principal unit to plan, coordinate, and control an in-stride gap crossing;
  but a company will normally conduct the actual crossing. The battalion will normally designate specific
  support forces, and it is responsible for synchronizing the breaching fundamentals as they apply to a gap
  crossing through detailed planning and well-rehearsed immediate action drills. (See paragraph 18-23 for
  breaching fundamentals.)
  18-59. The commander planning for an in-stride gap crossing must also plan for a transition to a deliberate
  gap crossing should an in-stride gap crossing be unsuccessful. An unclear situation (enemy and exact gap
  dimensions and conditions) will make it necessary for several lead company-sized units to be capable of
  conducting an independent gap crossing. Accurate and timely reconnaissance of the gap (obstacle) and the
  enemy force that defend the gap set the conditions for properly focusing the location of the in-stride gap
  crossing.
  Covert Gap Crossing
  18-60. A covert crossing is a planned crossing of an inland water obstacle or other gap in which the crossing
  is intended to be undetected (ATP 3-90.4/MCTP 3-34A). The primary purpose of the covert crossing is to
  facilitate undetected infiltration of the far side of a gap. Battalion and smaller forces normally conduct a
  covert crossing. It is used when surprise is essential to infiltrate over a gap and when limited visibility and
  terrain present the opportunity to reduce or defeat the enemy obstacle (gap) without being seen. Through
  surprise, the commander conceals capabilities and intentions and creates the opportunity to position support
  and assault forces to strike the enemy unaware or unprepared. Like a covert breach, it is normally conducted
  by a battalion or smaller unit (dismounted or in wheeled vehicles). A BCT is typically too large to maintain
  the level of stealth necessary to conduct a successful covert gap crossing. A covert gap crossing requires a
  level of detailed planning, information collection, and command and control that is normally beyond the
  capability of a company.
  18-61. A covert gap crossing can be used in a variety of situations to support various missions but should
  be considered (as opposed to deliberate or hasty) only when there is a need or opportunity to cross a gap
  without being discovered. The covert crossing can be used to cross forces that will support a follow-on