text: Chapter 4
  ORGANIZATION OF FORCES FOR A MOVEMENT TO CONTACT
  4-5. At a minimum, a movement to contact is organized with forward security forces—either a covering
  force or an advance guard—and a main body. The reserve, fires, engineer, and sustainment assets are included
  in the main body. Based on the mission variables, commanders may increase their unit’s security by
  resourcing an offensive covering force and an advance guard for each column, as well as flank and rear
  security. Figure 4-1 depicts a generic organization of forces for a movement to contact.
  Figure 4-1. Organization of forces for a movement to contact
  4-6. Initiating a movement to contact requires units to be out of contact with the enemy main body.
  However, units may have enough information to target enemy reconnaissance assets, uncommitted forces,
  reserves, or sustaining operations activities. Commanders normally designate forces, such as long-range
  artillery systems and fixed-wing aircraft to engage known enemy elements within their assigned area. The
  forward security element is critical to the protection of the main body and enables units to make contact on
  their terms.
  FORWARD SECURITY FORCES
  4-7. Units conducting a movement to contact can organize their security force as an advance guard force, a
  covering force, or both. This provides the main body with early warning, protects the movement of the main
  body, and develops the situation before committing the main body. A guard force is a force that contains
  sufficient combat power to defeat, cause the withdrawal of, or fix the lead elements of an enemy ground force
  before it can engage the main body with direct fire. A covering force is a self-contained force capable of
  operating independently of the main body, unlike a guard force to conduct the cover task. This covering force
  accomplishes the same effect as a guard and reports directly to the establishing commander.
  4-8. Each element of the force synchronizes its actions with adjacent and supporting units, maintaining
  contact and coordination as prescribed in orders and unit SOPs. The lead elements of the main body maintain
  contact with the security force. The rear and flank security elements maintain contact with and orient on the
  main body’s movement. These security forces prevent unnecessary delay in the movement and premature