text: Chapter 6
  INFILTRATION
  6-106. An infiltration is a form of maneuver in which an attacking force conducts undetected movement
  through or into an area occupied by enemy forces to occupy a position of advantage behind those enemy
  positions while exposing only small elements to enemy defensive fires (FM 3-90-1). Infiltration occurs by
  land, water, air, or a combination of means. Moving undetected by enemy forces is paramount to success.
  Moving and assembling forces covertly through enemy positions takes a considerable amount of time. Limits
  on the size and strength of an infiltrating force mean that the force can rarely defeat an enemy force alone.
  The commander uses infiltration to—
  (cid:122) Support other forms of maneuver.
  (cid:122) Attack lightly defended positions or stronger positions from the flank and rear.
  (cid:122) Secure key terrain in support of the decisive operation.
  (cid:122) Disrupt or harass enemy defensive preparations or operations.
  (cid:122) Relocate maneuver units by moving to battle positions around an EA.
  (cid:122) Reposition to attack vital facilities or enemy forces from the flank or rear.
  6-107. The infiltrating force’s size, strength, and composition are limited usually. The infiltrating unit
  commander organizes the main body into one or more infiltrating elements. The largest element that is
  compatible with the requirement for stealth and ease of movement conducts the infiltration. This increases
  the commander’s control, speeds the execution of the infiltration, and provides responsive combat power.
  The exact size and number of infiltrating elements are situation dependent. The commander with the
  responsibility for the infiltration considers the following factors when determining how to organize friendly
  forces. Smaller infiltrating elements are not as easy to detect and can get through smaller defensive gaps.
  Even the detection of one or two small elements by the enemy does not prevent theunit from accomplishing
  its mission in most cases. Larger infiltrating elements are easier to detect,and their discovery is more apt to
  endanger the success of the mission. In addition, larger elements require larger gaps to move through as
  opposed to smaller elements. A unit with many smaller infiltrating elements requires more time to complete
  the infiltration and needs more linkup points than a similar size unit that has only a few infiltrating elements.
  Many infiltrating elements are harder to controlthan fewer,larger elements. The commander may establish
  security forces that move ahead of,to the flanks of,and/or to the rear of each infiltrating element’s main body
  to provide early warning,reaction time,and maneuver space. The sizes and orientations of security elements
  are situation dependent. Each infiltrating element is responsible for its own reconnaissance effort,if required.
  Sustainment of an infiltrating force normally depends on the force’s basic load of supplies and medical and
  maintenance assets accompanying the infiltrating force. After completing the mission, the commander
  reopens lines of communication to conduct normal sustainment operations.
  6-108. The commander responsible for the infiltration establishes routes and boundaries to designate the
  area of operations for the unit(s) conducting the infiltration.(See figure 6-6.)The commander also designates
  additional control measures as necessary to synchronize the operations of subordinates. Additional control
  measures include one or more infiltration lanes,a line of departure or points of departure,movement routes,
  linkup or rally points, objective rally point (known as ORP), assault positions, objectives, and a limit of
  advance. (See ATP3-21.10 for a detailed discussion of infiltration missions and special purpose attacks.)