text: Army Tactics
  1-70. Actions on contact are applicable to all types of operations. Figure 1-3 is a graphical depiction of
  actions on contact. They are just as applicable to a squad coming into direct fire contact with an enemy during
  a movement to contact, an armor company observing enemy in the defense, a signal element ambushed by
  the enemy, or a division in the attack. This framework is a way for leaders to quickly determine if things
  are going according to plan and what actions they need to take to either stay on plan or adjust to the new
  situation. Actions on contact are—
  * React.
  * Develop the situation.
  * Choose an action.
  * Execute and report.
  Figure 1-3. Actions on contact
  1-71. No matter what a friendly force is or doing, once they make contact with the enemy, they conduct
  actions on contact. The unit carries out these actions on contact regardless of whether the enemy has detected
  its presence. Actions on contact are not to be confused with the battle drill of “react to contact” which is a
  trained response, requires minimal orders to accomplish, and is initiated by an enemy action. Actions on
  contact can also start with a unit reacting to contact, which simultaneously starts the actions on contact
  process for different echelons.
  1-72. Typically, a unit’s standard operating procedure dictates specific actions, to include battle drills and
  reports, depending on the type of contact. Additionally, the mission variables, commander’s intent and
  guidance, and scheme of maneuver guide the actions individual units take when they make contact with
  enemy forces.
  1-73. Leaders understand that at different echelons, actions on contact requires different amount of time to
  conduct with the biggest discriminator being the time it takes to develop the situation. For companies and
  below, units can quickly develop the situation and choose an action to execute. For battalions and higher, to
  synchronize their echelon properly to a new action, it may need to execute the rapid decision-making and
  synchronization process (known as RDSP) or a hasty military decisionmaking process (MDMP) session.
  Leaders balance the need to conduct their actions on contact with the need to maintain momentum.
  React
  1-74. If the enemy initiates the contact, the element in contact conducts the react to contact battle drill. Any
  unengaged portion monitors the situation and prepares to either support the portion of the unit in contact or
  continue the mission. Simultaneously, the unit in contact reports the contact to their higher headquarters