text: Chapter 6
  RETROGRADE
  6-3. This type of defensive operation involves organized movement away from the enemy (FM 3-0).
  The enemy may force these operations, or a commander may execute them voluntarily.
  In counterinsurgencies, retrograde operations are generally conducted intentionally after a unit
  is transitioning responsibility of an area of operations to a Host Nation security force or a relief in place
  with another US unit.
  MAJOR COUNTERINSURGENCY OPERATIONS
  6-4. In clear-hold-build operations, defensive operations are foremost in the “hold” phase, although
  operations occur during all three phases. These operations help to establish and maintain civil security
  and civil control, enabling units to set conditions across the seven COIN LOEs. Defensive operations in the
  “hold” phase deal primarily with securing the HN population and isolating insurgents from their support.
  6-5. In strike operations and populace and resource control operations, defensive operations are
  conducted in concert with stability and offensive operations. In strike operations, units conduct defensive
  operations to establish bases where they can conduct offensive operations. In PRC operations, units
  conduct defensive operations to protect the populace and its materiel resources from insurgents, to deny
  insurgents access to the populace and materiel resources and to identify and eliminate the insurgents, their
  organization, their activities, and influence while doing so.
  Section II—CIVIL SECURITY AND CONTROL
  Tactical units conduct most defensive operations under either the establish civil security or establish civil
  control lines of effort. In COIN operations, especially clear-hold-build operations, the most common method
  that tactical units employ to secure the population is the establishment of bases. Units use site selection
  techniques to decide where to put bases and focus security. Certain defensive actions like counter—ambush,
  counter—IED, and counter—sniper clearly contribute to increased civil security or increased civil control
  as they reduce violence against HN and US forces, as well as the HN population. Throughout, units must use
  appropriate protection measures.
  SITE SELECTION
  6-6. Brigades, battalions, and companies routinely possess enormous AOs during counterinsurgencies,
  some as large as US states. Within these large AOs, there can be hundreds or thousands of essential service
  structure, governmental infrastructure, economic assets, population centers, and important leaders that may
  be targets for the insurgency. There are many techniques to conduct security operations at the tactical level.
  Tactical units need a framework to decide how best to secure the HN population, and HN infrastructure.
  6-7. It is not possible to protect every asset and every point. Eventually, the insurgent will attack.
  A primary goal is to protect those vital assets and points to such a degree that, if they are attacked, the
  damage to them is minimal, while the insurgent's losses are heavy. The CARVER-P Vulnerability
  Prioritization Matrix is a method for units to help the HN government in deciding what HN assets
  to protect.
  CARVER-P RISK/VULNERABILITY PRIORITIZATION MATRIX
  6-8. This matrix considers targets within the HN population, government, and infrastructure. It allows
  leaders to identify target vulnerability, determine corresponding risk, and then prioritize security assets.
  The matrix is based on seven criteria represented by the acronym CARVER-P (criticality, accessibility,
  recuperability, vulnerability, effects, recognizability, and psychological impact). This matrix derives from
  the Army risk-assessment process. Figure 6-1 shows an example format of the Carver-P matrix for the
  vulnerability criteria. Figure 6-2 shows an example of the same matrix completed for a power plant.