text: Chapter 6
  which may necessitate designating one or more MSRs to handle the dispersion. Sustainment operators remain
  prepared to move their sustainment assets forward and move them more often than in an attack.
  6-29. Selecting a flexible MSR is critical because sustainment units must respond to changes in the direction
  of the exploitation. Engineers have responsibility for MSR maintenance. During planning, commanders
  address the control of sustainment unit positioning and convoys. The tactical commander calls supporting as
  well as organic sustainment units forward and redirects them as needed. Units may have to plan for guides
  to assist the movement of these sustainment assets around bypassed enemy positions and obstacles.
  Commanders may assign elements from the reserve to conduct support area security to help protect
  sustainment and other supporting elements or to secure their MSRs. They plan for controlling dislocated
  civilians on the battlefield so that their presence does not interfere with follow-on maneuver and support
  assets.
  6-30. Units plan situational obstacles for each phase of the operation. For example, commanders direct the
  emplacement of scatterable minefields to deny enemy counterattacking forces specific avenues of approach.
  PREPARING AN EXPLOITATION
  6-31. The preparations for the conduct of an exploitation are the same as those for an attack. See paragraphs
  5-32 through 5-46 for additional information on preparing for an attack.
  EXECUTING AN EXPLOITATION
  6-32. An exploitation may be initiated through orders or when reaching prescribed objectives or phase lines.
  Units weigh the risk when conducting exploitations for limited visibility, fatigue, inclement weather,
  fratricide, and the exhaustion from extended operations. An exploitation typically requires reconnaissance,
  firepower, and maneuver of previously uncommitted units. Units support exploiting forces with tactical air
  support, attack aviation, artillery fires, and other fires assets. Units participating in an exploitation apply the
  doctrine, tactics, techniques, and procedures appropriate for a unit of their size conducting a movement to
  contact and an attack.
  6-33. To maintain sufficient forces to conduct exploitation, commanders ensure that subordinates focus on
  the commander’s intent. Subordinate commands should not dissipate their combat power by seeking minor
  tactical successes or becoming fixed by engaging enemy forces smaller than those in the bypass criteria. They
  strive to reach their assigned objective with the maximum possible strength as rapidly as possible.
  6-34. A transition from attack to exploitation may be hard to distinguish. An abrupt transition may occur
  when a force uses large numbers of precision munitions, achieves surprise, or overwhelms a much weaker
  enemy force. Normally, commanders order an exploitation after their force seizes or secures its objective.
  With adequate support, they can launch an exploitation with the initial assault or at any time after that,
  depending on the effects of the fires and their guidance.
  6-35. Since an exploitation takes advantage of previous success, forces previously allocated to attack enemy
  forces normally continue their ongoing activities. These activities include—
  * Attrition or defeat of enemy reserves before their commitment.
  * Destruction of enemy countermobility assets before their employment on a friendly axis of
  advance for the exploiting force.
  * Disruption of enemy units attempting to reestablish a coherent defense.
  * Disruption of enemy sustaining operations.
  An exploitation assumes units have timely, relevant, and accurate intelligence to target these enemy actions.