text: Chapter 7
  7-167. In an area defense, the need for flexibility through movement and maneuver requires the use of
  graphic control measures to assist commandand controlduring the repositioning forces and counterattacks.
  Specified routes,PLs,attack andsupport by fire positions,battle positions,EAs,TRPs,and other fire support
  coordinationmeasures are required to synchronize movement and maneuver.
  7-168. During the defense, the BCT commander must prepare to quickly take advantage of fleeting
  opportunities, seize the initiative, and assume the offense. Although the BCT commander plans for the
  counterattack,the plan may not correspond exactly with the existing situation when the commander launches
  the counterattack. As the situation develops,the commander reassesses the plan based on a revised situational
  understanding that results from an updated COP.
  7-169. Ideally,the commander has a counterattack plan appropriate to the existing situation. When this is
  not the case,the commander must rapidly reorganize and refit selected units,move them to attack positions,
  and attack or the commander must conduct an attack using those units already in contact with the enemy,
  which is normally the least favorable COA.
  Step5,Follow Through
  7-170. Three conditions may result from the initial enemy attack: friendly forces achieve their objectives,
  friendly forces do not achieve their objectives,or both forces are in a stalemate with neither side gaining a
  decisive advantage over the other. A successful area defense allows the commander to transition to an attack.
  An area defense resulting in the defender being overcome by the enemy attack and needing to transition to a
  retrograde operation must consider the current situation in adjacent defensive areas. Only the commander
  who ordered the defense can designate a new forward edge of the battle area or authorize a retrograde
  operation.
  7-171. As the purpose of a defensive action is to retain terrain and create conditions for a counteroffensive
  that regains the initiative. A successful area defense causes the enemy to sustain unacceptable losses short of
  any decisive objectives. During follow through, time is critical. Unless the commander has a large,
  uncommitted reserve prepared to quickly exploit or reverse the situation, the commander must reset the
  defense as well as maintain contact with the enemy. Time is also critical to the enemy to reorganize,establish
  a security area,and fortify positions.
  7-172. The BCT commander plans and conducts a counterattack to attack the enemy when and where the
  enemy is most vulnerable. There is a difference between local counterattacks designed to restore the defense
  and a decisive operation designed to wrest the initiative from the enemy force and then defeat it. To conduct
  a decisive counterattack, the defending force must bring the enemy attack to or past its culminating point
  before it results in an unacceptable level of degradation to the defending force. To do this, the defending
  force must disrupt the enemy’s ability to mass, causing the enemy to disperse its combat power into small
  groups or attrit enemy forces to gain a favorable combat power ratio. The defending force must continue to
  disrupt the enemy’s ability to introduce follow-on forces and attack the defender’s sustainment system. (See
  figure 7-15.) As the objective of the counterattack is reached, the BCT consolidates and continues
  reorganization that is more extensive and begins preparation to resume the offense.