text: Chapter 4
  EXECUTING A MOVEMENT TO CONTACT
  4-27. The commander of the forward security force chooses a movement formation (based on the mission
  variables) and makes contact with the smallest possible force while providing flexibility for maneuver.
  Whatever formation the unit chooses, it must be able to deploy appropriately once it determines an enemy
  force’s location. The unit ensures that the route or axis of advance traveled by the main body is free of enemy
  forces. The main body may move continuously (using traveling and traveling overwatch) or by bounds (using
  bounding overwatch). It moves by bounds when contact with an enemy force is expected and the terrain is
  favorable. The overall commander may position some indirect fire assets, such as a mortar platoon or artillery
  battery and forward observers, with the forward security force. These forward observers can help overwatch
  the forward security force movement while indirect fires focus on suppressing enemy weapons, obscuring
  enemy observation posts, and screening friendly movement.
  4-28. Behind the forward security force, the main body advances over multiple parallel routes with numerous
  lateral branches to remain flexible and reduce the time needed to initiate maneuver. (While it is preferred for
  a battalion to use multiple routes, battalions and smaller units can move on a singular route.) In a movement
  to contact, the main body’s march disposition must allow maximum flexibility for maneuvering during
  movement and when establishing contact with an enemy force.
  4-29. The main body keeps enough distance between itself and its forward security force to maintain
  flexibility for maneuver. This distance varies with the echelon of command, the terrain, and the availability
  of information about enemy forces. The main body may execute a tactical movement for all or part of the
  movement to contact to use the available road network efficiently or reduce the time needed to move from
  one location to another. Command posts and supply trains seek routes that allow them to remain responsive
  throughout an assigned area and occupy hasty positions as necessary.
  4-30. Fire support systems should focus on suppression missions to disrupt enemy forward security elements
  as they make contact and focus on obscuration of enemy forces missions or screen exposed friendly forces
  when conducting a movement to contact. They schedule synchronized movements of fire support systems
  with the movement of the rest of the force. Fire support systems that cannot match the cross-country mobility
  of ground maneuver units may cause them to slow their rate of advance. If these units do not slow down, they
  run the risk of outrunning their fire support. Units synchronize the employment of close air support to prevent
  enemy forces from regaining balance while ground fire support assets are repositioning. The main body
  updates the high-payoff target list during a movement to contact operation as necessary.
  4-31. Similar considerations apply to air and missile defense when enemy forces possess these capabilities.
  A unit conducting a movement to contact remains aware of the air and missile defense umbrella provided by
  radars, air defense systems, and the joint combat air patrol.
  4-32. The unit’s tempo, momentum, tactical dispersal, and attention to electromagnetic emission control
  complicate an enemy force’s ability to detect and target the main body prior to making contact. Once a
  friendly force makes contact and masses against detected enemy forces, it becomes vulnerable to strikes by
  enemy conventional weapons and weapons of mass destruction. A friendly force must mass effects rapidly
  in a meeting engagement and disperse again as soon as it overcomes resistance to avoid enemy
  counteractions.
  4-33. Movement should be as rapid as the terrain, the mobility of the force, and the enemy situation permits.
  Open terrain provides maneuver space on either side of the line of march and facilitates high-speed
  movement. It also allows for greater dispersal and usually permits more separation between forward security
  elements and the main body than restricted terrain allows. Units should never commit their main bodies to
  canalizing terrain before forward security elements have ensured the main bodies can maintain freedom of
  movement within that terrain. Enemy forces may have established fire support control measures that allow
  enemy forces to employ non-observed harassing and interdiction fires on friendly forces traversing these
  choke points. Units may shorten the distance between elements to decrease reaction time or deploy their force
  to prepare for contact as the enemy situation develops.
  4-34. At battalion and company echelons, a force moves along covered or concealed positions along routes
  using terrain to minimize its vulnerability to enemy weapons. Further, an overwatching force should cover