text: Chapter 1
  contact with the enemy before maneuvering. (See Chapter 2 for more information on movement techniques
  and formations.)
  Employment of Direct Fires
  1-111. A field of fire is the area that a weapon or group of weapons may cover effectively from a given
  position. In selecting a position, a unit must balance how the field of fire will best gain an advantage while
  simultaneously providing cover and mitigating the effect of the enemy’s weapons systems.
  1-112. Fire control measures are the means by which leaders control direct fires. Application of these
  concepts, procedures, and techniques helps the unit acquire the enemy, focus fires on the enemy, distribute
  the results of the fires, and prevent fratricide. At the same time, no single measure suffices to control fires
  effectively. Common fire control measures are—
  * Target reference point.
  * Rules of engagement.
  * Engagement area.
  * Sector of fire.
  * Weapons safety posture.
  * Direction of fire.
  * Weapons control status.
  * Terrain-based quadrant.
  * Engagement priorities.
  * Friendly-based quadrant.
  * Trigger.
  * Maximum engagement line.
  * Restrictive fire line (RFL).
  * Final protective line (FPL).
  * Engagement techniques.
  * Fire patterns.
  * Target array.
  Principles for Direct Fire Planning and Control
  1-113. Leaders apply eight fundamental principles during planning, preparing for, and executing direct
  fires. These principles are not to restrict the actions of subordinates but to facilitate their ability to acquire
  and to engage with direct fire against the threat. These principles are—
  * Destroy the greatest threat first.
  * Mass the effects of direct fire.
  * Employ the best weapon for the specific target.
  * Avoid target overkill.
  * Minimize exposure.
  * Plan and implement control measures.
  * Plan for limited-visibility conditions.
  * Plan for degraded capabilities.
  Destroy the Greatest Threat First
  1-114. The order in which the unit engages enemy forces directly relates to the danger they present and how
  the engagement will seize the initiative. Leaders should assess the greatest threat not only in terms of
  capability, but also how a given target nests within the enemy’s capabilities and desired friendly end state.
  The enemy forces’ threat depends on their weapons, range, and positioning in relation to and comparison to
  the friendly force. In general, a friendly force, when presented with multiple targets, should initially
  concentrate fires to destroy the greatest threat, and then distribute fires over the remainder of the enemy force.