text: _________________________________________________________________________________Chapter 2
  Objective X
  Enemy
  Base Enemy
  X
  Objective
  Figure 2-11. Nonlinear Operations
  2-65. Nonlinear Operations. Military operations that seek to complete a
  force- or systems-based mission, with no secure connection to a base and no
  easily defined front and rear across the force, are nonlinear. Orientation of
  the force is determined by the location of the immediate threat or the objec-
  tive. (See Figure 2-11.) In most cases, units in a nonlinear environment rely
  on movement, deception, cover, and concealment to provide protection for po-
  tentially exposed portions of the force.
  2-66. Expected Effects. The OPFOR considers the difference between lin-
  ear and nonlinear operations less in terms of geography and more in terms of
  effects desired. Linear operations normally produce small effects from small
  actions and large effects from large actions (or perhaps large effects from an
  aggregation of small actions)a linear relationship. Linear operations are
  proportional and additive, and typically produce a predictable, measurable
  effect. In contrast, this relationship may not always be present in nonlinear
  operations, which can produce large effects from small actions. In some cases,
  small actions produce small effects or no effects at all. Thus, nonlinear opera-
  tions produce disproportionate, often unpredicted effects.
  2-67. The OPFOR believes the worst of all possible situations is for a force to
  be operating in a linear mode against an enemy that can operate freely
  throughout the battlespace with excellent situational awareness and signifi-
  cant forces and fires. The OPFOR seeks, as a base case, to create such a
  situation for its enemies.