text: The Offense
  Attack
  3-5. An attack is a type of offensive operation that defeats enemy forces, seizes terrain or secures
  terrain. Attacks incorporate coordinated maneuver. An attack differs from a movement to contact since
  knowledge of the enemy’s disposition enables units to synchronize and employ combat power more
  effectively. There are four variations of an attack:
  * Ambush.
  * Counterattack.
  * Raid.
  * Spoiling attacks.
  See Chapter 5 for more information on attack.
  Exploitation
  3-6. An exploitation is a type of offensive operation following a successful attack to disorganize the
  enemy in depth. Exploitations seek to disintegrate enemy forces to the extent that they have no alternative
  but surrender or retreat. Exploitations take advantage of tactical opportunities. Division and higher echelon
  headquarters normally plan exploitations as branches or sequels to current operations. See chapter 6 for more
  information on exploitation.
  Pursuit
  3-7. A pursuit is a type of offensive operation to catch or cut off a disorganized hostile force
  attempting to escape, with the aim of destroying it. Pursuits entail rapid movement and decentralized
  control. Pursuits require the pursuing force to retain more mobility than the enemy force. Any offensive
  operation can transition into a pursuit if enemy resistance breaks down and enemy forces flee. Pursuits
  generally follow successful exploitations with the purpose of completing the destruction of enemy forces
  before they can reorganize. There are two variations of pursuits:
  * Frontal.
  * Combination.
  See Chapter 7 for more information on pursuit.
  COMMON OFFENSIVE PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS
  3-8. The widespread application of highly accurate and lethal weapons, the high degree of tactical mobility,
  ever-present sensors, and a complex operational environment all characterize contemporary combined arms
  warfare. Units have a higher probability of tactical success when they can first visualize the battlefield,
  understand the implications of existing friendly and enemy dispositions, and take effective action to impose
  their will on the situation. The planning considerations for the offense also apply to the defense with
  situationally appropriate modifications.
  3-9. Only a determined offense, conducted at a high tempo and to great depth, attains the enemy force’s
  destruction. The attacker’s principal advantage is that it possesses the initiative. Maintaining the initiative
  allows units to engage the enemy at the time, and in a manner of their choosing. Attacking units have the
  time and opportunity to develop a plan and to concentrate the effects of subordinate forces and combat
  enablers to create conditions for success. Units strike the enemy in unexpected ways at unexpected times and
  places. They focus on attacking the right combination of targets, not necessarily the biggest or the closest.
  These attacks are rapidly and violently executed, unpredictable, and seek to disorient enemy forces.
  3-10. Attacking units maintain tempo by rapidly following up on attacks throughout the depth of the
  battlefield to keep enemy forces off-balance and deny them the ability to recover. Friendly forces develop
  flexible plans that allow them to take advantage of opportunities to maintain the initiative and dictate the
  tempo of operations against the enemy. Due to the intensity and high pace of offensive operations, units take
  proactive measures to prevent early culmination prior to accomplishing their assigned mission. The tempo of
  friendly operations must be fast enough to prevent effective counteraction and attacking units change their
  means and methods before enemy forces can adapt to them.