text: Chapter 1
  which helps them to develop the situation. This also alerts the higher echelon and allows the initiation of
  necessary actions.
  1-75. If friendly forces make contact first without the enemy being aware, they pause and determine if they
  have been detected, if not they move to a location where they won’t be observed and continue the actions on
  contact process. One of the tenets of multidomain operations is to make contact with the smallest element
  possible. This element is the one that reacts to contact, while the rest of the force begins conducting actions
  on contact at different tempos.
  Develop the Situation
  1-76. The unit in contact develops the situation to define the threat being faced. This helps to develop the
  situation across the front of the unit and ultimately provides more maneuver space to execute further actions.
  As the situation develops and the enemy force’s dispositions, strength, and intentions become clearer, the
  unit in contact submits additional reports. Typical things to consider include, but is not limited to—
  * Size, activity, location, composition, and orientation of the enemy force.
  * Impact of obstacles and terrain.
  * Enemy capabilities.
  * Probable enemy intentions.
  * Method of gaining positional advantage over the enemy.
  * Friendly situation (location, strength, and capabilities).
  * Possible friendly actions to achieve the specified end state.
  1-77. For lower echelons such as companies and below, it will not take long to develop the situation based
  on their small frontage. Meanwhile for a brigade or division, based on their frontage, it will take longer to
  develop the situation and determine if the enemy is acting according to the plan before the commander can
  make an informed decision.
  Choose an Action
  1-78. After the unit makes contact, its leader gathers information to make an assessment based on their
  understanding of the enemy and friendly forces’ composition and disposition and chooses an action consistent
  with the higher echelon commander’s intent and within the unit’s capabilities. These actions typically are—
  * Attack.
  * Bypass.
  * Defend.
  * Delay.
  * Withdrawal.
  1-79. For obstacles covered by fire, the unit can either seek a bypass or conduct breaching operations as part
  of a hasty attack. For obstacles not covered by fire, the unit can either seek a bypass or create the required
  number of lanes to support its maneuver or the maneuver of a supported unit.
  1-80. Circumstances may dictate that the action requires a higher commander’s approval. Reasons for
  needing a higher commander’s approval could include—
  * Action requires additional resources.
  * Action is not within the commander’s intent.
  * Action sets conditions for the higher echelon to continue.
  * Action changes their higher echelon’s scheme of maneuver.
  1-81. The leader of the unit in contact must report to the next higher echelon commander for action approval
  if the circumstances in paragraph 1-80 apply. Higher approval is required since the unit in contact’s actions
  could change the entire friendly force’s scheme of maneuver. The higher echelon carefully avoids focusing
  on initial security engagements to the detriment of operations directed against the enemy main body.
  1-82. If the action is within the commander’s intent and doesn’t meet any of the criteria in paragraph 1-80
  the unit in contact executes the chosen action with no additional approval needed. To avoid delay, unit