text: Chapter 5
  Attack
  This chapter addresses those considerations unique to an attack. The general offensive
  considerations discussed in chapter 3 continue to apply. This chapter addresses the
  general considerations, organization of forces, common control measures, planning,
  preparation, execution considerations, and the four variations of an attack.
  GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE ATTACK
  5-1. An attack is a type of offensive operation that defeats enemy forces, seizes terrain, or secures terrain.
  An attack masses the effects of overwhelming combat power against selected portions of an enemy force
  with a tempo and intensity that the enemy force cannot match. Attacking units seek positions of advantage
  and deliberately synchronize their combined arms teams.
  ORGANIZATION OF FORCES FOR AN ATTACK
  5-2. Commander’s task-organize their forces to give each unit enough combat power to accomplish its
  mission once the commander determines their schemes of maneuver. Units normally organize their forces
  into a security force, a main body, and a reserve, all supported by sustainment organizations. The best place
  and time for an attacking force to task-organize is when it is in an assembly area. This allows units to complete
  any changes in task organization in time to conduct rehearsals with their attached and supporting elements.
  FORWARD SECURITY FORCE
  5-3. While planning and preparing for operations, units have a security force to their front. Upon initiating
  movement toward their objective, they place a reconnaissance and security force to their front to identify
  enemy locations, dispositions, and strengths. These forces also confirm trafficability of axes of advance and
  cross-mobility corridors. They also destroy (within capabilities) as much of the enemy in the disruption zone
  as possible, enabling the main body to focus on the enemy in the battle zone. Units only resource dedicated
  flank or rear security forces during an attack if the attack uncovers one or more flank or the rear of the
  attacking force as they advance. Commanders designate flank or rear security forces and assign them a guard
  or screen mission, depending on the mission variables. Attacking forces should maintain a forward security
  element. The size of the forward security element is based upon if the friendly force has gained and
  maintained visual contact of the enemy.
  MAIN BODY
  5-4. Units organize their main bodies into combined arms formations to conduct their main and supporting
  efforts. They aim their main effort towards decisive points. Decisive points can consist of the immediate
  destruction of selected enemy forces, the enemy force’s capability to resist, seizure of terrain objectives, or
  the defeat of the enemy force’s plan. Units’ schemes of maneuver identify the focus of their main effort. All
  their forces’ available resources operate in concert to ensure the success of the main effort. The subordinate
  unit or units designated to conduct the main effort can change during the course of the attacks. Units designate
  assault, breach, and support forces if they expect to conduct breaching operations during their attack.
  5-5. Units retain flexibility by arranging their forces in depth, retaining strong reserves, and maintaining
  centralized control of long-range fire support systems. Units focus their available resources to support their
  main efforts achievement of its objective. Units cannot allow enemy actions, minor changes in the situation,
  or the lack of success by other supporting efforts to divert combat power from the main effort.