text: Chapter 6
  Exploitation
  An exploitation takes full advantage of offensive success. Commanders at all echelons
  exploit successful offensive actions. Exploiting success at every opportunity denies an
  enemy force time to reconstitute an effective defense by shifting forces or by regaining
  the initiative through a counterattack. This chapter discusses the general
  considerations, organization of forces, control measures, planning and preparation
  considerations, and execution considerations for an exploitation. All units, regardless
  of their size, conduct exploitations.
  GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR AN EXPLOITATION
  6-1. An exploitation is a type of offensive operation following a successful attack to disorganize the enemy
  in depth. Exploitation reinforces disorganization and confusion in the enemy’s command and control (C2)
  systems. The enemy force’s tactical defeat reduces its ability to react and adds confusion in the enemy’s C2
  structure. Units conduct exploitations to take advantage of this reduction in enemy capabilities to make
  permanent what would be only a temporary tactical effect.
  6-2. A unit conducts an exploitation when it capitalizes on tactical opportunities created while
  accomplishing successful offensive operations. A unit exploits to maintain or increase their successes by
  preventing enemy forces from reconstituting an effective defense or to recover from the initial attack.
  Whenever possible, the lead attacking unit transitions directly to the exploitation after accomplishing its
  mission. If this is not feasible, units pass additional forces into the lead. They act quickly to capitalize on
  these successes. Although exploitations may appear insignificant, their cumulative effects can be decisive.
  Subordinate commanders, working within their higher echelon commander’s intent, use their initiative to
  launch exploitations. Units inform their higher headquarters when initiating exploitations. This prevents
  disruption of the higher echelon’s battle and allows the higher echelon headquarters to assess the possibility
  of the enemy forces fleeing. This would lead to the initiation of pursuit operations.
  ORGANIZATION OF FORCES FOR AN EXPLOITATION
  6-3. The forces conducting an attack are also the forces that initially exploit that attack’s success—
  reconnaissance and security, main body, and reserve. Typically, commanders do not assign a subordinate
  unit the mission of exploitation before starting a movement to contact or attack. Units reorganize internally
  to reflect the specific mission variables when an opportunity to exploit success occurs. Units request any
  required additional resources to support the exploitation from the appropriate headquarters. Additional
  resources may include assets that allow the exploiting force to identify and attack targets in depth. Resources
  may also include assets that have the capability to conceal or mislead the enemy of the actions of the
  exploiting force. Each exploitation force should be large enough to defend itself from enemy forces it expects
  to encounter. It should also be a reasonably self-sufficient combined arms force capable of operations beyond
  the supporting range of the main body.
  6-4. Commanders should not expect those units that create the conditions for an exploitation to continue
  the exploitation in depth. If they plan to exploit with specific subordinate units, they specify the degree of
  damage or risk to those units that they are willing to accept during the operation. If the initial attacking units
  incur significant losses of combat power, commanders relieve them as soon as possible. Units continue the
  exploitation with a previously uncommitted force once the initial exploiting force’s combat power weakens
  because of fatigue, disorganization, attrition, or need to resupply. They also commit fresh forces when the