Page:USMC MCDP 1-3 - Tactics.djvu/10

 his book is about winning in combat. Winning requires a thorough understanding and knowledge of tactics. But what is tactics?

Tactics is "the art and science of winning engagements and battles. It includes the use of firepower and maneuver, the integration of different arms and the immediate exploitation of success to defeat the enemy," as well as the sustainment of forces during combat. It also "includes the technical application of combat power, which consists of those techniques and procedures for accomplishing specific tasks within a tactical action." This description is from Marine Corps doctrine and reflects our approach to tactics. What does it tell us?

Tactics refers to the concepts and methods we use to accomplish a particular objective in either combat or military operations other than war. In war, tactics is the application of combat power to defeat the enemy in engagements and battles. Combat power is the total destructive force we can bring to bear against the enemy; it is a unique product of a variety of physical, moral, and mental factors. Tactics results in the actions and counteractions between opposing forces. It includes the use of maneuver, supported by the application and coordination of fires, to gain advantage in order to defeat the enemy. 3