ADP 3-90, page 41

31 July 2019 ADP 3-90 3-1 Chapter 3 The Offense This chapter discusses the basics of the offense. These basics include the purposes of the offense, characteristics of the offense, types of offensive operations, common offensive control measures, common offensive planning considerations, and transitions. These basics apply to all types of offensive operations. PURPOSES OF THE OFFENSE 3-1. The offense is the decisive form of war. The offense is the ultimate means commanders have of imposing their will on enemy forces. Army forces conduct the offense to defeat and destroy enemy forces as well as gain control of terrain, resources, and population centers. Commanders may also conduct the offense to deceive or divert an enemy force, develop intelligence, or hold an enemy force in position. Commanders seize, retain, and exploit the initiative when conducting the offense. Specific operations may orient on an enemy force or terrain objective to achieve a position of relative advantage. Taking the initiative from an enemy force requires the conduct of the offense, even in the defense. 3-2. The main purposes of the offense are to defeat enemy forces, destroy enemy forces, and gain control of terrain, resources, and population centers. Additionally, commanders conduct the offense to—  Secure decisive terrain.  Deprive the enemy of resources.  Gain information.  Deceive and divert an enemy force.  Fix an enemy force in position.  Disrupt an enemy force’s attack.  Set the conditions for successful future operations. The offense supports friendly operations in the air, maritime, space, and cyberspace domains, and in the information environment. These operations destroy, dislocate, disintegrate, or isolate an enemy force. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE OFFENSE 3-3. Audacity, concentration, surprise, and tempo characterize the offense. Commanders maneuver forces to advantageous positions before an operation. To shape their decisive operation, they initiate selective contact with enemy forces. The decisive operation determines the outcome of the major operation, battle, or engagement. Decisive operations capitalize on the successful application of the characteristics of the offense. (See paragraph 2-79 for more on decisive operations.) AUDACITY 3-4. Audacity is a willingness to take bold risks. The offense favors the bold execution of plans. Commanders display audacity by accepting risks commensurate with the value of their objectives. Commanders dispel uncertainty by acting decisively. They compensate for any lack of information by developing the situation aggressively to seize the initiative, and then they continuously engage in combat to exploit opportunities as they arise.