JP 3-0, page 80

Chapter III III-28 JP 3-0 (2) Maneuver joint forces to achieve a position of advantage over an enemy. (3) Provide mobility for joint forces to facilitate their movement and maneuver without delays caused by terrain or obstacles. (4) Delay, channel, or stop movement and maneuver by enemy formations. This includes operations that employ obstacles (i.e., countermobility), enforce sanctions and embargoes, and conduct blockades. (5) Control significant areas in the operational area whose possession or control provides either side an operational advantage. b. Movement to Attain Operational Reach (1) Forces, sometimes limited to those that are forward-deployed or even multinational forces formed specifically for the task at hand, can be positioned within operational reach of enemy COGs or decisive points to achieve decisive force at the appropriate time and place. Operational reach is the distance and duration across which a joint force can successfully employ its military capabilities. At other times, mobilization and deployment processes can be called up to begin the movement of reinforcing forces from the continental United States (CONUS) or other theaters to redress any unfavorable balance of forces and to achieve decisive force at the appropriate time and place. Alert may come with little or no notice. (2) JFCs must carefully consider the movement of forces and whether to recommend the formation and or movement of multinational forces. At times, movement of forces can contribute to the escalation of tension, while at other times its deterrent effect can reduce those tensions. Movement of forces may deter adversary aggression or movement. For more information on deployment process, refer to JP 3-35, Deployment and Redeployment Operations. c. Maneuver is the employment of forces in the operational area through movement in combination with fires to achieve a position of advantage in respect to the enemy. Maneuver of forces relative to enemy COGs can be key to the JFC’s mission accomplishment. Through maneuver, the JFC can concentrate forces at decisive points to achieve surprise, psychological effects, and physical momentum. Maneuver also may enable or exploit the effects of massed or precision fires. (1) The principal purpose of maneuver is to place the enemy at a disadvantage through the flexible application of movement and fires. The goal of maneuver is to render opponents incapable of resisting by shattering their morale and physical cohesion (i.e., their ability to fight as an effective, coordinated whole) by moving to a point of advantage to deliver a decisive blow. This may be achieved by attacking enemy forces and controlling territory, airspace, populations, key waters, and LOCs through air, land, and maritime maneuvers.