A variety of functions help the commander build and sustain combat power. Commanders integrate and coordinate these functions to synchronize battle effects in time, space, and purpose. The combat functions are:

• Intelligence.
• Maneuver.
• Fire support.
• Air defense.
• Mobility and survivability.
• Logistics.
• Battle command.

Intelligence is fundamental to effective planning, security, and deception. Intelligence operations are the organized efforts of a commander to gather and analyze information on the environment of operations and the enemy. Obtaining and synthesizing battlefield information prior to beginning operations is a vital task. ...

Maneuver is both an element of combat power and a principle of war and is discussed at length under those headings elsewhere in this manual. Maneuver is movement relative to the enemy to put him at a disadvantage. Commanders maneuver their forces to create the conditions for tactical and operational success. By maneuver, friendly forces gain the ability to destroy the enemy or hinder his movement through the direct or indirect application of lethal power or threat thereof. Tactical maneuver is done to gain operational results. ...

... Fire support is the collective and coordinated employment of the fires of armed aircraft, land- and sea­based indirect fire systems, and electronic warfare systems against ground targets to support land combat operations at both the operational and tactical levels. ...

Fire support is the integration and synchronization of rifes and effects to delay, disrupt, or destroy encmy forces, combat functions, and facilities in pursuit of operational and tactical objectives. ...

Air defense operations are key when generating combat power. They provide the force with protection from enemy air attack, preventing the enemy from separating friendly forces while freeing the commander to fully synchronize maneuver and firepower ... The threat to friendly forces and combat functions is significantly greater than in the past due to weapons of mass destruction and the proliferation of missilc technology. ...

Mobility operations preserve the freedom of maneuver of friendly forces. Mobility missions include breaching enemy obstacles, increasing battlefield circulation, improving existing routes or building new ones, providing bridge and raft support for crossing rivers, and identifying routes around contaminated areas. By denying mobility to enemy forces (countermobility), Army forces can destroy them with fire and maneuver. These efforts limit the maneuver of enemy forces and enhance the effectiveness of fires. Countermobility missions include building obstacles and using smoke to hinder enemy maneuver. ...

Survivability operations protect friendly forces from the effects of enemy weapon systems and from natural occurrences. Hardening of facilities and fortification of battle positions are active survivability measures. Deception, OPSEC, and dispersion can increase survivability. Nuclear, biological chemical (NBC) defense measures are also key survivability operations. ...

Logistics incorporates a variety of technical specialties and functional activities, to include maximizing the use of available host nation infrastructure and contracted logistics support. It provides the physical means with which forces operate, from the production base and replacement centers in the US, to soldiers in contact with the enemy. It applies across the full range of military operations and at all levels of war. As the scale and complexity of Army operations increase, the importance of logistics to their success increases too. ...

In modern battle, the magnitude of available information challenges leaders at all levels. Ultimately, they must assimilate thousands of bits of information to visualize the battlefield, assess the situation, and direct the military action required to achieve victory . Thinking and acting are simultaneous activities for leaders in battle. ...

Command has two vital components - decision making and leadership.

• Decision making is knowing if to decide, then when and what to decide. These are tactical, operational, and strategic judgments. ...
• Leadership is taking responsibility for decisions; being loyal to subordinates; inspiring and directing assigned forces and resources toward a purposeful end; establishing a teamwork climate that engenders success; ...

... Control is inherent in battle command. Control monitors the status of organizational effectiveness and identifies deviations from set standards and corrects them. Commanders acquire and apply means to accomplish their intent. Ultimately, commanders provide a means to measure, report, and correct performance. ...

... Reliable communications are central both to battle command and to control. General Omar Bradley once said, "Congress can make a general, but only communications can make him a commander." Effective battle command requires reliable signal support systems to enable the commander to conduct operations at varying operational tempos. ...