TACTICS: The 5 Forms of Maneuver

FM 3-90 (Tactics) is divided into four parts, consisting of twenty chapters and three appendices. Part One (chapters 1- 2) focuses on the overall concept of tactics and maneuver. Chapter two itself focuses on the five forms of maneuver. As always, italics added for our emphasis, and […] indicates we cut out stuff we thought was fluff. And, as always: you’re smarter reading the reg yourself to be exactly sure.

The major takeaways:

This is a massive, complicated, critical topic. Frankly, we could do a month on Chapter 1 alone. But, we’ll start with basics: The five forms of maneuver.

According to FM 3-90 (Tactics), Paraph 2-24: Forms of maneuver are distinct tactical combinations of fire and movement with a unique set of doctrinal characteristics that differ primarily in the relationship between the maneuvering force and the enemy (ADP 3-90). A form is a broad way of describing a scheme of maneuver. Units generally use the types of offensive and defensive operations to explain the overarching operation whereas the forms of maneuver are the basis for courses of action. Table 2-1 lists and illustrates the symbols for the five forms of maneuver. They are:

• Frontal attack

• Penetration

• Envelopment

• Turning movement

• Infiltration

Combined arms organizations accomplish their mission by synchronizing the warfighting functions to execute these forms of maneuver. In essence, these are what it’s all about in maneuver warfare.

Here are the symbolic representations of these forms of maneuver. Each speaks to what the form does.

Diving deep in the doctrinal details:

Here are the basics on each form of maneuver. We will get deeper on each one this week.

2-27. A frontal attack is a form of maneuver in which an attacking force seeks to destroy a weaker enemy force or fix a larger enemy force in place over a broad front. […] an attacking force uses a frontal attack to overrun a weak enemy force. They normally employ a frontal attack to— Form of maneuver Planning symbol Frontal attack Penetration Envelopment Turning movement Infiltration

Clear enemy security forces.

Overwhelm a shattered enemy force during an exploitation or pursuit.

Fix enemy forces in place as part of another operation.

Conduct a reconnaissance in force.

2-36. A penetration is a form of maneuver in which a force attacks on a narrow front. Destroying the continuity of a defense enables the enemy 2-82. An infiltration is a form of maneuver in which an attacking force conducts undetected movement through or into an area occupied by enemy forces. Infiltration is also a march technique used well before encountering enemy forces to avoid enemy information collection assets. Infiltration occurs by land, water, air, or a combination of means. Moving and assembling forces covertly through enemy positions takes a lot of time. A successful infiltration requires the infiltrating force to avoid detection and engagement by enemy forces. Since this requirement limits the size and strength of the infiltrating force, and infiltrated forces alone can rarely defeat an enemy force, units use infiltration in conjunction with and in support of other forms of offensive maneuver.subsequent isolation and defeat in detail. The penetration extends from the enemy force’s disruption zone through the battle zone into the enemy support zone. Units employ a penetration when—

• Weak spots are identified in enemy defenses through reconnaissance, surveillance, and security operations.

• Conditions do not permit an envelopment, such as the enemy having no assailable flank

2-58. Envelopment is a form of maneuver in which an attacking force avoids an enemy’s principal defense by attacking along an assailable flank. An envelopment avoids the enemy force’s strength—the enemy’s front—where the effects of enemy fires and obstacles are generally the greatest and attacks the enemy to the flank or rear. Envelopments force the enemy to fight in two or more directions simultaneously to meet the converging efforts of an attack. Envelopments focus either on seizing terrain, destroying enemy forces, or interdicting enemy withdrawal routes. Units prefer to conduct an envelopment instead of a penetration or a frontal attack because generally the flanks of the defending forces are weaker and provide the attacking forces the most opportunities to destroy the enemy force. The main effort focuses on attacking an assailable flank. If no assailable flank is available, the attacking force creates one through the conduct of a penetration. The three variations of the envelopment are—

• Single envelopment.

• Double envelopment.

• Vertical envelopment

2-71. A turning movement is a form of maneuver in which the attacking force seeks to avoid the enemy’s principal defensive positions by attacking to the rear of their current positions forcing them to move or divert forces to meet the threat. A turning movement differs from an envelopment because the force conducting a turning movement seeks to make enemy forces displace from their current locations, whereas an enveloping force seeks to engage enemy forces in their current locations from an unexpected direction. It can also be conducted using waterborne or amphibious means. Figure 2-18 graphically depicts a turning movement. Units frequently transition this form of offensive maneuver from the attack into an exploitation or pursuit. The turning force must also be capable of operating outside supporting distances for a set time. Only divisions and above can execute a turning movement. This is due to these echelons possessing the organic resources to organize a turning force that can operate outside the supporting distance of the main body and force enemy units out of their current positions. execute a turning movement

2-82. An infiltration is a form of maneuver in which an attacking force conducts undetected movement through or into an area occupied by enemy forces. Infiltration is also a march technique used well before encountering enemy forces to avoid enemy information collection assets. Infiltration occurs by land, water, air, or a combination of means. Moving and assembling forces covertly through enemy positions takes a lot of time. A successful infiltration requires the infiltrating force to avoid detection and engagement by enemy forces. Since this requirement limits the size and strength of the infiltrating force, and infiltrated forces alone can rarely defeat an enemy force, units use infiltration in conjunction with and in support of other forms of offensive maneuver.

Need some last-minute summer reading? A day of FM 3-90 goes great with the beach. Read it here.