A phase in combat is usually a period within a

military operation A military operation (op) is the coordinated military actions of a state, or a non-state actor, in response to a developing situation. These actions are designed as a military plan to resolve the situation in the state or actor's favor. Operati ...

of a longer duration that is a part of a serial chain of logically connected activities planned to culminate in a defined objective or goal. A phase is usually marked by achievement of significant intermediary objectives, such as tactical within an

engagement An engagement or betrothal is the period of time between the declaration of acceptance of a marriage proposal and the marriage itself (which is typically but not always commenced with a wedding). During this period, a couple is said to be ''f ...

. A phase may be either limited by time allocated for its execution, or unlimited in time, and defined only by achievement of the objective. At the strategic level, a phase continue for years. Not all phases of

combat Combat (French language, French for ''fight'') is a purposeful violent Conflict (process), conflict between multiple combatants with the intent to harm the opposition. Combat may be armed (using weapons) or unarmed (Hand-to-hand combat, not usin ...

include fighting between

armed forces A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. Militaries are typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with their members identifiable by a ...

. Phases can, and usually do overlap, and sometimes can be planned for parallel execution, often as part of deception planning. Phases typically found in offensive military operations are: Preparation *

Intelligence gathering Espionage, spying, or intelligence gathering, as a subfield of the intelligence field, is the act of obtaining secret or Confidentiality, confidential information (Intelligence (information), intelligence). A person who commits espionage on ...

phaseAlso known as

reconnaissance In military operations, military reconnaissance () or scouting is the exploration of an area by military forces to obtain information about enemy forces, the terrain, and civil activities in the area of operations. In military jargon, reconnai ...

* Operations planning phase *

Logistics management Logistics is the part of supply chain management that deals with the efficient forward and reverse flow of goods, services, and related information from the point of origin to the point of consumption according to the needs of customers. Logi ...

phase *

Deception Deception is the act of convincing of one or many recipients of untrue information. The person creating the deception knows it to be false while the receiver of the information does not. It is often done for personal gain or advantage. Tort of ...

and

counterintelligence Counterintelligence (counter-intelligence) or counterespionage (counter-espionage) is any activity aimed at protecting an agency's Intelligence agency, intelligence program from an opposition's intelligence service. It includes gathering informati ...

phase * Assembly phase Conduct * Initial ( combat assault) phase * Breakthrough phase Exploitation * Follow-on (support) phase * Pursuit phase * Objective security phase * Position consolidation phase *

Defensive Defense or defence may refer to: Tactical, martial, and political acts or groups * Defense (military), forces primarily intended for warfare * Civil defense, the organizing of civilians to deal with emergencies or enemy attacks * Defense indust ...

phase * Reorganisation phase * A lull in combat (usually unplanned) Stability * Enable civil authorities

Citations and notes

References

Military theory Military strategy Military tactics {{mil-stub