What is the first offensive task in a military operation?

The first offensive task in a military operation is the movement to contact. This task involves forces moving to locate and establish contact with the enemy, which is essential for gathering intelligence, setting the stage for subsequent offensive actions, and launching attacks.

Movement to contact is proactive in nature; it’s aimed at closing with the enemy and determining their position and strength. This phase helps to shape the battlefield by providing leaders with the necessary information to make informed decisions regarding further offensive operations. By engaging the enemy during this phase, units can also force the enemy to commit resources, revealing their intentions and capabilities.

While an attack, exploitation, and pursuit are all part of the broader spectrum of offensive tasks, they typically follow the movement to contact. An attack initiates engagement with the enemy once they are located, and exploitation and pursuit revolve around maintaining pressure on the enemy after a successful initial engagement or when they are retreating. Thus, movement to contact is foundational for executing these subsequent tasks effectively.