Definition

Attacking the side of an enemy force rather than the defended front. It's the military principle that 'head-on fighting is stupid, so let's attack from where they're not looking.'

Example Usage

While the enemy defended the main road, the platoon flanked through the forest, arriving at the objective unseen.

Origin

Tactic as old as organized warfare itself, formalized in military doctrine

Fun Fact

Flanking is so effective that military forces spend enormous effort trying to protect their flanks—the weakness is obvious to everyone except apparently the person being flanked.

Source: Infantry tactics doctrine

Related Terms

Beginner

forward operating base

A secured forward position supporting tactical operations, larger and more established than a combat outpost. Home away from home, if home had blast walls and port-a-johns.

🎖️ Military / Defense
Advanced

ribbon

A longitudinal timber brace running along a ship's ribs like a terrifyingly specific orthopedic corset; the structural reinforcement preventing a vessel from deciding mid-voyage to reorganize itself into something more geometrically creative.

🎖️ Military / Defense
Intermediate

asymmetric threat

An adversary employing unconventional tactics or strategies to counter a conventional military advantage. When the other side didn't get the memo about fighting fair.

🎖️ Military / Defense
Beginner

gun run

An attack pass by an aircraft using its cannons or machine guns rather than missiles or bombs, because sometimes pilots prefer the satisfaction of personal delivery. It's strafing with style.

🎖️ Military / Defense
Intermediate

nasty girl

Slang term for members of the National Guard, used by active duty personnel. Sometimes affectionate, sometimes condescending, depending on who's saying it and current deployment rotations.

🎖️ Military / Defense
Intermediate

amphibious

Military operations or vehicles designed to function both on land and in water, because apparently dominating just one environment isn't enough. It's the tactical equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, allowing forces to storm beaches and then keep rolling inland without switching rides. The reason why Marines get excited about vehicles that would make most mechanics nervous.

🎖️ Military / Defense

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