movement to contact

Intermediate 🎖️ Military / Defense

Definition

An offensive operation designed to gain or regain contact with the enemy, accepting engagement under uncertain conditions. Deliberately walking around looking for a fight, which sounds less professional than the doctrinal definition.

Example Usage

Battalion is conducting a movement to contact to locate enemy forces reported in the northern sector.

Origin

Offensive operations classification distinguishing it from hasty or deliberate attacks

Fun Fact

Movement to contact is one of the few operations where 'finding the enemy' and 'mission success' are the same thing, even if finding them involves getting shot at.

Source: Army Field Manual 3-90, Offense and Defense

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