Definition
Tactical positioning where one element provides covering fire while another maneuvers, creating a leap-frog pattern of mutually supporting violence. The buddy system, but with machine guns.
Example Usage
First squad will move to that building while second squad provides overwatch from current position.
Origin
Infantry tactics terminology from fire and maneuver doctrine
Fun Fact
Overwatch is so fundamental to modern infantry tactics that failing to establish it is a guaranteed way to get people killed—also why it's drilled into soldiers until they dream about it.
Source: Infantry tactical movement doctrine
Related Terms
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