SGTS COURSE LEADERSHIP II
EXAMINATION SCRIPT 2026 TESTED
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
GRADED A+
⩥ Mass. Answer: Mass refers to the concentration of friendly
capabilities at the decisive place and time to achieve decisive results.
Mass applies to fires, combat support, combat service support, and
numbers of forces. Proper use of the principle of mass, together with the
other principles of war, allow a numerically inferior force to achieve
decisive local superiority. The decision to concentrate requires strict
economy and the acceptance of risk elsewhere, particularly in view of
the lethality of modern weapons that mandate the rapid assembly and
speedy dispersal of forces.
⩥ Objective. Answer: This principle advises the direction of every
military operation toward a clearly defined, decisive, and attainable
objective. The objective of each operation must contribute to the
ultimate objective or purpose of the operation. It requires a clear
understanding of the overall mission and intent of the higher command,
the tasks that must be performed, and the reasons for them. Objectives
ensure all actions contribute to the higher commander's endstate. Clearly
defined objectives promote initiative.
⩥ Offensive. Answer: Seize, retain, and exploit the initiative. Offensive
action is the decisive form of combat. It is necessary to maintain
,freedom of action. Offensive action allows leaders to exploit enemy
weaknesses, impose their will upon the enemy, and determine the course
of the battle.
⩥ Simplicity. Answer: Simplicity means preparing clear, uncomplicated
plans and clear, concise orders to ensure thorough understanding. Plans
should be as simple and direct as the situation and mission dictate.
Direct, simple plans and clear, concise orders reduce the chance for
misunderstanding and confusion and promote effective execution.
⩥ Economy of Force. Answer: The reciprocal of the principle of mass,
economy of force allocates minimum essential combat power to
secondary efforts. The commander allocates the minimum essential
combat power to secondary efforts, requiring the acceptance of prudent
risks in selected areas to achieve superiority at the decisive time and
location with the main effort.
⩥ Maneuver. Answer: Maneuver is the flexible application of combat
power to achieve a position of advantage with respect to the enemy to
accomplish the mission. Maneuver is the employment of forces in any
dimension, whether temporal (operate at a tempo greater that the
enemy's), psychological (destroy the enemy's will to fight),
technological (superior equipment), or spatial (a positional
disadvantage) to gain an advantage.
,⩥ Unity of Command. Answer: Unity of command requires unity of
effort for every objective under one responsible commander. The goal of
unity of command is unity of effort.
⩥ Surprise. Answer: Strike the enemy at a time or place or in a manner
that he is unprepared for. It is not essential that the enemy be taken when
unaware, but that the enemy becomes aware too late to react effectively.
⩥ Security. Answer: The goal of security is to never permit the enemy to
acquire an unexpected advantage. Security measures are designed to
prevent surprise, ensure freedom of action, and deny the enemy
information about friendly forces, capabilities, and plans. It does not
imply the over-application of caution to eliminate risk, but rather seeks
to enhance our operations through bold maneuver and acceptance of
calculated risk.
⩥ Art of Tactics. Answer: The art of tactics lies in how we creatively
form and apply military force in a given situation. It involves the
creation, positioning, and maneuver of combat power. For example,
understanding tactics allows us to answer questions such as "When do
we attack the enemy using a frontal, flanking, or enveloping attack?"
This creativity is a developed capacity acquired through education,
practice, and experience.
⩥ The Science of Tactics. Answer: The science of tactics lies in the
technical application of combat power. It includes mastering the
techniques and procedures that contribute to the warfighting skills such
, as marksmanship, gunnery, land navigation, and close air support. The
execution of these techniques and procedures must become second
nature to us, requiring intensive and continuous training. Without
mastery of basic warfighting skills, artistry and creativity in their
application are impossible. We must always strive for "brilliance in the
basics" at all levels to ensure success.
⩥ Successful execution of Marine Corps tactics concepts. Answer:
Achieving a decision
•Gaining advantage
•Being faster
•Adapting
•Cooperating
•Exploiting success
⩥ Tactics is defined as __________.. Answer: The art and science of
winning engagements and battles
⩥ Analytical Decision Making. Answer: If time is available to analyze
situations deliberately and to consider multiple options, leaders should
make the most of it. Comparing several options and selecting the best
one is known as analytical decision- making.
⩥ Intuitive Decision-Making. Answer: Once engaged, however, the
leader will find that time is short and the need for speed paramount. In
EXAMINATION SCRIPT 2026 TESTED
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
GRADED A+
⩥ Mass. Answer: Mass refers to the concentration of friendly
capabilities at the decisive place and time to achieve decisive results.
Mass applies to fires, combat support, combat service support, and
numbers of forces. Proper use of the principle of mass, together with the
other principles of war, allow a numerically inferior force to achieve
decisive local superiority. The decision to concentrate requires strict
economy and the acceptance of risk elsewhere, particularly in view of
the lethality of modern weapons that mandate the rapid assembly and
speedy dispersal of forces.
⩥ Objective. Answer: This principle advises the direction of every
military operation toward a clearly defined, decisive, and attainable
objective. The objective of each operation must contribute to the
ultimate objective or purpose of the operation. It requires a clear
understanding of the overall mission and intent of the higher command,
the tasks that must be performed, and the reasons for them. Objectives
ensure all actions contribute to the higher commander's endstate. Clearly
defined objectives promote initiative.
⩥ Offensive. Answer: Seize, retain, and exploit the initiative. Offensive
action is the decisive form of combat. It is necessary to maintain
,freedom of action. Offensive action allows leaders to exploit enemy
weaknesses, impose their will upon the enemy, and determine the course
of the battle.
⩥ Simplicity. Answer: Simplicity means preparing clear, uncomplicated
plans and clear, concise orders to ensure thorough understanding. Plans
should be as simple and direct as the situation and mission dictate.
Direct, simple plans and clear, concise orders reduce the chance for
misunderstanding and confusion and promote effective execution.
⩥ Economy of Force. Answer: The reciprocal of the principle of mass,
economy of force allocates minimum essential combat power to
secondary efforts. The commander allocates the minimum essential
combat power to secondary efforts, requiring the acceptance of prudent
risks in selected areas to achieve superiority at the decisive time and
location with the main effort.
⩥ Maneuver. Answer: Maneuver is the flexible application of combat
power to achieve a position of advantage with respect to the enemy to
accomplish the mission. Maneuver is the employment of forces in any
dimension, whether temporal (operate at a tempo greater that the
enemy's), psychological (destroy the enemy's will to fight),
technological (superior equipment), or spatial (a positional
disadvantage) to gain an advantage.
,⩥ Unity of Command. Answer: Unity of command requires unity of
effort for every objective under one responsible commander. The goal of
unity of command is unity of effort.
⩥ Surprise. Answer: Strike the enemy at a time or place or in a manner
that he is unprepared for. It is not essential that the enemy be taken when
unaware, but that the enemy becomes aware too late to react effectively.
⩥ Security. Answer: The goal of security is to never permit the enemy to
acquire an unexpected advantage. Security measures are designed to
prevent surprise, ensure freedom of action, and deny the enemy
information about friendly forces, capabilities, and plans. It does not
imply the over-application of caution to eliminate risk, but rather seeks
to enhance our operations through bold maneuver and acceptance of
calculated risk.
⩥ Art of Tactics. Answer: The art of tactics lies in how we creatively
form and apply military force in a given situation. It involves the
creation, positioning, and maneuver of combat power. For example,
understanding tactics allows us to answer questions such as "When do
we attack the enemy using a frontal, flanking, or enveloping attack?"
This creativity is a developed capacity acquired through education,
practice, and experience.
⩥ The Science of Tactics. Answer: The science of tactics lies in the
technical application of combat power. It includes mastering the
techniques and procedures that contribute to the warfighting skills such
, as marksmanship, gunnery, land navigation, and close air support. The
execution of these techniques and procedures must become second
nature to us, requiring intensive and continuous training. Without
mastery of basic warfighting skills, artistry and creativity in their
application are impossible. We must always strive for "brilliance in the
basics" at all levels to ensure success.
⩥ Successful execution of Marine Corps tactics concepts. Answer:
Achieving a decision
•Gaining advantage
•Being faster
•Adapting
•Cooperating
•Exploiting success
⩥ Tactics is defined as __________.. Answer: The art and science of
winning engagements and battles
⩥ Analytical Decision Making. Answer: If time is available to analyze
situations deliberately and to consider multiple options, leaders should
make the most of it. Comparing several options and selecting the best
one is known as analytical decision- making.
⩥ Intuitive Decision-Making. Answer: Once engaged, however, the
leader will find that time is short and the need for speed paramount. In
