What is the first step in engagement area development?

In the process of engagement area development, the initial step involves a thorough assessment of the battlefield in order to understand how the enemy is likely to approach. Identifying all likely enemy avenues of approach is crucial because it forms the foundation for subsequent actions, such as the placement of friendly forces, determining where to engage the threat, and planning effective fire support.

Recognizing these avenues enables commanders to anticipate enemy movements and concentrate their efforts towards these critical points, maximizing the effectiveness of defensive operations. This foundational understanding ensures that subsequent steps, such as planning and integrating fires, emplacing weapon systems, and targeted engagement, are informed and strategically sound.

In this context, the identification of enemy approaches directly informs the tactical decisions and resource allocation that follow, thereby making it the first and most essential step in the engagement area development process.