rly vulnerable to enemy opposition because of
the types of weapons involved or because of favorable enemy
positions. Choice of such a course would permit the enemy an
initial advantage.

(b) Facility of Execution. This subject has to do with the
relative ease or difficulty of carrying out the several
courses of action. On the basis of the existing situation,
each course of action may be compared with all the others to
determine their relative merits with regard to the facility of
execution. Consideration is given to the action involved
against the several physical objectives; to the movements
needed in making new dispositions; to the relative adequacy of
the forces as to numbers and types of weapons; and to the
measures required for freedom of action.

A review of the previous discussion of these elements (Chapter
IV) may be very helpful in connection with this comparison. As
to freedom of action, for example, the commander may ask
himself which course is best from the standpoint of using the
initiative to advantage; and which course of action lends
itself best to the advantageous use of surprise. As the
commander reflects on these matters, other similar questions
may be suggested.

(c) Utilization of Own Strength and Exploitation of Enemy
Weakness. In his original visualization of each course of
action, the commander has naturally considered how to utilize
his own strength to best advantage, and how best to exploit
enemy weakness. In fact, especially in a detailed tactical
estimate, these considerations may have been predominant in
envisaging the courses of action. A careful evaluation of the
merits of each course of action in this respect is accordingly
necessary before a choice is made.

With regard to acceptability of consequences as to costs, the
commander considers the following:

(1) General. The process of putting a course of action to
proof as a tentative solution of the problem remains
incomplete until the course has been tested to determine its
consequences as to costs, so far as these can be visualized
in advance. The process involves an evaluation of the
diminution in total advantage which will result in the event
of failure, and a comparison of gains with losses in the
event of success. The situation to be expected, if the course
of action is c