The Director: “Now, I want each member of the class to consider himself as being Sergeant Roberts. The incidents contained in the situation have transpired just as indicated. You were marching along the road; you saw Crane and Hanson take cover and point in the direction of the enemy; you joined them here; you see the enemy (explain what the enemy is doing). It is now up to you to make a decision as to what you are going to do and proceed to do it. Before going into the solution of the problem I want to make a few remarks on the conduct of the operations of a point.
“The real work of the advance guard begins when it gets in contact with the enemy. All formation and all operations are designed to insure success when this event happens. The point is the first element that meets the enemy and success or failure may depend upon what is done by this small body. The big idea is that we must get the jump on the enemy. We must lead and make him follow. In other words, we must take the offensive for it is only by offensive action that military success is gained.
“The commander of the point of an advance guard must be on the lookout for the enemy all the time. He must continually look ahead and dope out what he is going to do if the enemy should suddenly appear in this or that place.
“Sergeant Roberts has been doing this very thing and the proper action is plain to him. Let us see if it is plain to you.”
Solution
The Director: “Captain Harvey, when you saw Crane and Hanson take cover, what is the first thing you would have done?”
Captain Harvey: “I would join Crane and Hanson immediately just as the situation indicates.”
The Director: “Would you have done anything before going forward?”
Captain Harvey: “Well, sir, I would want to see for myself just what is going on before I took any definite action.”
The Director: “Would you have done anything else, Captain Hodges?”