Which defense characteristic refers to massing effects and the shifting of forces?

• A. Disruption
• B. Mass and Concentration
• C. Flexibility
• D. Operations in Depth

Answer: (B)

Mass and concentration means bringing the bulk of your combat power to bear at a decisive point and then moving reserves quickly to where they’re needed. In defense, concentrating forces creates local superiority—more firepower, protection, and momentum at the point the attacker is most likely to break through—so you can stop or slow them and leverage a response. The ability to shift forces, not keeping all reserves fixed in one sector, lets you react to changing threats, plug gaps, or exploit a successful defense to counterattack or reinforce another area.

Disruption focuses on shaping the enemy’s tempo and plans rather than concentrating your own combat power at a point. Flexibility is about adapting to evolving situations, and operations in depth emphasizes multiple defensive layers to absorb and delay rather than the single idea of massing at a point and moving reserves.