When does the conduct phase occur during operations?

The conduct phase in military operations refers to the execution of the plan where units engage with the enemy and carry out their designated missions. This phase typically occurs when forces are actively involved in battle and making tactical decisions in real-time, such as when the squad is forced to fire on the enemy.

At this point, the squad transitions from a state of preparation or movement to one of direct confrontation. The conduct phase emphasizes mission execution, coordination, and addressing dynamic situations on the battlefield, which includes making quick decisions under combat conditions.

While reaching an objective, being equipped, or conducting reconnaissance are important aspects of military operations, they occur at different stages of the overall operation and don’t specifically describe the active engagement phases of combat interaction with an adversary.