Which of the following is one of the four Elements of Decisive Action?

• A. Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA)
• B. Retrograde
• C. Tempo
• D. Attack

Answer: (A)

Decisive Action blends ways of operating in any mission, and its four elements include offensive operations, defensive operations, stability operations, and Defense Support to Civil Authorities. DSCA—defense support to civilian authorities—covers how the military assists civilian authorities during disasters or emergencies, ensuring the ability to protect civilians, restore order, and support recovery while remaining ready to fight if needed. This inclusion reflects the reality that decisive action must work in domestic crises as well as combat settings. The other terms—retrograde, tempo, and attack—describe different concepts (sharing movement back, the speed of operations, or an offensive action) rather than being one of the four broad elements.