Military tactics is the collective name for methods of engaging and defeating an enemy in battle. Changes in philosophy and technology over time have been reflected in changes to military tactics. An enemy or foe is a relativist term for an entity that is seen as forcefully adverse or threatening. ... The Battle of Waterloo by William Sadler. ... Philosophy is a discipline or field of study involving the investigation, analysis, and development of ideas at a general, abstract, or fundamental level. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ...

Up until the 19th century, many military tactics were confined to battlefield concerns, such as how to best maneuver units during combat in open terrain. In current military thought, tactics comprise the operational use of forces in a particular combat situation. Tactics may be contrasted with military strategy, which is concerned with the overall means and plan for achieving a long-term outcome. Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... See also the town of Battle, East Sussex, England Generally, a battle is an instance of combat between two or more parties wherein each group will seek to defeat the others. ... Operational warfare is, within warfare and military doctrine, the level of command which coordinates the minute details of tactics with the overarching goals of strategy. ... Military strategy in the Waterloo campaign Military strategy is a collective name for planning the conduct of warfare. ...

Specialized tactics exist for many situations, ranging from securing a room or individual building, to large-scale operations such as establishing air superiority over a region. Today, military tactics are employed at all levels of command, from individual and group up to entire armed forces. Indeed, the units used in warfare have always been a reflection of current military tactics, and their size and composition have varied accordingly. In British terminology, military tactics involving naval forces are often called "naval tactics" (cf. usage of military). A room is an enclosed space in a house or other building. ... Air superiority is defined in the NATO Glossary as That degree of dominance in the air battle of one force over another that permits the conduct of operations by the former and its related land, sea, and air forces at a given time and place without prohibitive interference by the...

Common military tactics include frontal assaults, attempts to flank the enemy, keeping troops in reserve and the use of ambushes. Often deception in the form of camouflage, or misdirection using decoys, are used to confuse the enemy. The military tactic of frontal assault is a direct, hostile movement of forces towards enemy forces in a large number, in an attempt to overwhelm the enemy. ... A flank is the side of either a horse or a military unit. ... An ambush is a long established military tactic in which an ambushing force uses concealment to attack an enemy that passes its position. ... Anolis caroliensis showing blending camouflage and counter-shading. ... A decoy is usually a person, device or event meant as a distraction to conceal what an individual or a group might be looking for. ...

See also

• Infantry Minor Tactics
• List of military tactics
• military doctrine
• military history
• modern naval tactics
• operational warfare
• warfare