Captains Career Course Practice Exam 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

The correct characteristic of the offense described as the relative speed and rhythm of operations is tempo. In military operations, tempo refers to the pace at which forces conduct their activities, influencing how quickly they can execute plans, react to enemy actions, and adapt to changing circumstances on the battlefield. A higher tempo may overwhelm the enemy, making it difficult for them to respond effectively, while a lower tempo can give the enemy time to regroup and counter-attack. Understanding and controlling tempo is crucial for maintaining the initiative and effectiveness in offensive operations.

The other characteristics mentioned relate to different aspects of combat engagements. Audacity involves boldness and taking risks to achieve objectives, and concentration refers to the massing of forces to achieve decisive effects. Surprise focuses on the element of unpredictability in an attack, aiming to catch the enemy off guard. While these are all important characteristics in their own right, they do not specifically describe the aspect of speed and rhythm that tempo encapsulates.