7-16. A scheme of maneuver expands the commander’s intent and describes a method of achieving the desired outcome. It describes this in terms of where, when, how, and with what offensive activity needs to occur to achieve the desired end state. Commanders select a scheme of maneuver that seeks to gain a position of advantage over the enemy to rapidly close with the enemy and destroy the enemy’s will to resist. Friendly forces following a scheme of maneuver may strike against the enemy’s front, flank, or rear and may come from the ground, from the air, from space, from cyberspace, from the EMS, from the information environment, or from a combination of these approaches. Commanders determine the specific form of maneuver or the combination of forms after considering the mission variables (see paragraphs 7-95 through 7-119 for a discussion of forms of maneuver). Commanders select a scheme of maneuver designed to seize the objective most rapidly while facilitating subsequent operations. Surprise and indirect approaches are important considerations when selecting the scheme of maneuver.