7-130. A commander conducting a movement to contact typically organizes the forward security element into a covering force or an advanced guard to protect the movement of the main body and to develop the situation before committing the main body. This forward security element is normally the unit’s initial main effort. A covering force is task-organized to accomplish specific tasks independent of the main body such as conduct mobility and selected countermobility tasks in accordance with the mission variables. This covering force reports directly to the establishing commander. If it is unable to resource a covering force, a force conducting a movement to contact may use an advance guard in the place of a covering force. The advanced guard accomplishes similar tasks as the covering force, but it must remain with supporting range of the main body, resulting in less protection and reaction time for the main body.