4-19. Decisive action is the continuous, simultaneous execution of offensive, defensive, and stability operations or defense support of civil authorities tasks (ADP 3-0). The purpose of decisive action is to ensure that all major aspects of an operation are accounted for and that operations consider offensive, defensive, and stability or defense support of civil authorities tasks as inherent tasks in all operations. Decisive action ensures that operations fully account for the impact of civilians on operations and their required support in an area of operations. Decisive action also ensures that operations dominated by stability tasks do not overlook the inherent danger in all operations, by considering the need for offensive and defensive tasks.