USMC Infantry Knowledge Practice Test 2025 – The All-in-One Guide to Master Your Infantry Exam!

In a military context, the acronym SOSR stands for Suppress, Obscure, Secure, and Reduce. Each of these terms represents a tactical action that can be employed during operations, particularly in infantry engagements.

Suppress refers to the action of using firepower to limit an enemy's ability to engage in combat effectively. This is crucial in maintaining a tactical advantage and allowing friendly forces to maneuver or perform other necessary actions without being impeded by enemy fire.

While obscure, secure, and reduce are also important tactical actions, suppressing the enemy is fundamental to creating the conditions for success on the battlefield. Obscuring involves creating concealment or deception measures, securing refers to controlling a specific area, and reducing involves diminishing the enemy's strength or capabilities, but without the immediate and forceful effect of suppression, those actions might be less effective in a direct engagement scenario.