Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of offensive operations?

In the context of military operations, offensive operations are defined by certain characteristics that enhance their effectiveness. One of the key features is the element of surprise, which aims to catch the enemy off guard, giving the attacking forces a significant advantage. Concentration refers to the ability to concentrate forces and resources at critical points to achieve a decisive effect, and tempo involves maintaining a rapid pace of operations to keep the enemy unable to react effectively.

Defensiveness, however, is fundamentally opposite to the principles of offensive operations. Offensive operations focus on taking the initiative and seizing the advantage in combat, whereas defensiveness is about holding ground and reacting to enemy actions. This explains why the characteristic associated with offensiveness is not defensiveness, making it the correct answer to identify what does not belong in the context of offensive operations.