What does engaging in combat entail?

Engaging in combat primarily involves exposure to direct or indirect enemy fire. This aspect directly relates to the physical and tactical elements of warfare, where forces confront each other, often leading to intense situations that can affect soldiers' safety and operational effectiveness. When troops engage in combat, they face the risk of being targeted by the enemy's weaponry, which can either be in the form of direct attacks or more indirect threats like artillery or airstrikes.

The other aspects mentioned, such as diplomatic negotiations and conflict resolution, while important in the broader context of military operations and strategy, do not pertain to the act of engaging in combat. These elements can occur before or after combat engagements, but they are not actions typically considered part of the fighting phase. Additionally, maintaining supply lines is crucial for sustaining operations and logistics, but it does not directly involve direct engagement with the enemy in a combat scenario. Therefore, these activities, although essential to military operations, do not define the act of engaging in combat itself.