Which element is NOT part of the eight elements of combat power?

The eight elements of combat power include leadership, fires, movement and maneuver, intelligence, sustainment, command and control, protection, and morale. Morale is indeed one of the critical components as it influences the will to fight and the overall performance of personnel in combat situations.

Retreat, however, is not considered part of combat power. Instead, it often signifies a withdrawal or fallback from combat effectiveness, which contradicts the concept of combat power aimed at sustaining and enhancing operational capability. The emphasis in combat power is on maintaining the capability to fight and achieve objectives, rather than on actions that imply a decrease in fighting effectiveness, such as retreat.

Understanding these components helps clarify the structure and effectiveness of military operations, underlining the importance of morale while distinguishing it from concepts outside of the foundational elements of combat power.