Which of the following is NOT among the four basic breaching methods?

• A. Chemical
• B. Thermal
• C. Manual/Mechanical
• D. Ballistic

Answer: (A)

Breaching a structure is taught in four core approaches because they cover the most reliable, repeatable ways to create an entry quickly and with control: mechanical means apply physical force or leverage to defeat the door or its frame; ballistic means use breaching rounds to break through; thermal means apply heat to soften, burn, or cut through the material; explosive means use charges to create a controlled opening. Chemical methods aren’t listed as one of these core categories because they rely on chemical reactions that can be slow, unpredictable, and carry higher risk of collateral damage or unintended effects in many environments. They also require specialized agents and conditions, making them less universally applicable in time-critical entries. For those reasons, chemical does not fit as one of the four basic breaching methods.