What is an important consideration during military planning for obstacles?

The correct answer highlights the importance of understanding the location and nature of obstacles in military planning. Knowing where obstacles are situated and what types they are—whether they are natural such as rivers and mountains or man-made like barricades or fortified structures—can significantly impact tactical decisions and operational strategies.

This consideration allows commanders to develop effective approaches for maneuvering troops, ensuring logistical support, and planning for potential defensive or offensive operations. Proper assessment of obstacles helps in determining how to utilize them to one's advantage, whether by using them for cover or assessing their role in hindering enemy movement.

Other aspects, like maximizing troop engagement or timing of supply deliveries, are certainly relevant, but they are secondary to understanding the physical environment where the military operations will take place. While natural barriers can be a factor in planning, focusing solely on them limits the planning scope and does not account for the myriad of challenges that could arise from various forms of obstacles, thus emphasizing the necessity of a comprehensive awareness of all potential barriers in the operational area.