Dismounted Reconnaissance Troop - Army Electronic Publications ...

Chapter 3
Reconnaissance Operations
Focused reconnaissance enhances the ability of friendly units to operate inside the
enemy's decision cycle and allows for commanders to retain the freedom of
maneuver. Reconnaissance is the key to assisting the commander in determining an
overall picture of the threat and which COA the threat will likely employ. It helps the
squadron commander and staff to determine threat strong points and vulnerabilities
and where intelligence gaps exist. Information collected by reconnaissance forces is
processed into actionable intelligence by the squadron and IBCT staff allowing
commanders to concentrate efforts in full-spectrum operations. This chapter discusses
the fundamentals, planning, and execution of reconnaissance operations for the DRT.
SECTION I – TEXT REFERENCES
3-1. Table 3-1 consolidates the references to additional information.
Table 3-1. Guide for subjects referenced in text
Subject References
The Infantry Rifle Company FM 3-21.10
Operations FM 3-0
Reconnaissance and Scout Platoon FM 3-20.98
Reconnaissance and Cavalry Squadron FM 3-20.96
Combined Arms Operations in Urban Terrain FM 3-06.11
Army Personnel Recovery FM 3-50.1
Personnel Recovery JP 3-50
Long-Range Surveillance Unit Operations FM 3-55.93
Tactics FM 3-90
SECTION II – RECONNAISSANCE OVERVIEW
3-2. Reconnaissance and aggressive direct combat are mutually exclusive concepts. This is unequivocally
true for lighter reconnaissance units, such as the DRT, which lack the protection of combat units.
Reconnaissance units employed in a direct combat role (assaulting bunkers, seizing terrain, raiding
buildings) are not conducting reconnaissance for the commander. Combat information will certainly result
from such actions, but this is more than offset by what is lost in terms of vehicles destroyed, casualties
incurred, and other reconnaissance missions neglected. Reconnaissance units are designed to gather
information through reconnaissance. At times they may be required to conduct target acquisition or target
interdiction within the capabilities of their particular unit.
DISMOUNTED RECONNAISSANCE TROOP MISSIONS
3-3. The primary missions of the DRT, in support of squadron and brigade operations, include the
following three forms of reconnaissance:
Zone.
Area.
Route.
16 November 2010 ATTP 3-20.97 3-1