Dismounted Reconnaissance Troop - Army Electronic Publications ...

Chapter 3
MULTIDIMENSIONAL ASPECT OF RECONNAISSANCE
3-92. Because of its composition and capabilities, the troop is ideally suited to conduct the
multidimensional aspects of reconnaissance in urban areas. To do this successfully, however, leaders and
Soldiers must understand the situation at regional, local, and neighborhood levels during stability
operations. They can then develop a sense for their AO similar to the awareness of a “police officer on the
beat” in any given community policing program. Scouts must learn how the urban area operates and how to
identify sources of power or influence. Examples of this information include the following:
Formal and informal political power structure.
Police, secret police, and intelligence agencies.
Criminal organizations.
Military and paramilitary structures.
Key terrain.
Sensitivities of the populace.
CONSIDERATIONS
3-93. Considerations for UO include:
Conduct aggressive reconnaissance operations.
Understand the human dimension.
Distinguish between noncombatants from combatants.
Avoid the attrition approach.
Control what is essential.
Maximize effects without unnecessary collateral damage.
Conduct close combat.
Conduct transition control.
SECTION VII – ACTIONS ON CONTACT
3-94. Actions on contact include knowing the forms of contact, knowing the steps for conducting actions
on contact, and understanding the time required to conduct actions on contact. The DRT analyzes the threat
throughout the TLP to identify likely contact situations that may occur during an operation. Intelligence
reports from the squadron help to clarify the threat’s COAs and likelihood of contact. Through planning
and rehearsals conducted during TLP, and through the use of the IPB, the DRT commander develops and
refines his COAs to deal with probable threat contact or actions. The IPB helps prepare the commander for
contact to include threat composition and actions. This in turn assists the commander in formulating his
COA and reaction to contact with threat elements. Troop actions must be in concert with the current ROE
and any engagement/disengagement criteria set forth in a higher OPORD. Dismounted reconnaissance
troop elements must understand what actions are appropriate to include self-defense measures.
FORMS OF CONTACT
3-95. Contact occurs when elements of the troop encounter any situation that requires an active or passive
response to the threat. These situations may entail one or more of the following eight forms of contact:
Visual contact or observation.
Physical contact (direct fire) with a threat force.
Indirect fire contact.
Contact with threat obstacles or those of unknown origin.
Contact with threat or unknown aircraft.
Situations involving CBRN hazards.
Situations involving electronic warfare tactics.
3-24 ATTP 3-20.97 16 November 2010