Dismounted Reconnaissance Troop - Army Electronic Publications ...
Dismounted Reconnaissance Troop - Army Electronic Publications ...
Dismounted Reconnaissance Troop - Army Electronic Publications ...
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Chapter 3<br />
good observation and fields of fire. If the Scouts receive fire from the threat, they return fire, but only with<br />
the intent of breaking direct fire contact.<br />
3-102. The scout or element in contact sends a contact report to the PL and follows as soon as possible<br />
with a SPOTREP using the SALUTE format (size, activity, location, unit identification, time, and<br />
equipment). If the scout or element in contact is unable to report or cannot report quickly, another team in<br />
the section must report.<br />
3-103. Scouts that are not in contact temporarily halt in covered terrain, monitor the incoming reports, and<br />
plot the situation on their maps. Once they determine that they cannot be influenced by the threat or are not<br />
needed to support the element in contact, they continue their mission with the PL’s approval. The PL or<br />
PSG relays the contact report to the commander, followed as soon as possible by a SPOTREP and updates.<br />
STEP 2 – EVALUATE AND DEVELOP THE SITUATION<br />
3-104. The Scouts next concentrate on defining what they are up against. If they have not sent a<br />
SPOTREP to this point, they initially focus on getting enough information to send one. If they have not<br />
been detected by the threat and time is available, the Scouts reconnoiter the threat position, emphasizing<br />
stealth and the use of additional assets such as SUASs. If the threat is aware of their presence, the Scouts<br />
conduct reconnaissance to get detailed information on threat dispositions.<br />
3-105. When direct fire contact occurs, the reconnaissance or scout platoon employs indirect and direct<br />
fires to suppress or fix the threat while maneuvering to get information. The Scouts attempt to confirm or<br />
determine threat size, composition, activity, orientation, and weapon system locations. Once the Scouts<br />
determine what they are up against, the PL updates the SPOTREP.<br />
STEP 3 – CHOOSE A COURSE OF ACTION AND MANEUVER THE FORCE<br />
3-106. Developing the situation is a critical step in choosing the correct COA and providing an accurate,<br />
timely report to the commander. Once the DRT commander has enough information to make a decision, he<br />
selects a COA that is within the capabilities of the troop; that allows the DRT to continue the<br />
reconnaissance as quickly as possible; and that supports the commander’s concept of the operation. He<br />
considers various possible COAs, based on well-developed tactics, techniques or procedures, and battle<br />
drills, to react appropriately to the types of contact the platoon may encounter. At a minimum, the platoon<br />
must rehearse and be ready to execute these potential COAs:<br />
Disengage from threat or contact.<br />
Maintain contact and bypass.<br />
Maintain contact to support an attack on an inferior force.<br />
Conduct an attack against an inferior force.<br />
Conduct a hasty defense.<br />
Conduct RHO.<br />
Conduct BHO, if applicable.<br />
3-107. Once the platoon in contact has developed the situation and the DRT commander has enough<br />
information to make a decision, he selects a COA. He ensures that the COA is within the capabilities of the<br />
troop, that it allows the platoons to continue the reconnaissance as quickly as possible, and that it supports<br />
the squadron commander’s concept of the operation. The DRT commander should consider all available<br />
COAs. Once he decides on a COA, he recommends the action to the squadron commander, providing<br />
information on how the DRT COA will affect the squadron’s situation. (For further details on each of these<br />
COAs, see FM 3-20.98.)<br />
STEP 4 – EXECUTE THE COURSE OF ACTION<br />
3-108. If the DRT commander has anticipated the threat situation the platoon is reporting, he will already<br />
have addressed the contingency in the OPORD and given guidance on which COA the platoon should<br />
execute. In such a case, the PL can evaluate the situation, choose the predetermined COA consistent with<br />
the commander’s intent or concept, and execute it without further guidance. The DRT commander keeps<br />
the squadron commander informed of what he is doing as he executes the COA.<br />
STEPS 5 – RECOMMEND A COURSE OF ACTION TO THE HIGHER COMMANDER<br />
3-109. Once the DRT commander selects a COA, keeping in mind his squadron commander’s intent, he<br />
reports it to his commander, who has the option of disapproving it based on its impact on his mission. To<br />
avoid delay, unit TACSOP may provide automatic approval of certain actions.<br />
3-26 ATTP 3-20.97 16 November 2010