Dismounted Reconnaissance Troop - Army Electronic Publications ...

Chapter 4
terrain, since the ability to execute the mission can be affected by weather, station time, and terrain. Sensors
complement ground forces and provide extended depth, some width, and increased flexibility to the
operation.
Rear Boundary of the Screening Force
4-28. The rear limit of the DRT is depicted as a boundary. Responsibility for the area between the
protected force and the DRT rear boundary lies with the protected force. This boundary reflects time and
space requirements, clearly delineates terrain responsibilities, and provides depth required by the troop. The
boundary can also serve as an RHO line to control the passage of responsibility for the threat to the
protected force.
Counterreconnaissance and Engagement Criteria
4-29. A thorough understanding of the composition of threat reconnaissance elements enables the DRT to
accurately determine likely reconnaissance avenues of approach and how best to acquire them. This drives
the task organization and positioning of forces. The reconnaissance squadron’s IPB focuses on identifying
the type and quantity of threat reconnaissance and security forces, as well as their potential avenues of
approach. The troop commander or XO works with the squadron staff during mission analysis to identify
these avenues of approach. The higher commander’s guidance specifically defines the troop’s engagement
and destruction criteria for counterreconnaissance.
Movement to Occupy the Screen
4-30. Time and threat situation determine the method of occupying the screen. There are three primary
methods available to occupy the screen.
Zone reconnaissance
4-31. If the situation is vague or more information is required on the terrain between the protected force
and the screen line and time is available, the DRT conducts a zone reconnaissance to the designated screen
line. This method is time-consuming, but provides the most security. It identifies any threat in the AO and
familiarizes the troop with the terrain.
Infiltration
4-32. If the threat situation is vague, or the threat is known to be in the AO, and the intent is not to make
contact with the threat prior to occupying the screen, the DRT infiltrates to get to the screen line.
Infiltration provides the optimum level of stealth, but is also time-consuming and less secure for the DRT
because it offers less flexibility in massing combat power.
Tactical Foot March
4-33. If there is an accurate picture of the threat situation or time is short, the troop may conduct a tactical
foot march to an RP behind the templated screen and deploy from there to the screen line.
Control of Displacement to Subsequent Positions
4-34. The squadron headquarters uses phase lines and other GCMs to control the operation and orient the
screen; it also defines the event criteria triggering displacement. Since displacement to subsequent positions
is event-driven, phase lines serve to guide the DRT commander’s planning and orientation for displacement
to subsequent screen lines during the execution of the screen mission.
Possible Follow-on Missions
4-35. To facilitate planning and future operations, the troop’s next likely mission is defined with enough
information to allow the commander to begin planning and preparing for it. Providing this information also
helps define the endstate of the screen mission.
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