FM 17-98 SCOUT PLATOON

The scouts that are not in contact temporarily halt in covered terrain, monitor the incoming reports, and plot the
situation on their maps. Once they determine that they cannot be influenced by the enemy in contact, they continue
their mission with the platoon leader’s approval. The platoon leader or PSG relays the contact report to the
commander, followed as soon as possible by a spot report and updates.
Step 2 - Evaluate and develop the situation
The scouts next concentrate on defining what they are up against. If they have not sent a spot report to this point, they
initially focus on getting enough information to send one. If they have not been detected by the enemy and time is
available, the scouts reconnoiter the enemy position, emphasizing stealth and dismounted reconnaissance.
If the enemy is aware of their presence, the scouts use a combination of mounted and dismounted reconnaissance, as
well as reconnaissance by fire. Dismounted reconnaissance will be conducted to get detailed information on enemy
dispositions. Mounted reconnaissance will be used to move additional assets into the area to support the scout element
in contact.
Indirect and direct fires are used to suppress the enemy while scouts maneuver to get information. The scouts attempt
to confirm or determine in detail enemy size, composition, activity, orientation, and weapon system locations. They
search for AT ditches, minefields, wire, or other obstacles that could force friendly forces into a fire sack. Scouts find
the flanks of the enemy position and look for other enemy elements that could provide mutual support to the position.
Once the scouts determine what they are up against, they update their spot report.
Step 3 - Choose a course of action
Once the element in contact has developed the situation and the platoon leader has enough information to make a
decision, he selects a COA that is within the capabilities of the platoon, that allows the scouts to continue the
reconnaissance as quickly as possible, and that supports the commander’s concept of the operation. He considers
various possible COAs, including the six discussed in the following paragraphs.
Disengage from enemy contact. The scout platoon cannot conduct its mission if it becomes decisively engaged by the
enemy. Should the platoon become decisively engaged, it must have a plan on how to break contact with the enemy.
As a general rule, the platoon, section, or squad should disengage from the enemy as early in the contact as possible.
This will allow for continuation of the mission and reduce the chance of any loss of combat power.
At platoon level, OPs gain contact with the enemy main body, then report and prepare to displace to successive
positions. The platoon members occupying the OPs should report the enemy contact to the overwatching vehicles and
to the platoon leader, requesting permission to return to the vehicles. When permission has been granted, they use
covered and concealed routes back to the vehicle positions and remount the vehicles.
When the enemy force reaches the OPs’ break point (the point at which the OPs must displace or risk detection and/or
engagement by the enemy), the OPs pass off responsibility for tracking the enemy to other OPs in depth. The platoon
then displaces its OPs to successive positions in depth while maintaining contact with the enemy.
Once the initial contact has been reported to higher headquarters and the order to break contact has been given,
disengagement should be executed with one section or squad acting as overwatch for the displacing section/squad as it
moves. The section or squad that moves first will keep its weapon systems oriented on the enemy as it uses covered
and concealed routes to move to a designated rally point that precludes enemy observation and provides cover and
concealment. This element may also use on-board smoke generators or smoke grenades to cover its movement. The
overwatching section/squad provides suppressive fires, both direct and indirect, to cover the movement of the
displacing section/squad.
Once the displacing section/squad has arrived at the rally point, it takes up defensive positions and reports its arrival to
the overwatch section/squad. The overwatching element then calls for protective fires and uses an alternate covered
and concealed route to move to the rally point. When the entire platoon or section has moved back to the rally point, it
consolidates and reorganizes, reports its status to the higher headquarters, and continues the mission. Figure 8-24
illustrates a situation in which the scout platoon breaks contact by sections.