FM 17-98 SCOUT PLATOON

Scouts maintain surveillance from a series of OPs along a screen line or in depth. The screen line, normally a phase
line on a map, designates the most forward location of the OPs. Commanders must carefully weigh time and distance
factors when choosing where to place this line. If the scout platoon leader does not receive a screen line location from
his commander, he should ask for it. In executing a screen mission, scouts conduct active patrolling to extend their
observation range or to cover dead space and the area between OPs. Unless they have to, they do not fight with their
direct fire weapons. Indirect fire is their primary means of engaging the enemy. They use direct fire primarily for selfdefense.
When planning a screen mission, the scout platoon leader uses the critical task requirements covered in the following
discussion as a guide to prioritizing and sequencing the mission. He must address each requirement.
Conduct surveillance of assigned areas
The first task that must be accomplished is to provide surveillance of the assigned area of operations.
Surveillance requirements. Generally, scouts are assigned to screen along a lateral line (the screen line). This can be
misleading, however. The scout screen is actually set to observe specific avenues of approach or, more specifically,
NAIs. The screen line merely indicates the limit of the forward positioning of the scouts. Along with the screen line
graphic, the scout platoon leader must have an event template/matrix; he may also have a decision support template.
The areas the platoon is tasked to observe should be identified in either the reconnaissance and security plan the
platoon leader receives or in the OPORD from higher headquarters. If the platoon does not receive an IPB product, the
higher OPORD must specifically state where it must focus the screening operation. If the platoon is assigned multiple
requirements, the higher headquarters must prioritize them.
In a task force, the scout’s understanding of his commander’s intent and guidance is the most critical aspect of
planning the screen mission. More important than the specifics of where to orient is the focus on what to look for.
There are three choices for this focus: the enemy main body, the enemy reconnaissance effort, or both. The intent
should specify which one the scout will focus on or, if both are required (as is often the case), which has priority.
This guidance will then determine where the platoon will orient and how it will allocate resources. If the commander’s
priority is locating the main body, the scout will focus most of his assets on the main avenues of approach and accept
risk on the reconnaissance avenues of approach (RAA). If the commander’s priority is on counterreconnaissance, the
scout will put priority on the RAA and accept some risk on the main avenue. If the commander wants both, with equal
priority, the scout must plan to transition from the RAA to the main avenue at a designated point in the battle. The
commander will usually order this transition based on the enemy situation.
NOTE: An enemy RAA may mirror or parallel the intended route of an enemy maneuver force, or it may follow a
route that facilitates observation of key terrain or friendly forces but is unrelated to the enemy scheme of
maneuver.
Surveillance assets. Once the scout platoon leader has a thorough understanding of what his surveillance requirements
are, he must next determine what assets he has available to execute these requirements. Availability of assets is
dependent on how long the screen must remain in place and how the platoon is task organized. Among the assets that
can enhance the platoon’s surveillance capability are GSR, infantry squads, tank platoons or companies, engineer
reconnaissance teams, artillery forward observers (FO), and aviation assets. If the screen will be of short duration (less
than 12 hours), individual scout squads can emplace and man separate OPs. If the duration of the screen is unknown or
longer than 12 hours, the platoon leader must consider assigning a two-vehicle section (CFV scout platoon) or threevehicle
section (HMMWV scout platoon) for each OP to facilitate continuous operations. Refer to Chapter 6 of this
manual for further details on air/ground reconnaissance integration.
Surveillance techniques. To ensure that the critical task of surveillance of assigned reconnaissance objectives is
accomplished, the platoon leader and his higher headquarters apply a combination of techniques to make the most
efficient use of their assets. (NOTE: Refer to Chapter 8 of this manual for a discussion of surveillance methods,
including OPs, patrols, and use of electronic and mechanical assets.)
Task organization. The platoon leader will task organize the platoon and any other assigned assets to achieve the
most effective surveillance of an NAI or avenue. He may also employ assets not under his direct control, but rather
under the command of the troop or battalion. As noted, these assets could be tank elements, engineer or infantry
squads, GSR, artillery observers, and aviation assets. (NOTE: When the platoon leader does not control the assets