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Previous: 6-176: Fundamentals of Reconnaissance

6-177. The reconnaissance element’s task is to obtain information requirements for the purposes of facilitating tactical decision making. The primary means is R&S enabled by tactical movement and continuous, accurate reporting. The reconnaissance patrol leader decides how in-depth the reconnaissance will be. A thorough and accurate reconnaissance is important. However, avoiding detection is equally important.

6-178. Below are some of the additional tasks normally associated with a reconnaissance element:

• Reconnoiter all terrain within the assigned area, route, or zone.
• Determine trafficability routes or potential avenues of approach (based on the personnel or vehicles to be used on the route).
  • Inspect and classify all bridges, overpasses, underpasses, and culverts on the route.
  • Locate fords or crossing sites near bridges on the route.
• Determine the time it takes to traverse the route.
• Reconnoiter to the limit of direct fire range.
  • Terrain influencing the area, route, or zone.
  • Built-up areas.
  • Lateral routes.
• Within capabilities, reconnoiter natural and man-made obstacles to ensure mobility along the route. Locate a bypass or reduce/breach, clear, and mark—
  • Lanes.
  • Defiles and other restrictive/severely restrictive terrain.
  • Minefields.
  • Contaminated areas.
  • Log obstacles such as abatis, log cribs, stumps, and posts.
  • AT ditches.
  • Wire entanglements.
  • Fills, such as a raised railroad track.
  • Other obstacles along the route.
• Determine the size, location, and composition of society/human demographics.
• Identify essential infrastructure influencing military operations, including the following:
  • Political, government, and religious organizations and agencies.
  • Physical facilities and utilities (such as power generation, transportation, and communications networks).
• Find all threat forces influencing movement along the area, route, or zone.
• Report information.

Note. Infantry platoons and squads typically do not have the expertise to complete a full technical inspection of bridges, roads, and culverts; this task normally requires Engineer augmentation. Infantry platoons and squads do, however; have the ability to conduct a general assessment.

Next: 6-179: Security Elements

Go Back To: U.S. Army FM 3-21.8: The Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad