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Previous: 6-184: Actions on the Reconnaissance Objective
6-186. Information requirements are the basis for the development of the CCIRs, the answers to which are needed to allow commanders to make tactical decisions. The controlling headquarters must clearly define the information requirements it wants the patrol to determine. The patrol leader must clarify these information requirements prior to conducting the mission. Table 6-2 (page 6-48) illustrates an example matrix used to capture the information requirements for the headquarters’ collection plan.
6-187. Information requirement can be enemy-oriented, terrain-oriented, civil-oriented, or a combination. It is important the leader clarifies the requirement prior to conducting the reconnaissance. Knowing this orientation enables the leader to demonstrate the initiative required to meet the higher leader’s information requirement.
6-188. Terrain-oriented information requirements focus on determining information on the terrain of a particular area, route, or zone. While the unit looks for enemy presence, the overall intent is to determine the terrain’s usefulness for friendly purposes. For example, the company commander may send out a squad-sized reconnaissance patrol to identify a location for the company’s future AA. The patrol leader may send out a squad-sized reconnaissance patrol to obtain information about a bridge on a proposed infiltration route.
6-189. Enemy-oriented information requirements focus on finding a particular enemy force. The purpose of enemy-oriented reconnaissance is to confirm or deny planning assumptions. While the unit may be given a terrain feature as a reference point, the overall intent is to find the enemy. This means if the enemy is not in the location referenced, the leader must demonstrate the initiative to find the enemy force within his given parameters.
6-190. Civil-oriented information requirements focus on determining information on the human environment in a particular area, route, or zone. A civil-oriented information requirement is a larger, vaguer category requiring more clarification than the other two categories. Examples of civil-oriented information requirements are the physical infrastructures; service infrastructures such as sewer, water, electric, and trash; the political situation; demographics; and dislocated civilians.
Next: 6-191: Observation Plan
Go Back To: U.S. Army FM 3-21.8: The Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad