How to Conduct Three Types of Reconnaissance
In any professional military fighting force, there is necessity of adequate and quality reconnaissance. Reconnaissance is often the best basis of decision-making within a battlefield setting. It determines the primary, alternate, contingency, and emergency (or simply PACE) plans that any good ground commander would formulate before taking action. With that being said, the quality of reconnaissance can have either catastrophic or life-saving results.
This blog post will discuss three very generic methods of conducting reconnaissance (or a recon). In order to accomplish this, the recon is conducted by a platoon-size element operating out of a patrol base. Recon teams will include at minimum a Rifleman (RM) and Team Leader (TL) or Squad Leader (SL) — two personnel totally. Due to the platoon-size element, the Platoon Leader (PL) can afford to have multiple Recon teams should he or she choose to do so. For this situation, assume the PL has designated four personnel to conduct reconnaissance. The purpose of this reconnaissance is to ensure the line of troops within the Patrol Base (PB) is adequately camouflaged and unrecognizable. Obviously this would be conducted in a hostile environment, therefore noting recent enemy activity, if any, would be integral to the PL’s knowledge of the platoon’s surroundings.
The first type of reconnaissance is simply known as point reconnaissance. A point recon is the simplest method of reconnaissance and takes the least amount of time. However, a point recon offers the least amount of information. One recon team will walk to the center of a squad’s line and begin moving 25–50m away from the PB line. Once the team is far enough away, the team will conduct a prolonged SLLS halt (Stop, Look, Listen, Smell). From this position, the team will spend an amount of time designated by the PL scanning and analyzing the surrounding terrain. Once enough time has gone by, the team will simply return back to the center of the squad line and report back to the PL.
The next type of reconnaissance is a T-method recon. Conducted by either one or two teams, this recon begins at the center of a squad line just like a point recon. The team(s) will move out 25–50m away from the squad line and conduct a SLLS halt. This SLLS halt should last anywhere from three to five minutes or however long it takes for nature to return back to normal. Once the SLLS halt is complete, the team(s) will give a contingency plan to the opposite member(s) then begin a separate recon moving along the axis of the PB squad line. Once 10–25m past the end of the squad line, each member will conduct a SLLS halt in congruence with the timeline shared in the previously mentioned contingency plan. Once the SLLS halt is complete, the members will move back to their designated “centerpoint” and conduct a another SLLS halt being sure to analyze the squad line’s surrounding terrain. Once complete, the team(s) will maneuver back to the squad line and report their findings to the PL.
Last, the final type of reconnaissance is known as apex reconnaissance. A modified version of “clover leaf” reconnaissance, the apex recon is the most effective method of reconnaissance though it takes the most time. Apex reconnaissance provides the PL with the most information about the platoon’s surroundings. The recon team(s) will begin at one apex of the Patrol Base and begin to move 25–50m away from the PB monitoring the integrity of the friendly’s camouflage and position as they go. Once far enough away, the team(s) can conduct a SLLS halt should they choose to do so. They can also move quietly and slowly, analyzing the terrain and surroundings as they go. The team(s) will move in a weaving “in-and-out” manner as if they were tracing the outline of a slithering snake or clover with their path. The team(s) will end their reconnaissance at the next apex of the PB. Once complete, the team(s) will report their findings back to the PL.
It is important to note that reconnaissance should be conducted with the utmost regard to stealth and observation. The recon team members should not be unnecessarily burdened down with excessive ammunition or equipment. Team members should blacken their hands and faces and make it nigh impossible for the enemy to recognize them on color alone. Members need to be properly camouflaged and briefed with the most current information. A good PL will spot check his or her recon team before they head out.
Once the recon is complete, the PL can contemplate his or her PACE plan, and continue the mission.