Tempo is the rate of speed and rhythm of military operations over time with respect to the enemy (ADP 3-90). It is related to the capabilities and supporting efforts within an organization. This definition is different than reconnaissance tempo, but equally important to military operations. Tempo controls or alters the rate of the operation to maintain the initiative for offensive operations. Visualization is key to understanding tempo. FM 3-98 illustrates an “X” chart with two sets of tempo: rapid and forceful & stealthy and deliberate. But, there are more tempos available to reconnaissance commanders. Proper understanding and application of tempo are means to mitigate risk and accomplish the reconnaissance objective.
The framework of reconnaissance operations is different than the sequence of offensive, and defensive operations. Although not codified in doctrine, the framework of reconnaissance builds the mission sequentially. This sequence serves as a planning tool, providing subordinates with the commander’s left and right limits.
Let’s simplify reconnaissance planning.
Offense/Defense Operations Sequence (ADP 3-90)
- Gain and maintain threat contact
- Disrupt
- Fix
- Maneuver
- Follow Through
Reconnaissance Framework
- Planning and Preparation
- Infiltration/Insertion
- Counter-reconnaissance
- Transition to Security Operations
- Reconnaissance Handover/Information Collection
- Consolidate and Reorganization
This informal sequence illustrates chronological events necessary to accomplish the mission. Understandably, reconnaissance requires flexibility within the plan. Reconnaissance tempo, applied correctly within the framework, assists in developing those decision points. But remember, tempo operates within the operational timeline and gives guidance to how much time and exposure scouts have to collect and gather detailed information.
Tempo aids commanders to mitigate and assume risk in an informed and deliberate fashion. It gives their subordinates guidance for them to engage, disengage, or displace from contact with the enemy based on the commander’s understanding of the situation. This balances the scale for the art and science of mission command when giving the commander’s reconnaissance guidance to your subordinates. Commanders determine and drive the tempo. When a reconnaissance platoon leader conducts their back brief, ensure that the tempo is realistic, feasible, calculated, and synchronized with the larger reconnaissance operation.
Let’s deep dive into what these tempos mean.
There are two axes according to our chart. The y-axis represents the amount of detail that a scout is going to collect. Detail includes the amount of time it will take for an element to be as thorough as possible and meet all the critical tasks when it comes to certain forms of reconnaissance operations. The x-axis denotes the level of covertness and willingness to fight the enemy to gain this information. Information is raw data that is then analyzed to produce intelligence. The art of gathering and collecting information has higher risks than forming intelligence. Therefore, tempo helps commanders reduce or mitigate certain risks while his or her scouts collect those information requirements.
Rapid and Forceful
Rapid and forceful tempo correlates to gathering information that can be obtained more quickly. All information collection should be complete and be in accordance with the unit reporting standard operating procedures. Rapid also conveys the lack of time as a critical factor within the mission variable (METT-TC). Forceful describes the willingness to fight as a result of not being covert. Commanders must give aggressive or discreet engagement criteria to their subordinates to preserve combat power and avoid decisive engagements.
An example of rapid and forceful tempo is a mounted section conducting a hasty route reconnaissance utilizing a rapid way of calculating a radius of a curve. A hasty route reconnaissance is generally focused on the trafficability of certain routes within a specific time. Scouts generally disregard other critical tasks such as classification of the route, reconnaissance of lateral routes or routes around built up areas. Calculating a radius of a curve helps follow on units identify certain choke points or obstacles that will limit the trafficability of their largest supporting vehicle. This allows the commander to assume risk on certain radius of a curve that would or would not permit the turning radius of their largest supporting vehicle or follow on units. The reconnaissance framework this falls under is during infiltration/insertion and at times during information collection based on the mission variables.
Stealthy and Deliberate
Scouts should move no greater than 1 kilometer per hour when directed to maintain a stealthy and deliberate tempo. This is once again based on the commander’s scheme of information collection, in which the commander provides a descriptive information collection plan. All lateral routes, key terrains, ford sites, and other critical factors will be reconnoitered in accordance with Annex L and the scheme of information collection. This tempo is most applicable during counter reconnaissance near named areas of interest (NAI), target areas of interest (TAI), obstacles, or densely populated areas. This is where commanders provide their priority intelligence requirements (PIR) in accordance with FM 3-98., providing adequate context and information.
Rapid and Stealthy
To some, this is an unfamiliar tempo. To state it simply, this occurs when moving from one point to the next, in a more direct fashion. Collection of information is secondary to stealth; a successfully infiltration or exfiltration is paramount. This is often referred to as little “r”or little reconnaissance in support of the big “R”or big reconnaissance. The mission requires little detail gathering because it lacks reconnaissance objectives and cover/concealment. This happens within the infiltration/insertion sequence after crossing the line of departure.
Forceful and Deliberate
A forceful and deliberate tempo may seem like a contradiction, but upon more careful examination it applies within an area reconnaissance missions such as sensitive site exploitation (SSE). When scouts conduct reconnaissance in densely populated, urban areas, they may conduct cordon operations for more deliberate information collection. Urban operations, no matter how small, are among the riskiest operations. To mitigate risks, commanders specify the information requirements as well as enforce the last time information is of value (LTIOV). Remember, you can’t collect everything; you need to apply a prioritization to your intelligence requirements. One way or another, you will be faced with contact and you and your subordinates must be ready to react.
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Planning for the tempo of reconnaissance operations within the commander’s reconnaissance guidance requires a clear understanding of the nuance. Commanders assess the reconnaissance tempo and apply it within the reconnaissance framework. Ultimately, tempo aids commanders to assume informed and mitigated risks, and maintain a sense of situational awareness on the battlefield.
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