Tag Archives: Recon

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A Sniper’s Relevancy

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The term “Sniper” became popular during WWI and the mystic appeal has grown since.  A single shot can be more devastating than a burst from a machine gun or artillery fire.  ATP 3-21.20 Infantry Battalion describes the sniper squad as the most tactically and technically proficient Infantry soldiers.  They are especially valuable when fighting an enemy that tries to blend in with the local population.  Snipers are most effective when leaders in the supported unit understand sniper teams’ capabilities, limitations, and tactical employment.  Unfortunately, many leaders don’t fully understand the benefits of using snipers to their fullest potential.  But this isn’t just the fault of commanders…we – the sniper squad leaders and community – own some of that blame.

Sniper team leader assesses the environment before executing a training scenario. U.S. Army photo submitted by the author.
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The CBRN RECCE Platoon

Training and Preparing for JRTC and Beyond

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In December 2017, as part of the 3BCT, 101st ABN (AASLT) Brigade Field Training Exercise, my Dismounted Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and (CBRN) Reconnaissance (RECCE) Platoon received a mission to support an infantry battalion task force air assault operation to seize an objective with an underground storage facility for chemical weapons. In planning and executing this training mission, we validated many aspects of our individual and team collective training leading up to this BCT collective training exercise. We also identified many of the challenges and gaps in our training both internal to the CBRN RECCE Platoon and ways the Brigade Engineer Battalion and the BCT could facilitate better training.

Army Reserve and National Guard soldiers; engineers; chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) specialists; as well as medical units conduct Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) training to help prepare them to respond to a CBRN catastrophe at home or abroad. (Sgt. 1st Class Brent Powell)

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Reconnaissance Done Right

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The scout platoon’s fundamental role is to conduct forceful or stealthy reconnaissance that satisfies information requirements to set conditions for successful operations of the supported unit. Scout platoons are the primary collection asset in the cavalry troop, and the organic reconnaissance unit available to infantry and armor battalions. This article highlights a narrative of a concept developed to maximize success at NTC and the discussion of how to utilize scouts and snipers for future force designs, and a way to cut out redundancy that plagues our institutional courses within the Army.

Army Staff Sgt. Mathew Fox waits to engage a target in the live-fire stalk event during the 2012 International Sniper Competition at the U.S. Army Sniper School on Fort Benning, Ga., Nov. 3, 2012. Fox, a sniper, is assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division’s 3rd Brigade, 2nd Battalion, 69 Armor Regiment. (U.S. Army photo by Ashley Cross)
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So You Have a Sniper Problem?

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Months after leaving Battalion Command, a former sniper of ours reached out to me for advice. He had just PCSd to a new unit and joined the their reconnaissance platoon. In his assessment, the battalion’s sniper section was non-existent and the unit’s advanced marksmanship program was uninspired. To make matters worse, the unit was deploying in about a year. He saw an opportunity in that the unit was about to receive the Army’s newly fielded M2010s, which he had already mastered in our unit. What follows is the advice I gave him over the course of a few emails. I have added additional ideas recently provided by my coauthor, Sgt. 1st Class Brian Moran who has been my trusted advisor for years on this topic.

U.S. Army photo by Cav Scout and NTC O/C/T Master Sgt. Luis Coriano at luis-coriano.pixel.com and on IG @coris_fine_photography
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NTC Update (NOV 19)

Scout Platoon & Cavalry Troop Observations & Best Practices

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Reconnaissance formations constitute an invaluable asset on a modern battlefield. The notion that sophisticated enemies, equipped with air defense, electronic attack, as well as cyber capabilities will just allow us to remotely sense their actions prior to commitment of our forces is quickly fleeting. Responsible for answering Commander’s Priority Intelligence Requirements during either reconnaissance or security operations, Cavalry Troops and Scout Platoons often have less time than other maneuver units before being required to act. For the average Scout Platoon or Cavalry Troop, simple tactical mistakes can have catastrophic effects on a larger formation’s ability to understand the situation or maneuver effectively against a determined enemy. The ability to operate continuously utilizing sound SOPS, basic maneuver techniques and tactics at the crew, section, and platoon level, as well as the ability to share information collected are just of the few tasks these units must do exceedingly well to accomplish their mission. 

U.S. Army Soldier assigned to 3rd Cavalry regiment, “Brave Rifles” Fort Hood, TX, surveys the area with a FGM-148 Javelin on Oct. 27, 2019. (Photo: Spc. Jessica Rutledge)
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Reconnaissance Guidance (SBCT Recon)

The Company Leader TDG 19-11

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No rest for the wicked…nor for the recon squadron. After a 24-hour fight for Ujen and Razish, the infantry squadrons are consolidating and reorganizing. They are establishing defensive positions and preparing for the 111th BTG’s integrated attack. The regimental staff is conducting MDMP and developing their operations order. Regiment published WARNORD 1 last night. As the sun rises over the central corridor of Donovian occupied Atropia, the Brigade Headquarters is preparing to publish WARNORD 2 – plenty of time for the infantry squadrons before their BPT defend mission. But, to the recon squadron WARNORD 2 means it is time to cross LD.

(U.S. Army Photo retrieved from 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division Facebook Page.)
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What Is Commander’s Reconnaissance Guidance?

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Soon the Army’s cavalry scouts will be called upon to execute reconnaissance on the multi-domain battlefield (MDB). We will face enemy forces who possess peer-level capabilities across most, if not all, warfighting functions. Now, more than ever, the ability to execute mission command and disciplined initiative is critical to successful execution of combat operations. For the scout, this requires reliable operational graphics and a well-crafted commander’s reconnaissance guidance. The scenario below is a hypothetical portrayal of cavalry scouts operating in a near future combat environment with clear guidance and graphics.

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Understanding the Tempo of Reconnaissance

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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.

Army National Guard Infantrymen from the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team seize a town from the enemy, June 7, 2019, at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California. Seizing the key terrain enabled the 116th CBCT to maneuver pass the previously contested area. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Mason Cutrer)
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Fight for Information (ABCT PLT Recon)

The Company Leader TDG 19-06

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You are a scout (recon) platoon leader in Apache Troop, 5-7 CAV, 1st ABCT, 3rd ID. You and your troop are conducting a zone reconnaissance in Donovian occupied territory of Atropia, from PL MIAMI (Whale Gap) north to PL BOSTON (the northern wall). Over the previous two weeks, your brigade has traded blows with elements of the 111th Brigade Tactical Group (BTG) in your fight to liberate Atropia. Your squadron has been critical in answering Brigade PIRs and informing the Brigade Commander’s decisions. But now isn’t the time to hit the breaks. As your infantry battalions shift their movement northward, it’s again time for you to cross LD in advance to provide space in time and fight for information.

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What’s So Hard about Cavalry Anyway?

Finding, Tracking, and Fighting in Depth

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What is so hard about cavalry? Nothing, especially. It’s just different. To be frank, cavalry is not more dangerous or more important than other tactical enablers. It’s not even that mystical. Becoming a good cavalry trooper and leader is pretty simple: be better and faster than anyone else at understanding when, where, and why you are, within your recon and security operation. In other words, you need to be able to quickly—and without orders—recognize how newly discovered enemy, terrain, and civil considerations relate to friendly troops and time available…and what all that means to your mission. Knowing when to switch between the fundamentals of reconnaissance to the fundamentals of security (and back again) is a developed instinct.

Idaho Army National Guard Soldiers conducts platoon live-fire gunnery qualification, Feb.14, 2019, at the Orchard Combat Training Center, Idaho. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Mason Cutrer)