FM/C224 - Reconnaissance tactics

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The FM outlines our core skills, policies and guides to ensure every member stands ready for the mission ahead.

The purpose of Reconnaissance units is find, understand and communicate information and intelligence on the enemy ahead of a force to enable informed command decisions. Reconnaissance is a continuous activity focused on reducing uncertainty and answering METT-TC considerations as the situation evolves.

Reconnaissance elements operate ahead of the main force, often without support, and must adapt to changing conditions over time. Their employment is shaped by the need to observe, assess, and reposition as required to maintain relevance and survivability.

The primary value of reconnaissance lies in the recommendations derived from collected information. All team members contribute observations to inform Enemy, Terrain, and Civilian considerations, while the Field Leader makes the final assessment. These recommendations support planning and decision-making rather than directing action.

Gold Standard

• A comprehensive reconnaissance of the Area of Operations (AO), thoroughly exploring all available reconnaissance methods and producing a detailed patrol report. This is a dedicated operation focused solely on intelligence gathering.

Silver Standard

• Only the most critical and obvious terrain features are assessed, with key findings communicated directly to the Field Leader. This involves the reconnaissance team joining the operation early, focusing on essential intel.

Bronze Standard

• Limited to the axis of advance and its immediate surroundings, with information passed to relevant callsigns. Typically involves scouts moving ahead of an advancing force to gather basic intel reporting back to the most relevant callsign. 

The list of relevant intel that could be gathered is non exhaustive as it can be anything that is relevant to the mission but some examples for what each kind of reconnaissance patrol may look for is below:

Area Reconnaissance

• Enemy force size, equipment, likely intentions, and other capabilities.
• Location of enemy bunkers and their sightlines.
• Location and extent of minefields.
• Obstacles such as restrictive terrain and anti-tank defences.
• Potential axis of advance, e.g., bypassing defences using a ditch.
• Dead ground for manoeuvring out of enemy sight.
• Density of woodblocks for concealed movement.
• Good locations for MG support or overwatch squads.
• Locations for friendly logistics.

Route Reconnaissance

• Detailed information about trafficability on the route and adjacent terrain.
• Enemy activity or enemy forces moving along the route.
• Sites for emplacing hasty obstacles to slow enemy movement.
• Obstacles such as bridges, chokepoints, fords, and other barriers.
• Location and condition of bypasses and alternative routes.

Close Target Reconnaissance (CTR)

• Target assessment: size, composition, and capabilities of the enemy.
• Locations of dead ground for manoeuvre.
• Avenues of advance to bypass defences.
• Areas for undetected movement (e.g., dense woodblocks).
• Enemy morale, training, and discipline.

Reconnaissance in Force (RIF)

• Initial estimates of enemy force size and capabilities.
• Avenues of approach and potential exit routes.
• Identification of enemy weaknesses (e.g., gaps in defences).
• Signs of enemy morale, readiness, and discipline.
• Engagement indicators through contact.

Observation Post (OP)

• Monitoring enemy movements, positions, and changes.
• Key sightlines and areas for exploitation.
• Signs of enemy presence through civilian movement or avoidance.
• Locations of enemy defensive positions or weapons.
• Civilians avoiding certain areas indicating IEDs or enemy activity.

Reconnaissance Screen

• Early indicators of enemy movements and intentions.
• Identification of areas for potential delay or blocking enemy forces.
• Observing enemy morale, readiness, and potential vulnerabilities.

• A reconnaissance patrol is not an assault force. It is not tasked with seizing terrain, destroying enemy forces, or holding ground. Prolonged or decisive engagement compromises the mission.
• A reconnaissance patrol is not a force that sits on top of a hill exclusively. It does not rely on obvious, dominant, or silhouetted terrain for observation. Effective reconnaissance uses concealment, standoff, angles, and movement to observe without being detected.
• A reconnaissance patrol is not intended to fix or delay the enemy. If contact occurs, the patrol disengages, breaks contact, and reports rather than attempting to win the fight.
• A reconnaissance patrol is not a security screen. While it provides early warning through reporting, it does not absorb contact or protect the main force through combat.
• A reconnaissance patrol is not unfocused. It does not collect information indiscriminately; reconnaissance is driven by defined information requirements and command intent.

Usually a tasking undertaken by Cavalry Scouts, but can also be performed by dismounts, A reconnaissance screen is a formation or deployment of reconnaissance units positioned forward or to the flanks of a main force to provide early warning, security, and intelligence gathering. It is designed to detect enemy movements, prevent surprise attacks, and ensure the main body has time to react.

Types of Reconnaissance Screens:

• Stationary Screen: Used in defensive operations to observe enemy movements without advancing.
• Moving Screen: Deployed in offensive operations, shifting as the main force advances.
• Flank Screen: Positioned on the sides of the main force to prevent ambushes or surprise attacks.

Key Characteristics of a Reconnaissance Screen:

• Wide Coverage: The screen is spread out over a broad area to maximize observation and detection.
• Early Warning: Provides advance notice of enemy forces approaching, allowing the main force to prepare.
• Stealth & Mobility: Units operate with stealth and are highly mobile, avoiding direct engagement unless necessary.
• Communication & Reporting: Continuous relay of intelligence to the main force to update situational awareness.
• Engagement Rules: Typically, reconnaissance screens avoid combat unless necessary to delay or disrupt enemy advances.

An Observation Post (OP) is a strategically positioned site used for monitoring enemy movements, gathering intelligence, and providing reconnaissance. OPs are typically manned by a small team of scouts or reconnaissance personnel who relay real-time information to a Field Leader. OPs can also be performed by sniper pairs, this is the only type of reconnaissance a sniper team is equipped to carry out.

Types of Observation Post

OPs vary based on mission requirements and duration:

• Temporary OPs: Used for short-term operations and quickly dismantled.
• Permanent OPs: Established for long-term surveillance, sometimes reinforced.
• Overwatch OPs: Positioned to support friendly forces with intelligence or fire support.

Key Characteristics of Observation Posts

OPs are positioned to maximize visibility while minimizing detection. Common locations include:

• Elevated terrain: Hills, rooftops, or ridgelines for a wide field of view.
• Natural cover:  Forested areas, rock formations, or cave systems.
• Urban settings: Abandoned buildings or high vantage points.

Teams use camouflage, silent movement, and secure communication to maintain secrecy.

Operational Importance

OPs play a crucial role in intelligence gathering, target acquisition, and early threat detection. Multiple OPs can be used for a broader surveillance network, improving situational awareness and decision-making.

Reconnaissance in Force (RIF) is a deliberate combat reconnaissance operation where a larger reconnaissance force engages a suspected enemy to provoke a reaction and assess their size, strength, and capabilities. Unlike other reconnaissance missions that prioritize stealth, RIF seeks combat to gather intelligence while maintaining the ability to withdraw at any time.

Key Characteristics of Reconnaissance in Force

• Engagement is Intentional: Unlike traditional reconnaissance, RIF forces initiate contact to test enemy capabilities and in some occasions, to draw them into a prepared ambush or strong point..
• Combat is Not the Primary Goal: Unlike offensive operations, RIF focuses on gathering intelligence rather than defeating the enemy.
• Planned Withdrawal: Retreat is expected, ensuring the force does not get decisively engaged.
• Flexibility in Execution: If significant weaknesses or gaps in enemy defences are identified, the unit may exploit them, but this is not the primary objective. In most cases, the reconnaissance force will withdraw once sufficient intelligence has been gathered.

Maintaining strict command and control is essential to prevent escalation and ensure the ability to disengage effectively.

Close Target Reconnaissance is conducted to confirm detailed information on a specific enemy position or objective in support of an imminent operation. It provides intelligence that cannot be obtained through standoff observation.

Key Characteristics of Close Target Reconnaissance

• Proximity to Target: Conducted close to the objective or enemy position to obtain high‑fidelity information.
• Defined Information Requirements: Focused on specific questions tied directly to the planned operation.
• Limited Duration: Observation periods are kept short to reduce the risk of detection.
• Stealth Over Dominance: Concealment, angles, and standoff are prioritised over occupying obvious vantage points.
• Planned Movement: Infiltration and exfiltration routes are deliberately planned, often using separate routes.

Route reconnaissance is conducted to gather detailed information on a specific route and its adjacent terrain, or to identify potential sites for emplacing obstacles. It focuses on roads, narrow axes like infiltration lanes, or general attack directions, ensuring safe movement and identifying threats.

Key Characteristics of Route Reconnaissance

• Friendly/Enemy Perspective: Scouts assess the route from both friendly and enemy perspectives, considering each side’s capabilities.
• Level of Detail: It can be hasty or more detailed, depending on the time available. In some cases, area reconnaissance of key sections is included.
• Preliminary Planning: The scout leader first conducts map reconnaissance to plan the approach.
• Roads are Danger Areas: Roads are treated as danger areas, with scouts moving parallel to the road using concealment and only approaching them when necessary.
• Exfiltration Route: A separate return route is planned to reduce the risk of detection.

The intelligence gathered helps with METT-TC analysis and shapes the course of action by providing critical insights into terrain, enemy activity, and obstacles along the route.

When enemy information is limited, Area Reconnaissance is used to gather detailed intelligence on terrain, enemy activity, and potential threats within a designated area. This type of stealth-based reconnaissance allows commanders to gain real-time situational awareness before making tactical decisions.

Key Characteristics of Area Reconnaissance

• Flexible Movement : Commanders should move freely and adapt to real-world conditions rather than relying solely on maps.
• Stealth and Concealment: Teams must avoid detection using natural cover, silent movement, and minimal communication.

Area reconnaissance is critical for planning operations, identifying enemy positions, and assessing terrain advantages, ensuring forces have the intelligence needed for success.

While all other reconnaissance types typically involve operating on or just behind enemy lines, Special Reconnaissance takes this a step further by inserting deep into enemy territory, often far beyond the front lines. This method requires specialized training and equipment, as the team must operate without immediate support or backup, usually in high-risk, hostile environments.

Special reconnaissance teams are tasked with gathering critical intelligence in areas where traditional reconnaissance units cannot operate, often in locations that are heavily guarded or strategically important. The danger level is significantly higher, as these teams are at greater risk of detection and capture. Their missions are often more complex, involving close surveillance of high-value targets, and sometimes the sabotage or disruption of enemy operations.

Due to the high-stakes nature of the operation, special reconnaissance teams rely on stealth, precision, and careful planning. They often operate in small, specialized units that are equipped to handle the demands of deep infiltration without the need for external support. The intelligence gathered in these missions is often vital for planning larger, more decisive actions by the main force, making special reconnaissance a critical tool.