Mechanized Cavalry Groups: Lessons for the Future of Reconnaissance and Surveillance
Abstract
After more than ten years of combat, the U.S. Army acknowledges the need to review its modern reconnaissance and security doctrine, specifically in regards to the lack of a dedicated element at the corps and division level. With the transformation of the 3rd Cavalry Regiment from an armored cavalry regiment to a Stryker brigade combat team in fiscal year 2012, today's corps and division commanders lack such an organization. Serving as one of the final acts of the 2004 Army Transformation Roadmap, this reorganization finalized the development of redundant modular units at the cost of versatile and proven specialized units. In doing so, it exchanged an increase in tactical reconnaissance and security organizations for a reliance on strategic and operational intelligence, security, and reconnaissance platforms. However, recently efforts began to develop a new brigade-sized unit to address the void in reconnaissance and security at the operational level. While identifying approaches to correct these deficiencies, several similarities to the development and employment of mechanized cavalry are visible. Current doctrine and organization share a commonality with early World War II era doctrine and organization based on stealthy reconnaissance and surveillance at the cost of combat capability. Furthermore, developing the specific aptitudes, experiences, and other human characteristics needed to provide a specific human dimension is inherently more problematic and requires an informed approach to solve. Conducting an analysis of past-mechanized cavalry combat operations provides insight into the requirements necessary to reestablish a corps level reconnaissance and security organization. The General Board conducted this very intellectual exercise to determine the future mission, role, organization, and doctrine to shape the development of the post-World War II armored cavalry regiments.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 23, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA589570
Entities
People
- E. D. Wright
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College