Meeting Future Army Reconnaissance and Security Requirements
Abstract
This paper explores how the Army of 2020 should organize and equip itself to execute reconnaissance and security (R&S) operations against hybrid threats. The paper begins with a historical review of the enduring requirement for dedicated reconnaissance and security capabilities, and when the lack of focus on reconnaissance made the difference in battle or had strategic implications. These historic examples include the battle of Gettysburg, in which General Robert E. Lee's misuse of his cavalry and General George Meade's doctrinal use of his cavalry had strategic implications for both sides. Additional historical examples include the Vietnam War and the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006. The paper then describes future hybrid threats and enemy capabilities, and how the enemy will fight. There are gaps in the U.S. Army's ability to conduct R&S operations against a hybrid threat. The U.S. Army lacks properly organized, equipped, and dedicated organizations to meet R&S requirements in the future. To fix its R&S gaps, the Army should focus its efforts and resources on its building block for combat operations, the Brigade Combat Team (BCT), by reorganizing, manning, and equipping the Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition Squadrons within the BCT.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA590753
Entities
People
- David L. Sanders Iii
Organizations
- United States Army War College