RE: Scouts out. . . NAC style

Part of any Economy of Force operation is looking like you are something
bigger 
and badder than you are.  Which is why Cavalry units (Division and Corps
level) 
tend to be equipped like a Heavy Battalion Task force.	Battalion level
scouts 
aren't Cavalry (though some like to think so) and IMO should focus on
the "Eyes 
and Ears" concepts.  A Scout platoon should have the ability to cover
the 
Battalion's zone with observation (and use Battalion mortars or
Artillery for 
fire).	Of course, you should model your TO&E based around how you
expect to 
fight.

Michael Brown

-----Original Message-----
From:	John Atkinson
Sent:	Friday, August 09, 2002 5:07 PM
To:	gzg-l@csua.berkeley.edu
Subject:	RE: Scouts out. . . NAC style

--- Michael Brown <mwbrown@sonic.net> wrote:
> Possible Scout Missions:
>
> 1. Find'em (Basic "Where are they now?")
> 2. Flank guard (Enough fire power to by time)
> 3. Guide ("Just follow me to your Battle position")
> 4. Diversionary force (Make enough noise/Fire/etc to
> be mistaken for a larger
> force)
> 5. Rapid reaction force ("Plug the Line!!", needs
> enough firepower to make a
> difference)
> 6. Commander's guard (Yes, this has been a use for
> scouts)
> 7. Route Recon (including all that Engineer stuff)
> 8. Rear Guard (see flank guard)
>
> 1,3,7 needs lots of eyes/mobility (hence 10 Hummers)
> 2,4,5,8 needs the ability
> to FIGHT (hence Bradleys/AC).  FM 17-95 (Cavalry)
> has more detail.

I know that.  I was trying to NOT use technical terms.
. .

OK, we can pretty much say that #6 is a gross misuse
of recon assets which should be grounds for immediate
relief.

However, the question remains:	What would be the most
important of those tasks?  Which would be called upon
most often?  Which represents a case in which the
inability to perform the task could result in defeat?

I'm kind of leaning towards Adrian's suggestion (7
armored cars and 6 dune bugges) right now.  Any better
ideas out there?

John

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