Effective or Efficient: The Conundrum of the Armed Reconnaissance Squadron

摘要

The ARS requires a fundamental redesign because it does not provide a substantial or unique capability to the HBCT commander. The focus of this study is the Heavy Brigade Combat Team's (HBCT) Armed Reconnaissance Squadron (ARS) and its role in providing relevant information to the Brigade Commander to achieve decision superiority. Cavalry organizations exist to provide the commander with three capabilities-- reconnaissance, security, and economy of force operations. However, Reconnaissance Squadrons in every type ofBCT are only capable of performing one of the three core missions-- reconnaissance. Given the current operational situation in Iraq and Afghanistan, this limited design is not acceptable. With the current ARS design, the US Army traded efficiency for effectiveness. However, with a few adjustments, the ARS could perform as designed--a squadron able to execute reconnaissance, security, and enabling missions. The addition of one tank platoon per cavalry troop (for atotal of three additional tank platoons) in the brigade can provide significant benefits. Likewise, the addition of six scouts to each scout platoon (for a total of 36 troopers per brigade) exponentially increases the capability of the ARS. Now is the time to make modifications to the ARS to provide unique and beneficial capabilities to the Brigade Commander across the full-spectrum of conflict.