As per FM 3-20.971 (2001, I think), the reconnaissance troops of armored and mechanized infantry brigades (recce troop) consisted of six officers and 84 enlisted soldiers. It was organized into a headquarters section, a mortar section, and three scout platoons.
Headquarters section fielded a troop command post and a fire support team (FIST), soon to ride in a Stryker. The recce platoon’s primary missions were reconnaissance/surveillance and execution of security missions. As such, they were organized and equipped to conduct reconnaissance and screening in support of the troop itself. Each platoon consisted of one officer and 20 enlisted personnel organized into four squads, to one of which the officer attached themselves. Each squad rode in a Stryker (or was to ride in the near future).
The mortar section consisted of ten soldiers, riding in two self-propelled mortars (again: Stryker-based) and a supply vehicle (truck).
The brigade reconnaissance troops were different beasts, riding exclusively soft-skinned vehicles: HMMWVs and larger trucks. One HQ section and two platoons of six soldiers (split into two sections of three soldiers each).
There were smaller scout platoons in the brigades and other recce forces, too, but the two above were the largest structures 20 years ago.
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Liber et infractus
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