text: Cavalry Organizations and
  the Operational Environment
  Figure 1-1. Reconnaissance and security in offensive, defensive, and stability operations
  BCT PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE CAVALRY UNITS
  1-37. The core competencies of Cavalry forces are to conduct reconnaissance and security operations in close
  contact with enemy forces and civilian populations. These competencies allow the BCT to accomplish its
  core missions. Cavalry forces facilitate the supported commander’s ability to concentrate superior combat
  power against the enemy at the decisive time and place, and take appropriate actions to consolidate gains
  while preparing for the next mission.
  1-38. For reconnaissance and security operations to be most effective, they must be initiated early in the
  planning process for BCT-level missions and continued throughout the mission. Consequently, commanders
  and staffs develop information requirements throughout the operations process and assess, add, or delete
  requirements continuously during planning and execution.
  1-39. Cavalry commanders conduct operations consistent with reconnaissance and security fundamentals.
  The BCT commander uses reconnaissance and security fundamentals to identify gaps or weaknesses in the
  plan as well as opportunities to exploit and improve situational understanding. Reconnaissance and security
  operations answer PIRs and enable the commander to make decisions and direct forces to achieve mission
  success. Both reconnaissance and security operations enable successful offense, defense, and stability tasks.
  Commanders and staffs first identify information gaps during the military decision-making process (MDMP)
  and continuously assess, adapt, add, and delete requirements throughout the operation. Staffs identify
  specified, implied, and essential tasks necessary for mission success during mission analysis, reviewing
  available assets, and identifying resource and information shortfalls.
  1-40. During mission analysis, staffs identify critical facts and assumptions aiding in the development of the
  initial CCIRs, which is comprised of PIRs and friendly force information requirements (FFIRs), facilitating
  timely decision-making. PIRs are information requirements necessary to understand the adversary or