text: Information Collection Foundations
  force. Additional guidance could be to conduct only that terrain reconnaissance necessary to find the enemy
  and develop the situation.
  Reconnaissance Fundamentals
  1-37. The seven fundamentals of reconnaissance are—
  * Ensure continuous reconnaissance.
  * Do not keep reconnaissance assets in reserve.
  * Orient on the reconnaissance objective.
  * Report information rapidly and accurately.
  * Retain freedom of maneuver.
  * Gain and maintain enemy contact.
  * Develop the situation rapidly.
  Ensure Continuous Reconnaissance
  1-38. The commander conducts reconnaissance before, during, and after all operations. Before an
  operation, reconnaissance focuses on filling gaps in information about the enemy, civil considerations, and
  the terrain. During an operation, reconnaissance focuses on providing the commander with updated
  information that verifies the enemy’s composition, dispositions, and intentions as the battle progresses.
  This allows commanders to verify which COA the enemy adopts and to determine if the plan is still valid
  based on actual events in the AO. After an operation, reconnaissance focuses on maintaining contact with
  the enemy forces to determine their next move. It also focuses on collecting information necessary for
  planning subsequent operations. In stability and defense support of civil authorities operations,
  reconnaissance focuses on civil considerations.
  Do Not Keep Reconnaissance Assets in Reserve
  1-39. Reconnaissance assets, such as artillery assets, are never kept in reserve. When committed,
  reconnaissance assets use all resources to accomplish the mission. This does not mean that all assets are
  committed all the time. Commanders use reconnaissance assets based on their capabilities and the mission
  variables to achieve the maximum coverage needed to answer the CCIRs. At times, this requires
  commanders to withhold or position reconnaissance assets to ensure the assets are available at critical times
  and places. Commanders sustain and rest reconnaissance assets as necessary, but do not place these assets
  in reserve. Commanders treat all reconnaissance assets as committed assets with missions. This
  fundamental does not apply to units with multiple roles that can conduct reconnaissance, security, and other
  combat missions in an economy of force role. Commanders may elect to place these units in reserve as
  needed.
  Orient on the Reconnaissance Objective
  1-40. The commander uses the reconnaissance objective to focus the unit’s reconnaissance efforts.
  Commanders of subordinate reconnaissance elements remain focused on achieving this objective,
  regardless of what their forces encounter during the mission. When time, unit capabilities limitations, or
  enemy actions prevent a unit from performing all the tasks normally associated with a particular form of
  reconnaissance, the unit uses the reconnaissance objective to focus the reconnaissance effort.
  Report Information Rapidly and Accurately
  1-41. Reconnaissance assets acquire and report accurate and timely information on the enemy, civil
  considerations, and the terrain where operations occur. Information may quickly lose its value.
  Reconnaissance units report exactly what they see and, if appropriate, what they do not see. Information
  that seems unimportant may be important when combined with other information. Negative reports are as
  important as reports of enemy activity. Reconnaissance assets must report all information, including a lack
  of enemy activity. Failure to report tells the commander nothing. The unit communications plan ensures
  that unit reconnaissance assets have the proper communication equipment to support the integrated
  information collection plan.