text: Chapter 5
  Route Reconnaissance
  5-51. Route reconnaissanceistype of reconnaissance operation to obtain detailed information of a specified
  route and all terrain from which the enemy could influence movement along that route (ADP 3-90). A route
  can be a road, highway, trail, mobility corridor, avenue of approach,or axis of advance. Routes begin at a
  start point and end at a destination release point. The commander assigns a route reconnaissance either as a
  discrete mission or as a specified task of a zone or area reconnaissance. Route reconnaissance is not to be
  confused with route classification,which requires technical measurements and analysis typically performed
  by mission tailored engineer reconnaissance teams. Typically,a route classification is included as a specified
  task for the engineer reconnaissance team as part of an assigned route reconnaissance. Reconnaissance forces
  collect information about roads,bridges,tunnels,fords,waterways,and other natural and manmade terrain
  features that can affect traffic flow. Route reconnaissance provides the commander with detailed information
  on the route and terrain that can influence the route to prevent surprise,determine trafficability for follow-on
  forces,and to confirm or deny running estimates made during the operations process.
  Reconnaissance in Force
  5-52. Reconnaissance in forceis a type of reconnaissanceoperation designed to discover or test the enemy’s
  strength,dispositions,and reactions or to obtain other information (ADP 3-90). A reconnaissance in force is
  a limited objective operation normally conducted by a battalion-sized or larger task force. The BCT
  commander assigns a reconnaissance in force when the enemy is operating within an area and the commander
  cannot obtain adequate intelligence by any other means. Reconnaissance in force is an aggressive
  reconnaissance, which develops information in contact with the enemy to determine and exploit enemy
  weaknesses. The commander plans for the extrication of the force or the exploitation of success in advance.
  For example, the BCT commander positions forces to extricate the reconnaissance in force element if
  required or to seize on opportunities identified by the element.
  Special Reconnaissance
  5-53. Special reconnaissanceis reconnaissance and surveillance actions conducted as a special operation in
  hostile,denied,ordiplomatically and/or politically sensitive environments to collect or verify information of
  strategic or operational significance, employing military capabilities not normally found in conventional
  forces (JP 3-05). Special reconnaissance operations support the collection of the joint task force commander’s
  priority intelligence requirements. Special reconnaissance may occur beforeconventional forces entering a
  designated area of operations, such as during an airborne or air assault operation, or other anti-assess or
  area-denial operation (see FM 3-99). A special operations liaison may provide a responsive reporting
  capability in situations where the special operations task force commander has been requested to provide
  intelligence information that supports the intelligence requirements of a conventional force commander. The
  BCT commander and staff must understand when, where, and why the force is conducting special
  reconnaissance operations to establish unity of purpose. The BCT and the special operations forces element
  may establish a liaison capacity to understand collection task prioritization, and to understand associated
  reporting requirements and mechanisms. Reconnaissance forces often may be the first friendly units to
  encounter special operations forces because of their forward proximity in the BCT’s area of operations.
  Depending on the command relationship, conventional reconnaissance forces may operate in conjunction
  with special operations forces. (SeeFM 3-18 for additional information.)
  Note. A special operations forces element will not suspend or alter their collection efforts to
  support another collection plan unless directed to do so by the joint task force commander.
  RECONNAISSANCE HANDOVER
  5-54. Reconnaissance handover is the action that occurs between two elements in order to coordinate the
  transfer of information and/or responsibility for observation of potential threat contact,or the transfer of an
  assigned area from one element to another (FM 3-98). Reconnaissance handover facilitates observation or
  surveillance of enemy contact or an assigned NAI or TAI. Reconnaissance handover is associated with a
  trigger, coordination point, or phase line (PL) designated as the reconnaissance handover line. (See