text: Chapter 3
  mission, troops and support available, and time available for friendly forces that the commander considers
  most important.
  3-36. Essential element of friendly information is a critical aspect of a friendly operation that, if known by a
  threat would subsequently compromise, lead to failure, or limit success of the operation and therefore should
  be protected from enemy detection (ADP 6-0). Although EEFIs are not CCIRs, they have the same priority.
  EEFIs establish elements of information to protect rather than elements of information to seek or collect.
  EEFI identification is central to prioritizing units, information, or activities focusing on security tasks.
  Cavalry units’ use of operations security process develop EEFI associated with unit operations, capabilities,
  activities, limitations, and intentions that require protection.
  3-37. A CCIR directly influences decision-making and facilitates the successful execution of flexible
  military operations or decision point tactics. Commanders decide to designate an information requirement as
  a CCIR based on probable decisions and their visualization of the course of the operation. During planning,
  staffs recommend information requirements for commanders to designate as CCIRs. During preparation and
  execution, both the BCT and the Cavalry squadron staff may recommend changes to CCIRs based on
  assessments. A CCIR is—
  * Specified by a commander for a specific operation.
  * Applicable only to the commander who specifies it (or their subordinates executing
  reconnaissance and security tasks to support the commander).
  * Situation dependent, directly linked to a current mission or a decision that will create a new
  mission, branch, or sequel to the current mission.
  * Time-sensitive.
  * A design and planning requirement.
  3-38. BCT commanders prioritize and limit the number of CCIRs to focus Cavalry assets to support BCT
  operations. With fewer prioritized CCIRs, subordinate units can apply greater concentrations of combat
  power and reconnaissance focus to each information requirement. At the same time, fewer prioritized CCIRs
  facilitate timely and accurate reporting and provide the commander with the required information sooner.
  3-39. Throughout an operation, the list of CCIRs constantly changes. BCT commanders, through their staffs,
  effective liaison teams, the tactical network, and direct communications with their subordinate commanders
  constantly refine and develop their information requirements. Commanders can add and delete CCIRs based
  on the information needed for specific decisions.
  Commander’s Reconnaissance and Security Guidance
  3-40. Reconnaissance and security operations are enduring missions conducted by Cavalry units; therefore,
  commanders provide clear reconnaissance and security guidance that enables freedom of action to develop
  the situation and adequate direction to ensure their organic Cavalry organizations can accomplish stated
  reconnaissance and security objectives within the required timeframe. The commander’s reconnaissance and
  security planning guidance is nested with the higher commander’s intent. The reconnaissance and security
  guidance provides a clear understanding of the Cavalry organization’s task, purpose, objective, and how the
  Cavalry organization will effectively answer information requirements on enemy and terrain to enable the
  higher commander to make timely decisions.
  3-41. Reconnaissance guidance explains the focus, reconnaissance tempo, and guidelines for engagement.
  The commander develops the planning guidance based on the BCT mission, timeline, and intents to satisfy
  information requirements and to identify opportunities to seize, retain, and exploit the initiative. The
  commander specifies different reconnaissance guidance for each phase of an operation and can adjust the
  components of the guidance throughout an operation as the situation changes or develops. BCT and maneuver
  battalion commanders include their reconnaissance and security guidance in, Annex L, Scheme of
  Information Collection, paragraph 3 (Execution). Commanders of organizations that focus on reconnaissance
  and security (such as reconnaissance and security TFs, or Cavalry squadrons) include reconnaissance and
  security guidance in Annex L, paragraph 3 (Execution), commander’s intent, found in Annex L. It is critical
  that initial reconnaissance and security guidance is published as part of WARNORD #2 to provide Cavalry
  formations sufficient time to collect the required information to inform their higher headquarters’
  decision-making process. As the BCT commander and staff become more aware of the situation, they can