text: Chapter 12
  ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE
  12-56. Route reconnaissance is a form of reconnaissance operation to obtain detailed information of
  a specified route and all terrain from which the enemy could influence movement along that route. The
  route may be a road, highway, trail, mobility corridor, avenue of approach, or axis of advance. The
  reconnaissance effort provides new or updated information on route conditions, such as obstacles and bridge
  classifications, and enemy, adversary, and civilian activity along the route. Commanders normally assign this
  mission during a zone or area reconnaissance when they require more information on a specific route for
  friendly movement.
  Tasks Associated with a Route Reconnaissance
  12-57. Units conducting route reconnaissance perform specific tasks, unless ordered otherwise by their
  commanders. If they do not have the time or resources to complete all the tasks associated with the
  performance of a route reconnaissance, units inform their higher echelon commanders. Those higher echelon
  commanders then issue further guidance on which tasks these units must complete or the priority of each
  task. (This guidance is usually clear from their individual reconnaissance objectives.) If they determine that
  they cannot complete all assigned tasks after initiating their route reconnaissance, such as clearing enemy
  forces or reducing obstacles, units report and continue to execute the mission within capability while
  simultaneously waiting for further guidance from their higher headquarters. (See FM 3-98 and ATP 3-34.81/
  MCWP 3-17.4 for additional information concerning route reconnaissance.)
  12-58. Route reconnaissance tasks (within capability) include—
  * Find, report, and, based on engagement criteria, clear all enemy forces that can influence
  movement along the route.
  * Reconnoiter and determine the trafficability of the route.
  * Reconnoiter all terrain that the enemy can use to influence movement along the route, such as
  choke points, ambush sites, pickup zones, landing zones, and drop zones.
  * Reconnoiter all built-up areas along route.
  * Reconnoiter all lateral routes.
  * Locate bypasses around built-up areas, obstacles, and contaminated areas.
  * Inspect and classify all bridges within the area.
  * Reconnoiter defiles along the route. Clear them of enemy and obstacles or locate a bypass.
  * Inspect and classify all overpasses, underpasses, and culverts.
  * Locate fords or crossing sites near all bridges on the route.
  * Locate and clear all mines, obstacles, and barriers on the route.
  * Submit route report.
  Organization of Forces for a Route Reconnaissance
  12-59. Commanders assign route reconnaissance as a separate mission or as a specified task for units
  conducting a zone or area reconnaissance. A platoon conducts a route reconnaissance over only one route at
  a time. For larger organizations, the number of platoons available directly influences the number of routes
  covered simultaneously. Integrating ground, air, and technical assets ensures a faster and more complete
  route reconnaissance.
  12-60. A ground reconnaissance effort is essential if the mission is to conduct detailed reconnaissance of
  one or more routes or the mission requires clearing enemy forces from those routes and adjacent terrain.
  Commanders operate and equip forces conducting ground reconnaissance to enable them to respond to enemy
  forces they encounter. Ground reconnaissance forces require immediate access to responsive fire support and
  other combat enablers. This is especially true when units expect to make contact with significant enemy
  forces. If commanders require detailed information on specific routes, engineer assets can determine the
  classification of critical points along routes more quickly and accurately than scouts can. If commanders
  anticipate encountering significant obstacles, they include combat engineers as part of their ground
  reconnaissance forces. Commanders can also include CBRN, civil affairs, or EMS reconnaissance assets as
  required.