Cavalry Scout
Encyclopedia
The Cavalry Scout is a job title and a reconnaissance specialist in the United States Army
. Cavalry Scouts work to obtain, distribute and share vital combat and battlefield information on the enemy and on combat
circumstances and environmental conditions. The role originated with the United States Cavalry
.
The Cavalry Scout is the commander's eyes and ears on the battlefield. When information about the enemy is needed, they call on the Scouts. Cavalry Scouts gather information by dismounted and/or mounted reconnaissance patrols. They are responsible for reconnaissance
and they learn about various weapons to include explosives and mines
. Cavalry Scouts engage the enemy with anti-armor weapons and scout vehicles in the field, track and report enemy movement and activities, and will direct the employment of various weapon systems onto the enemy. The job of a Cavalry Scout is to operate as one of the first personnel in an area, provide forward reconnaissance and spotting for the U.S. Army, and find and relay key information about the enemy to commanders and leaders in the field. Their duties include assisting with observation and listening posts, gathering reconnaissance information, performing and helping with navigation
, and helping secure and transport ammunition
. The Cavalry Scout leads, serves, or assists as a member of scout crew, squad
, section, or platoon
in reconnaissance, security
, and other combat
operations.
- E4 Specialist/Corporal
)
Skill Level II (E5 Sergeant
)
Skill Level III (E6 Staff Sergeant
)
Skill Level IV (E7 Sergeant First Class
)
with the Dress Uniforms during formal unit functions. The Stetson is traditional accompanied by wearing the spurs which are earned when the unit conducts a "Spur Ride."
Cavalry Spur
s can be earned by all Cavalry Scouts. Spurs may be worn on bloused combat boots with the dress uniforms and the duty uniform. The generally-accepted Cavalry Spurs are the simplified Prince of Wales spurs (spurs without the rowel, or star-shaped 'wheel' on the back).
A Scout is authorized to wear silver
spurs if he has completed a Spur Ride, a rigorous series of physical and mental tasks/events designed to test the scout's military skills, military bearing, physical endurance
, mental fortitude, teamwork, ability to act under pressure and exhaustion, and ability to think and improvise quickly. The spur ride was similar to the Infantry's EIB in that only a scout could earn them. That tradition has since changed from the mid to late 90's and now anyone serving in a Cavalry unit, CA or CSS can earn them. The Spur Ride rarely lasts more than three days (sometimes as little as one very long day and night), primarily due to U.S. Army regulations against hazing traditions. In short, it once was a "gut" check or a "smoke" session but it has changed with the times but some units still practice some of the older traditions when it comes to earning the spurs. The exact details of a Spur Ride varies according to the traditions of the particular Cavalry Squadron.
A Scout who has previously earned his silver spurs and then serves in combat is eligible for brass
or gold
combat spurs. Scouts who have directly been involved in combat are often awarded combat spurs in lieu of the normally-prerequisite silver spurs.
The Certificate awarded to Order of the Spur inductees, while honored by Cavalrymen everywhere, is not a document that is authorized for inclusion in a soldier's permanent official military file. Regardless, induction into the Order of the Spur is for life, and once awarded is recognized no matter which duty station the Cavalry Scout is assigned to.
Although awarding of the Cavalry Spurs is often reserved for Cavalry troopers only, a deserving soldier or foreign military member who has provided great service (often in combat) to the Cavalry Squadron may be awarded Spurs.
The spurs and stetson are not authorized and are not official headed gear or award. They are part of the espirit de corps that lives within the Cav.
Training used to be at Ft.Knox, KY
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. Cavalry Scouts work to obtain, distribute and share vital combat and battlefield information on the enemy and on combat
Combat
Combat, or fighting, is a purposeful violent conflict meant to establish dominance over the opposition, or to terminate the opposition forever, or drive the opposition away from a location where it is not wanted or needed....
circumstances and environmental conditions. The role originated with the United States Cavalry
United States Cavalry
The United States Cavalry, or U.S. Cavalry, is the designation of the mounted force of the United States Army. The role of the U.S. Cavalry is reconnaissance, security and mounted assault. Cavalry has served as a part of the Army forces in every war in which the United States has participated...
.
The Cavalry Scout is the commander's eyes and ears on the battlefield. When information about the enemy is needed, they call on the Scouts. Cavalry Scouts gather information by dismounted and/or mounted reconnaissance patrols. They are responsible for reconnaissance
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
and they learn about various weapons to include explosives and mines
Land mine
A land mine is usually a weight-triggered explosive device which is intended to damage a target—either human or inanimate—by means of a blast and/or fragment impact....
. Cavalry Scouts engage the enemy with anti-armor weapons and scout vehicles in the field, track and report enemy movement and activities, and will direct the employment of various weapon systems onto the enemy. The job of a Cavalry Scout is to operate as one of the first personnel in an area, provide forward reconnaissance and spotting for the U.S. Army, and find and relay key information about the enemy to commanders and leaders in the field. Their duties include assisting with observation and listening posts, gathering reconnaissance information, performing and helping with navigation
Navigation
Navigation is the process of monitoring and controlling the movement of a craft or vehicle from one place to another. It is also the term of art used for the specialized knowledge used by navigators to perform navigation tasks...
, and helping secure and transport ammunition
Ammunition
Ammunition is a generic term derived from the French language la munition which embraced all material used for war , but which in time came to refer specifically to gunpowder and artillery. The collective term for all types of ammunition is munitions...
. The Cavalry Scout leads, serves, or assists as a member of scout crew, squad
Squad
In military terminology, a squad is a small military unit led by a non-commissioned officer that is subordinate to an infantry platoon. In countries following the British Army tradition this organization is referred to as a section...
, section, or platoon
Platoon
A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two to four sections or squads and containing 16 to 50 soldiers. Platoons are organized into a company, which typically consists of three, four or five platoons. A platoon is typically the smallest military unit led by a commissioned officer—the...
in reconnaissance, security
Security
Security is the degree of protection against danger, damage, loss, and crime. Security as a form of protection are structures and processes that provide or improve security as a condition. The Institute for Security and Open Methodologies in the OSSTMM 3 defines security as "a form of protection...
, and other combat
Combat
Combat, or fighting, is a purposeful violent conflict meant to establish dominance over the opposition, or to terminate the opposition forever, or drive the opposition away from a location where it is not wanted or needed....
operations.
Major Duties by Skill Level
Skill Level I (E1 PrivatePrivate (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
- E4 Specialist/Corporal
Specialist (rank)
Specialist is one of the four junior enlisted ranks in the U.S. Army, just above Private First Class and equivalent in pay grade to Corporal. Unlike Corporals, Specialists are not considered junior non-commissioned officers...
)
- Performs duties as crewmember, operates, and performs operator maintenance on scout vehicles: Cavalry Fighting Vehicle (M3 BradleyM3 BradleyThe M3 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicle is an American tracked armored reconnaissance vehicle manufactured by BAE Systems Land and Armaments based on the Bradley Fighting Vehicle family. The M3 CFV is used by heavy armored cavalry units in the U.S. Army.-History:The M3 Bradley was originally...
CFV), HMMWV (Humvee), M1127 Reconnaissance VehicleM1127 Reconnaissance Vehicle-General:The RV provides an effective platform for RSTA Squadrons and battalion scouts to perform reconnaissance and surveillance operations. The RV accommodates a squad of six and an additional augmentee, for a total vehicle capacity of seven personnel....
Stryker, crew-served weapons, anti-armor weapons, and communications equipment. - Loads, clears, and fires individual and crew-served weapons.
- Engages enemy armor with anti-armor weapons.
- Operates and performs operator maintenance on wheeled vehicles.
- Assists in the recovery of wheeled and tracked vehicles. Secures, prepares, and stows ammunition on scout vehicles.
- Performs mounted and dismounted navigation.
- Serves as member of observation and listening post.
- Gathers and reports information on terrain features and enemy strength, disposition and equipment.
- Applies principles of escape, and evasion.
- Collects data for the classification of routes, fords, tunnels, and bridges.
- Performs dismounted patrols.
- Employs principles of cover and concealment and camouflage.
- Assists with construction of light field fortifications, laying and removal of mines, and emplacing demolitions.
- Requests and adjusts indirect fire.
Skill Level II (E5 Sergeant
Sergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
)
- Supervises scout vehicle crew.
- Supervises operator maintenance of tracked and wheeled scout vehicles and individual and crew-served weapons.
- Selects, organizes, and supervises operation of observation and listening posts.
- Supervises scout vehicle recovery operations.
- Trains scout vehicle crew.
- Supervises request, receipt, storage, and issue of ammunition.
- Leads scout vehicle crew and assists in leading scout squad.
- Serves as gunner, on CFV, HMMWV, and M1127 Stryker RV.
- May also serve as an Operations Assistant at brigade or squadron level.
Skill Level III (E6 Staff Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
Staff sergeant is a rank of non-commissioned officer used in several countries.The origin of the name is that they were part of the staff of a British army regiment and paid at that level rather than as a member of a battalion or company.-Australia:...
)
- Supervises scout sections and squads.
- Directs tactical deployment of section and squads in combat.
- Supervises maintenance of assigned vehicles and equipment.
- Collects, reports and evaluates accuracy of intelligence information.
- Directs reconnaissance of fording sites, tunnels, and bridges.
- Directs route / area / zone reconnaissance at section level.
- Coordinates action of vehicles with platoon and supporting elements.
- Evaluates terrain, selected routes, assembly areas, firing positions, and positions for combat operations.
- Identifies, selects targets, and issues fire commands.
- Supervises construction of hasty fortifications.
- Supervises section and squad resupply of class I, III, and V.
- Trains scout section.
- Coordinates requirements for organizational maintenance.
- Conducts scout section drills.
- Calls for, observes, and adjusts indirect fires.
- May also serve as an Operations Assistant in the squadron/battalion or higher level staffs and as Operations NCO at troop level.
Skill Level IV (E7 Sergeant First Class
Sergeant First Class
Sergeant First Class is the seventh enlisted rank in the U.S. Army, above Staff Sergeant and below Master Sergeant and First Sergeant, and is the first senior non-commissioned officer rank...
)
- Assists the commander or operations officer in planning, organizing, directing, supervising, training, coordinating, and reporting activities of the scout or armored cavalry platoon and staff sections.
- Directs distribution of fire in combat.
- Supervises platoon maintenance activities.
- Collects, evaluates, and assists in interpretation and dissemination of combat information.
- Directs platoon tactical movement, platoon security operations (screening), and platoon route/area/zonereconnaissance.
- Supervises the employment of OPSEC measures.
- Coordinates the evacuation of casualties.
- Coordinates and conducts platoon resupply.
- Requests and adjusts aerial fires.
- May also serve as an Assistant Operations NCO at battalion or higher level.
Uniform
Scouts wear the ACU (Army Combat Uniform) as do all Soldiers as well as the Multicam which is theater specific. Two unique articles the stetson hat as well as spurs can be worn during special events or when directed by the chain of command. Cavalry Scouts are permitted to wear the Cavalry Stetson HatStetson
Stetsons are the brand of hat manufactured by the John B. Stetson Company of St. Joseph, Missouri.Stetson eventually became the world’s largest hat maker, producing over 3.3 million hats a year in a factory spread over . Today Stetson remains a family-owned concern...
with the Dress Uniforms during formal unit functions. The Stetson is traditional accompanied by wearing the spurs which are earned when the unit conducts a "Spur Ride."
Cavalry Spur
Spur
A spur is a metal tool designed to be worn in pairs on the heels of riding boots for the purpose of directing a horse to move forward or laterally while riding. It is usually used to refine the riding aids and to back up the natural aids . The spur is used in every equestrian discipline...
s can be earned by all Cavalry Scouts. Spurs may be worn on bloused combat boots with the dress uniforms and the duty uniform. The generally-accepted Cavalry Spurs are the simplified Prince of Wales spurs (spurs without the rowel, or star-shaped 'wheel' on the back).
A Scout is authorized to wear silver
Silver
Silver is a metallic chemical element with the chemical symbol Ag and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it has the highest electrical conductivity of any element and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal...
spurs if he has completed a Spur Ride, a rigorous series of physical and mental tasks/events designed to test the scout's military skills, military bearing, physical endurance
Endurance
Endurance is the ability for a human or animal to exert itself and remain active for a long period of time, as well as its ability to resist, withstand, recover from, and have immunity to trauma, wounds, or fatigue. In humans, it is usually used in aerobic or anaerobic exercise...
, mental fortitude, teamwork, ability to act under pressure and exhaustion, and ability to think and improvise quickly. The spur ride was similar to the Infantry's EIB in that only a scout could earn them. That tradition has since changed from the mid to late 90's and now anyone serving in a Cavalry unit, CA or CSS can earn them. The Spur Ride rarely lasts more than three days (sometimes as little as one very long day and night), primarily due to U.S. Army regulations against hazing traditions. In short, it once was a "gut" check or a "smoke" session but it has changed with the times but some units still practice some of the older traditions when it comes to earning the spurs. The exact details of a Spur Ride varies according to the traditions of the particular Cavalry Squadron.
A Scout who has previously earned his silver spurs and then serves in combat is eligible for brass
Brass
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc; the proportions of zinc and copper can be varied to create a range of brasses with varying properties.In comparison, bronze is principally an alloy of copper and tin...
or gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
combat spurs. Scouts who have directly been involved in combat are often awarded combat spurs in lieu of the normally-prerequisite silver spurs.
The Certificate awarded to Order of the Spur inductees, while honored by Cavalrymen everywhere, is not a document that is authorized for inclusion in a soldier's permanent official military file. Regardless, induction into the Order of the Spur is for life, and once awarded is recognized no matter which duty station the Cavalry Scout is assigned to.
Although awarding of the Cavalry Spurs is often reserved for Cavalry troopers only, a deserving soldier or foreign military member who has provided great service (often in combat) to the Cavalry Squadron may be awarded Spurs.
The spurs and stetson are not authorized and are not official headed gear or award. They are part of the espirit de corps that lives within the Cav.
Qualifications
Physical demands rating and qualifications for initial award of MOS; the job is not available to female personnel. Cavalry scouts must possess the following qualifications:- Physical Demands Rating = Very heavy
- Physical profile (The PULHES FactorPULHES FactorThe PULHES Factor is a United States military acronym for the Military Physical Profile Serial System. It is used to qualify an enlistee's physical profile for each military skill. For instance, the MOS 19D Cavalry Scout requires a physical profile of 111121 or better...
) = 111121 or better - Correctable vision of 20/20 in one eye and 20/100 in other eye
- Normal color vision
- A minimum score, of 87 in aptitude area CO (ASVAB/GT score)
- Formal training (completion of MOS I 19D course conducted under the auspices of the U.S. Army Armor School) mandatory
- Highest rank an individual may be reclassified into MOS 19D is rank SGT
Additional skill identifiers
- D3 - Bradley Fighting Vehicle System (BFVS).
- E9 - M901 (ITV) Gunner/Crew Training.
- F7 - Pathfinder
- J3 - Bradley Fighting Vehicle Master Gunner.
- P5 - Master Fitness Trainer.
- 2C - JAVELIN Gunnery.
- 2S - Battle Staff Operations (skill level 3 and above).
- 4A - Reclassification Training.
- 5W - Jumpmaster
- 2B - Air Assault
- B4 - Sniper(Can attend training but will not be awarded ASI of B4)
- R4 - STRYKER ARMORED VEHICLE OPERATOR
- B9- M3A3 Bradley Crewmen
Skill qualification identifiers
- P - Parachutist
- Q - Equal Opportunity Adviser
- 8 - Instructor
- X - Drill Instructor
- V - Airborne Ranger
- G - Ranger
- 4 - Recruiter
Training and School information
All Cavalry Scouts attend OSUT (One Station Unit Training) at Ft. Benning, GA. The first phase, roughly 9 weeks, are basic military training. The second phase focuses on becoming a Scout for a total of 16 weeks. During these final weeks the future Cavalry men are trained by Instructors as well as their Drill Sergeants.Training used to be at Ft.Knox, KY
External links
- Goarmy.com
- About.com
- Us-army-info.com
- Cavalry Scouts
- Information derived from Army Pamphlet 611-21