Combat Effectiveness of the Combined Arms Battalion Scout Platoon

This study is designed to discover if the Combined Arms Battalion (CAB) scout platoon is capable of accomplishing its doctrinal mission on the battlefield. The research did in fact show that the CAB scout platoon is effective at accomplishing its doctrinal missions. The methodology used to conduct the analysis is based on the Army capabilities based requirements generation process. The organizational capabilities were analyzed against the critical tasks associated with each of its doctrinal missions to determine success or failure. This study recommends several changes to the CAB scout platoon to increase its capabilities. The recommended changes represent improvements to doctrine, organization, personnel, and material in order to make it more effective on the battlefield. The recommendations are intended to increase the capabilities of the CAB scout platoon in order to make it a more flexible organization. While this study validates the current organization, it remains to be seen if commanders will employ the unit as directed by doctrine. To ensure capabilities and requirements are aligned; the continued analysis of the effects of modularity on the reconnaissance community is essential.