published on: 22/04/2026
Author:
Patch
Reconnaissance Platoon Interview
For this week’s article, I interviewed MSgt. Combat, the head of the Reconnaissance Platoon. This article will contain general knowledge about what the platoon entails, what they do, what you can learn in their school, how to join that platoon, and other information you may find useful.
Pvt.Patch:
MSgt. Combat, for how long have you been the head of the Reconnaissance Platoon?
MSgt. Combat:
Very shortly, I picked up the Head position in March, so I just closed the first month.
Prior to that, I've been the Deputy since July or August last year, and first played with BiA in, I believe, the final days of May, so still quite fresh.
That said, I'm far from a newbie as I took my first steps in the series with OFP:CWC back in the 2000's.
Pvt. Patch:
What would you say are the main responsibilities of your platoon in the operations in BiA?
MSgt. Combat:
Reconnaissance Platoon has one of the widest scopes of responsibilities when compared to other platoons.
The primary role for the Platoon is to provide timely, accurate, and actionable intelligence about the enemy to the Company Commander.
Most often within the Close Reconnaissance scope of the trade, preferably remaining undetected but ready to, when necessary, fight for information or even to perform reconnaissance-in-force, protecting the main body of the company. The platoon, therefore, foremost focuses on mastering the basics. Land Navigation and Small Unit Tactics must be kept at the highest levels of proficiency.
Reconnaissance Platoon also continues the role of the Sniper Platoon it replaced, generating both Snipers and Designated Marksmen to embed with the infantry platoons.
Additionally, the Platoon members are trained in employing both UAV and UGV's of varying types and sizes to aid us in the tasks ahead whenever the mission time period allows and Intel Platoon blesses us with the ability.
And last, but certainly not least, we are the source of FO, JFO and JTAC qualified personnel guiding in all kinds of warheads on foreheads both from the air, land and sea.
Therefore, as you can see, we often find ourselves filling widely differing pairs of shoes, one mission you could be wielding a precision rifle, the next could be crewing an armored car or guiding in an air strike from a pair of P-47's.
Pvt. Patch:
Are the necessary skills to perform well in the platoon already expected of a member that just joined or is it a skill that's developed over time?
MSgt. Combat:
The skills are certainly possible to develop over time, we teach everyone from the ground up to give them the tools they need for the job ahead but excellent scouts, marksmen, FO/JFO's and most certainly JTACs are impossible to be made overnight.
True mastery will require individual commitment to polish and truly master those skills in addition to what the basic Reconnaissance School provides.
Pvt. Patch:
Which school belongs to your platoon?
MSgt. Combat:
Our platoon leads the already mentioned Reconnaissance School, after its completion you are expected to have a good grip on basic scout skills like Land Navigation or Marksmanship and qualify as a Joint Forward Observer, able to provide targeting data for both artillery and air strikes.
A tall order, I do have to say, but we are on the first, pilot iteration of the school system and able to still adjust and adapt as we gather more data.
Pvt. Patch:
Would you say the teaching done in your school is mainly directed towards new members with little to no knowledge on the field or even the more experienced members of BiA can learn something useful in those training sessions?
MSgt. Combat:
It's less of a matter of experience and much more of a matter of ambition. We accept both veteran and new members of the community so long as we can see the hunger for more in them.
Sure previous experience helps even just due to the sheer scope of the material and some highly responsible positions to fill but it is not a requirement and especially not a free pass card. You could be the most experienced keyboard warrior out there but if you take it as an excuse to put on a laurel crown you are unlikely to make the cut.
Pvt. Patch:
What are the general requirements to join the platoon and what do you, as the head of the Reconnaissance Platoon, specifically look for when considering new members?
MSgt. Combat:
Pretty much the same as the school. We look for motivated individuals that are hungry for more. The best way to join is to ask either Head or Deputy for a slot whenever you see a dedicated recon squad in an upcoming operation. That way we can get to know you and assess if you are likely a good candidate for our platoon, and you can have a taste of what it is like within recon.
Pvt. Patch:
Once someone becomes a member of the platoon, will they be able to play in related slots every operation?
MSgt. Combat:
Generally yes, you may be able to take some even without becoming a member, simply ask for permission first.
But there are some slots that require you to get qualified to fill. I'm talking about high responsibility roles like FO, JFO and JTAC. Those roles when mishandled could easily lead to a horrible time for the entire community.
Pvt. Patch:
If a new member wanted to join your platoon today, what would be the necessary steps to achieve that?
MSgt. Combat:
Hit me up. If you are a long standing member, we likely have some opinion about you already, and you likely know the formal rules about transferring from one department to another.
Pvt. Patch:
If you could choose one thing for all BiA members to know or to do during operations to help recon, what would it be?
MSgt. Combat:
Don't outpace your head. Listen and stick to your squad and Team Leaders, and if they go down, reestablish communication ASAP.
Even if you feel incompetent to do it, we are there to assist you and have ways of pulling what information we need from you.
If you are one of the leaders, don't neglect reporting your progress and needs. A lot of what we do relies on accurate battle tracking based on those reports and could save you and your men from experiencing the bad end of a fire mission or air strike.
Pvt. Patch:
Thank you for your time.
Patch