Dr. Robert S. Cameron's To Fight or Not to Fight? Organizational
and Doctrinal Trends in Mounted Maneuver Reconnaissance from the
Interwar Years to Operation IRAQI FREEDOM provides a narrative
analysis of US Army reconnaissance, scout, and cavalry evolution
from the post-World War I era through the Iraqi conflict. It
outlines key developments in the concepts governing reconnaissance
units from the armored cavalry regiment down to the maneuver
battalion scout platoon. These changes are placed in the context of
national defense policy decisions and major Army initiatives. The
title derives from the almost cyclic shifts between reconnaissance
organizations oriented on information collection and those designed
for a broader mission set. The text focuses on doctrinal and
organizational changes, but training, materiel development, and the
impact of combat operations constitute important supporting themes.
This study also traces the transition from horse to vehicular
reconnaissance, later bolstered by air cavalry and more recently
with a variety of sensors and unmanned systems. The chronicle of
this transition highlights another persistent theme: the impact of
technology on reconnaissance. It addresses an issue with which
scouts in today's high-tech world continue to grapple: finding the
correct balance between man and machine for effective
reconnaissance. The trend analysis included in these pages shows
how mounted reconnaissance arrived at its current state. The author
provides a clear depiction of past evolution to guide future
reconnaissance development. Given the ongoing changes today within
the Army generally and the reconnaissance community in particular,
such an analysis has immediate relevance. The insights and
information provided help to determine those capabilities scouts
need on future battlefields and how best to acquire them. In this
sense, this book is part of a larger effort by the Armor Branch to
shape future mounted maneuver reconnaissance in a sensible and
effective manner. However, it is clear from this text that
developing the right doctrine, organization, and platform to ensure
our reconnaissance Soldiers are configured for success in
ever-changing operational environments is a complex process. To
Fight or Not to Fight? is a must read for those responsible for
designing reconnaissance organizations, writing the related
doctrine, establishing the materiel requirements, and training
scouts. It is also recommended for those serving in reconnaissance
organizations who every day discover new trails for others to
follow. Much has been written about cavalry and reconnaissance, but
this literature generally focuses on a specific era, platform,
combat operation, or personal account of service. Missing from this
body of literature is an overarching analysis of American cavalry
and reconnaissance development. This book fills that void,
providing a single source reference for a critical dimension of
mounted maneuver history. These pages should resonate with anyone
who has served in or supported a cavalry, reconnaissance, or scout
unit. They remind us of the importance of what the horse cavalry
once called "mental mobility."
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