Reconnaissance facts for kids

Reconnaissance is like being a detective for the military. It's all about exploring to gather important information. People often call it recce (in places like the UK) or recon (in the U.S.). The word 'reconnoitre' means to do reconnaissance. You might even hear 'recon' used outside of military talks, like when someone says they're 'doing recon' on a new video game!

How Reconnaissance Works

Sometimes, groups doing reconnaissance only carry weapons for protecting themselves. They try to stay hidden, using stealth, to collect facts. Other times, these groups are strong enough to stop the enemy from getting information too. They might even fight or destroy enemy scout teams.

Reconnaissance-in-Force

Reconnaissance-in-force (RIF) is a special way to check out an enemy's position. Imagine a small team attacks an enemy. This attack, even if it's small, might make the enemy react strongly. This reaction can show how strong the enemy is. It can also reveal where they are hiding or how they are set up.

The leader of the RIF team can then choose. They might pull back with the new information. Or, they might decide to start a bigger fight. Other ways to do this include quick "hit-and-run" attacks. These attacks use fast movements. Sometimes, light armored vehicles are used. They provide extra firepower if needed.

Images for kids

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  A Night vision photograph of Company B, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division during a night reconnaissance training mission, 2016

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  A tracked FV107 Scimitar used by armored reconnaissance regiments of the British Army

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  A two-man JGSDF team uses Kawasaki KLX250 dirt bikes for reconnaissance

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  A Type 87 ARV armored recon vehicle from the JSDF

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  March 5, 1968. 1st Cav LRRP Montagnard scouts in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam

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  U.S. Seabee Engineer Reconnaissance Team on a mission to check a bridge

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  An Oste class ELINT and reconnaissance ship of the German Navy

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  A Soviet convoy deploying intermediate-range ballistic missiles in Cuba, 1962, as first revealed by a Lockheed U-2.

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  A U.S. Air Force Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird high-speed reconnaissance aircraft

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  German Army Fennek reconnaissance vehicle

See also

In Spanish: Reconocimiento militar para niños