Scouts lead the way!

Dear ARMOR,

There seems to be much bellyaching about what role cavalry might play in future force structure. As an old cavalry scout, I do not see the problem, only problem-makers. During my years in the Army, scouts would always trade friendly jabs with our infantry brothers, sometimes about how every time the Army bought a new weapon system or vehicle, the infantry branch would get a new military occupational series (MOS), but the 19Ds would get a new additional skill identifier (ASI). This has changed somewhat, as 11Hs and 11Ms are now 11Bs or 19Ds.

Reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition (RSTA) squadron supporters seem to think RSTA roles are new and exclusive. Nothing could be further from the truth. When I pull out my trusty old U.S. Army Field Manual (FM) 17-98 (I know it's outdated) and leaf through it, I can plainly see these missions are, and always have been, cavalry scout tasks. It seems this may have been forgotten and you need an old scout to set things straight. Speaking of scouts, the 19D is, and always has been, the most versatile soldier in the Army. Take a 19D's skill level 1 manual and stack it next to any other and you will understand--the 19D has long been required to perform more different tasks than any other MOS. Most other MOS skill level 1 thru 4 manuals still do not stack up next to a scout's skill level 1. Suddenly, the "Johnny-come-latelies" do not see a future for the tried-and-true scout. They insist that only high-tech computer geeks with the latest gee-whiz gizmos can understand the future battlefield. Technology can greatly enhance our capability; it is not the end all, be all of force capability.

The greatest asset the Army has is its soldiers, and while there is a role for the tech-nerd, they can never replace the scout on the ground. They both would best be served in roles that support each other and that does not rule out additional ASIs for any MOS. There is an old saying among scouts that the scout is "the Jack of all trades and master of none." I always took issue with that. For the scout to survive and win in any of his many roles on the battlefield, the scout had to be "Jack of all trades, master of every damn one of them!"

If you cannot yet see the great parallels, then you are the field-goal kicker standing on the 25-yard line that can't see through the uprights. The scout is the adaptive soldier--he has done his mission without the glory that has been heaped on the infantry and tankers. All we need to do is adapt the new tech into the traditional cavalry. The 19D noncommissioned officers will take advantage of any good weapons system or other device and incorporate it into the mission. Technology is great, but it cannot replace the scout on the ground. Lack of human intelligence (HUMINT) has been blamed for our not finding weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Don't let the lack of HUMINT be responsible for not finding the enemy in future battles.

If you still fail to see the great truths before you, here it is: RSTA equals cavalry! Much like the song, this old soldier tried to fade away, but I realized I needed to set some things straight. So, for now, I'll go back to standby, waiting to see if you need another dose of clear thinking to see the uprights.

MATTHEW H. JOHNSON

SSG, U.S. Army, Retired

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