Editing Reconnaissance (section)

===Route===
{{stack|[[File:US Navy 030412-N-1485H-009 Seabee Engineer Reconnaissance Team (SERT) reach their mission destination to determine if an old bridge can be used to support troop and convoy movements during an annual field exercise.jpg|thumb|U.S. [[Seabee (US Navy)|Seabee]] Engineer Reconnaissance Team on a mission to determine whether a bridge can be used to support troop and convoy movements.]]}}
[[Route reconnaissance]] is oriented on a given route (e.g., a road, a railway, a waterway; i.e., a narrow axis or a general direction of attack) to provide information on route conditions or activities along the route.  A military commander relies on information about locations along his determined route: which of those that would provide best cover and concealment; bridge by construction type, dimensions, and classification; or for [[landing zone]]s or pickup zones, if the need arises.<ref name="FM 7-92" />

In many cases, the commander may act upon a ''force-oriented'' route reconnaissance by which the enemy could influence movement along that route. For the reconnaissance platoons, or squads, stealth and speed—in conjunction with detailed intelligence-reporting—are most important and crucial. The reconnaissance platoon must remain far enough ahead of the maneuver force to assist in early warning and to prevent the force from becoming surprised.{{fact|date=December 2023}}

It is paramount to obtain information about the available space in which a force can maneuver without being forced to bunch up due to obstacles. ''Terrain-oriented'' route reconnaissance allows the commander to obtain information and capabilities about the adjacent terrain for maneuvering his forces, to include, any obstacles (minefields, barriers, steep ravines, marshy areas, or [[chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear]] contamination) that may obstruct vehicle movement—on routes to, and in, his assigned area of operations. This requirement includes the size of trees and the density of forests due to their effects on vehicle movement. Route reconnaissance also allows the observation for fields of fire along the route and adjacent terrain. This information assists planners as a supplement to map information.{{fact|date=December 2023}}