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Cavalry Units

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CAVALRY INSIGNIA

From the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry


Collar Insignia	Cavalry Plaque

Collar Insignia: Two crossed sabers in scabbards, cutting edge up, 11/16 inch in height, of gold color metal.

The cavalry insignia was adopted in 1851. Officers and enlisted personnel assigned to cavalry regiments, cavalry squadrons or separate cavalry troops are authorized to wear the cavalry collar insignia in lieu of their insignia of branch when approved by the MACOM commander. Some of the armor and aviation units are designated cavalry units.

Branch Plaque: The plaque design has the Cavalry insignia and rim in gold. The background is white and the letters are scarlet.

Regimental Insignia: Personnel assigned to cavalry units affiliate with a specific regiment of their branch or cavalry unit and wear the insignia of the affiliated regiment.

Regimental Coat of Arms: Each cavalry regiment has its own coat of arms that is displayed on the breast of a displayed eagle. The background of all cavalry flags is yellow.

Colors: Although cavalry is not a branch, yellow is used as a branch color for personnel assigned to cavalry units. In March 1855, two regiments of cavalry were created and their trimmings were to be "yellow." In 1861, the designation of dragoon and mounted rifleman disappeared, all becoming cavalry with "yellow" as their colors. Yellow was continued as the color for cavalry units subsequent to abolishment as a branch. Although the regimental flags for cavalry units are yellow, the troop guidons are red and white without an insignia on the guidon.

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The primary mission of the Regimental Aviation Squadron, Division Cavalry Squadron (heavy, light, and airborne), and Air Cavalry Squadron is to conduct reconnaissance and security operations. When appropriately task organized, the unit may participate in other security missions. The air cavalry performs air combat as part of the counter-reconnaissance effort, or to protect the overall force or organic units by providing local security. The air cavalry assists in C³I enhancement; in addition to reconnaissance and security. Through these missions, they provide timely intelligence concerning the enemy, terrain, and weather throughout the AO and early warning against enemy observation or attack. Today's cavalry regiments and squadrons must be able to conduct operations across a wide range (peace, conflict, and war) against threats ranging in size from major regional powers, lesser powers, and terrorist groups to insurgents. Cavalry regiments and squadrons may be among the first units to initially deploy into an area to conduct stability operations, support operations or operations as part of the post conflict phase of some other contingency operation.

* Note: Description provided by US Army FM FM 1-114 AIR CAVALRY SQUADRON AND TROOP OPERATIONS

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The ACR is a separate corps maneuver unit. As a corps asset, it predominantly operates for the corps commander by performing reconnaissance, security, and economy of force missions. The regiment (like the separate brigade) is considered by the corps staff as a major element of corps maneuver combat power on a par with the division. The regimental staff works closely with the corps. The staff ensures that the regiment is adequately planned for in corps operations. The regiment may also be placed under OPCON of or attached to a division. This is done for operations when command relationships better support mission accomplishment. Some missions require the regiment to reinforce a division with a squadron. A reinforced ACS is normally assigned this task. The ACS is attached or placed OPCON to the division.

The ACR operates independently over a wide area. It also operates at extended distances from other units. The ACR is a highly mobile, armored force. It is capable of fighting a fully mechanized threat in a mid-to high-intensity environment.

The ACR is normally the foundation around which the corps covering force is built. As a covering force, the regiment is expected to destroy a significant number of enemy forces in the corps security area. This requires attacking, defending, and delaying as necessary to accomplish the corps commander's intent. The ACR may also become part of the corps reserve or perform rear area operations.

The ACR is an ideal force for use in an economy of force role. This allows the corps commander to concentrate forces at the decisive point on the battlefield. If assigned a defend mission in an economy of force role, the ACR requires minimum augmentation with combat (normally infantry), CS (artillery, engineer), and CSS assets. Commitment of the ACR to this mission normally requires other corps assets to assume the corps security function.

* Note: Description provided by US Army FM 63-1 SUPPORT BATTALIONS and SQUADRONS, SEPARATE BRIGADES and ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT

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In an armor or mechanized infantry battalion, the scout platoon performs several critical tasks in support of the battalion commander’s concept of the operation. The success or failure of the scout platoon often has a direct impact on the success or failure of the main force. As the eyes and ears of the battalion, the scout platoon leader must stay in communication with the battalion tactical operations center (TOC). This is necessary to keep the platoon informed of the battalion and brigade situation as well as the current enemy situation and to ensure information gained by the platoon is transmitted to the battalion in a timely manner.

The battalion commander must make his intent clear to the scout platoon leader. The commander must ensure that his initial operation order (OPORD) and any following fragmentary orders (FRAGO) focus the scout platoon on its mission by telling the platoon leader what is expected of the reconnaissance or security effort in each phase of the operation. The intent includes the commander’s criteria for recovering the scouts. He must make it clear whether he intends for the scouts to conduct stay-behind operations after the enemy main body has passed their locations or to pass through friendly lines before the arrival of the enemy main body.

The commander also specifies priority intelligence requirements (PIR), covering the information for which he has an anticipated and stated priority in his task of planning and decision-making. Often stated in question form, PIR are the tactical and operational considerations that are the foundation for development of the battalion reconnaissance and surveillance (R&S) plan.

In turn, the scout platoon leader needs to understand how he and his platoon fit into the R&S intelligence collection process. He works closely with the S2, who is a key player in the development of the R&S plan and the intelligence preparation of the battlefield (IPB) process. The S2’s planning for R&S and IPB is further enhanced through an integrated staff effort to ensure that all R&S assets, including the scout platoon, receive adequate support to accomplish their missions.

* Note: Information provided by US Army FM 17-98 SCOUT PLATOON