Civil Reconnaissance (CR) is a core Civil Affairs mission focused on collecting and evaluating civil information within the operational environment (OE). It’s a deliberate, systematic activity that enhances the commander’s situational awareness by identifying civil factors that impact military operations.
While traditional reconnaissance might focus on enemy movement or terrain, CR zeroes in on the civilian domain—infrastructure, services, local governance, population needs, and societal dynamics.
As a new 38G officer, your technical expertise brings critical value to CR missions. Your role isn’t just to observe, but to help interpret and evaluate civil conditions using your sector knowledge—be it economics, public health, infrastructure, or another functional area.
🎯 Key Functions of Civil Reconnaissance
(Derived from FM 3-57, Paragraphs 1-24 to 1-25)
| Function | Description |
|---|---|
| Targeted Civil Observation | Systematic collection of civil data across human, physical, and informational domains in response to the commander’s information requirements. |
| Support to Civil Analysis | Provides inputs that feed into Civil Information Management (CIM), operational planning, and decision-making. |
| Integration with CA Core Tasks | Conducted throughout all CA operations—engagements, assessments, and governance support rely on timely civil reconnaissance. |
| Use of Specialized Tools | Employs tools such as drones, open-source research, sensors, and routine engagements to gather information. |
| Enable Measures of Effectiveness | Helps assess progress by identifying changes in civil conditions over time and evaluating the impact of military or humanitarian efforts. |
🧠 How 38Gs Support Civil Reconnaissance
As a Functional Specialist, your job isn’t to lead the patrol—it’s to enhance the quality of the reconnaissance by providing expert insight during planning, execution, and analysis. CR is where your civilian background meets military mission requirements.
Here’s how you might contribute:
| Example SI (Skill Identifier) | Your Role in CR |
|---|---|
| P9 – Economic Development | Evaluate markets, employment trends, supply chains, and identify economic vulnerabilities. |
| P4 – Public Health | Assess the status of clinics, disease trends, WASH conditions, and public health infrastructure. |
| P3 – Governance | Observe functioning of local institutions, rule of law issues, and community trust in civil authority. |
| P1 – Infrastructure | Identify damage to roads, power grids, water systems, and prioritize restoration needs. |
| P6 – Education | Monitor access to schools, educational quality, and shifts in community engagement with learning systems. |
In many cases, you may not be physically conducting reconnaissance yourself—but your expertise can shape what to look for, how to interpret it, and what it means for mission success.
Civil Reconnaissance is how Civil Affairs captures the pulse of the population. It’s the first step toward shaping an environment that is secure, stable, and receptive to U.S. objectives.
As a 38G, your ability to spot nuance, assess systems, and translate observations into actionable insights will often make the difference between a generic report and a mission-enabling recommendation.
Whether embedded in a CA team or providing remote support, your role in CR helps answer the question:
“What is really happening on the ground—and what should we do about it?”