FORT BENNING, Ga., (Nov. 13, 2013) -- For 29 days, students of the Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leaders Course accept the physical and mental rigor of developing a sharp eye and confidence to accurately spot the enemy from the land or sky.
Taught by D Company, 3rd Squadron, 16th Cavalry Regiment, RSLC is open to all branches of the military, various military occupational specialties and inter-agency partners in law enforcement and other government agencies. The purpose of the course is to teach reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition to students who are currently serving in reconnaissance units or may serve in the future, said RSLC Company Commander Capt. Mark Herlick. Units could range from SEALs, Marine reconnaissance, Special Forces detachments, Rangers and other units that conduct reconnaissance and surveillance.
RSLC is set apart from other reconnaissance courses due to its focus on the execution of reconnaissance and surveillance tasks and teaching, gathering and reporting information skills. Although the majority of students are E-4 through E-6, senior NCOs and officers also attend the course.
RSLC combines classroom instruction with days of graded hands-on field training exercises in urban and wooded environments on Fort Benning. In the first week, students execute a seven-hour land navigation course during day and limited visibility. Students learn how to camouflage themselves and equipment, stalking techniques and the selection, occupation and concealment of surveillance sites.
The course also accommodates military freefall teams.
"We're one of the few courses in TRADOC where students who are military freefall qualified from the force can come in and jump together and be evaluated by the course cadre," said RSLC 1st Sgt. Brian Baumgartner.
In the second week, students learn how to send messages across the frequency spectrum, using high frequency, very high frequency and ultra high frequency radios. Insertion and extraction techniques are conducted through fast rope insertion/extraction system (FRIES) and special patrol insertion/extraction system training, or SPIES.
"Communications is really important here," said Staff Sgt. Daniel Bahruth, instructor for RSLC. "We teach high frequency radio, and no one else in the Army is operating with high frequency besides this unit. We still teach a lot of antenna theory and how to use radios."
Staff Sgt. Jeremy Lemma, of 2nd Squadron, 38th Cavalry Regiment, from Fort Hood, Texas, entered the course expecting long hours filled with planning processes, carrying heavy equipment and learning the basics of communications.
"What's unique about a reconnaissance and surveillance Soldier is that you're never supposed to come within close range of the enemy," Lemma said. "It's a very intriguing course because all the different methods of insertion, extraction, SPIES and airborne insertion. We're the ears and eyes of the battlefield, so we watch from afar so the main effort can come in."
In the final week, students learn how to plan an operation using the troop leading procedures and incorporating air movement, fires, and evasion and recovery planning. Graduates leave the course with the skills to plan and conduct a wide variety of reconnaissance and surveillance operations for the supported commander.
"I've been in LRS for two years now without any previous experience of RSLC and this course shows me how much I did not know," Lemma said. "Just from learning high frequency communication and the rigorous planning process, you can bring this back and teach your Soldiers the basics. More people in the reconnaissance community need to come to this school and get a better grasp of it."
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