The Recondo School was formed in December 1958 by General Westmoreland for the purpose of training small unit leaders in the advanced techniques of patrolling, Ranger/Airborne type operations, mountaineering, and stream crossing. The Recondo School has been in continuous operation since formed and as of April 1967 has graduated 4,162 students. All instructors are Ranger/ Airborne qualified and combat veterans of the Korean War and/or the present Vietnam conflict.
The course of instruction is designed to be extremely difficult and students are subjected to the most adverse conditions of weather and terrain. It is not a theory course but a doer course with the students being required to demonstrate proficiency in all subjects taught. The Program of Instruction in this pamphlet lists all subjects taught and the hours devoted to each. Upon graduation the student earns the privilege of wearing the Recondo Brand (shown on cover) on the right breast pocket of the field and work uniform while assigned to the Division. The Recondo Brand is worn with justifiable pride for not every entering student has what it takes in courage and skill to successfully complete this arduous training. The pictures in this pamphlet were selected to show each phase of training. The basic principles taught by the Recondo School are recognized as valid by every nation’s military forces, and recently the Australian Army started a similar school. These same principles and techniques are not new to warfare and were aptly set forth by Major Robert Rogers in his standing order to his Rangers in 1756.
After reviewing this pamphlet each young man of military age should ask himself, “Do I have what it takes to be a RECONDO?”
PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION
|
SUBJECT |
HOURS |
| Processing |
3 |
| Orientation |
1 |
| Physical Training and Recondo March (run) |
13 |
| Leadership | 9 |
| Methods of Instruction | 6 |
| Leadership Laboratory | 24 |
| Knot Tying | 1 |
| First Aide | 1 |
| Evasion and Escape | 1 |
| Ambush and Counterambush | 7 |
| Mountaineering and Knot Tying II | 8 |
| Stream Crossing | 8 |
| Preparation For and Conduct of Aerial Resupply | 2 |
| Forward Observer and Adjustment of Artillery Fire | 2 |
| Leadership Examination | 1 |
| Confidence Course | 2 |
| Survival | 4 |
| Confidence Test | 3 |
| TAC Officer and NCO Time, Counselling and Inspections | 17 |
| Study Periods | 18 |
| Map Reading | 14 |
| Map Reading Examination | 2 |
| Combatives – Hand‑to‑Hand Combat | 8 |
| Guerrilla and Counterguerrilla Warfare | 1 |
PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION page 2
| Combat Intelligence | 1 |
| Patrolling – Classroom Instruction | 10 |
| Preparation for and Conduct of Inspections | 2 |
| Physical Combat Proficiency Test | 2 |
| Communication Procedures and Equipment | 1 |
| Map Reading – Field Application | 4 |
| Practice Day Map/Compass Course | 4 |
| Practice Night Compass Course | 5 |
| Record Day Map/Compass Course | 4 |
| Record Night Compass Course | 6 |
| Demolitions | 6 |
| Expedient Weapons | 4 |
| Walk‑Through Patrol (Cadre‑Led Combat Patrol) | 13 |
| Patrol Problem #1 (Reconnaissance Patrol) | 13 |
| Patrol Problem #2 (Combat Patrol) | 15 |
| Patrol Problem #3 (combat Patrol via Parachute Entry) | 20 |
| Patrol Problem #4 (Ambush Patrol) | 18 |
| Patrol Problem #5 (Combat Patrol via Parachute Entry) | 24 |
| Patrol Problem #6 (Raid) | 24 |
| General Subjects Review, Examination and Critique | 3 |
| Critique of Course | 2 |
| Graduation Ceremony | 1 |
Total Hours 338
STANDING ORDERS, ROGERS RANGERS
1. Don’t forget nothing.
2. Have your musket clean as a whistle, hatchet scoured, sixty rounds powder and ball, and be ready to march at a minute’s warning.
3. When you’re on the march, act the way you would if you was sneaking up on a deer. See the enemy first.
4. Tell the truth about what you see and what you do. There is an Army depending on us for correct information. You can lie all you please when you tell other folks about the Rangers, but don’t never lie to a Ranger or Officer.
5. Don’t never take a chance you don’t have to.
6. When you’re on the march we march single file, far enough apart so one shot can’t go through two men.
7. If we strike swamps, or soft ground, we spread out abreast, so it’s hard to track us.
8. When we march, we keep moving ’til dark, so as to give the enemy the least possible chance at us.
9. When we camp, half the party stays awake while the other half sleeps.
10. If we take prisoners, we keep ’em apart ’til we have had time to examine ’ern so they can’t cook up a story between ’em.
11. Don’t ever march home the same way. Take a different route so you won’t be ambushed.
12. No matter whether we travel in big parties or little ones, each party has to keep a scout 20 yards ahead, 20 yards on each flank and 20 yards in the rear, so the main body can’t be surprised and wiped out.
13. Every night you’ll be told where to meet if surrounded by a superior force.
14. Don’t sit down to eat without posting sentries.
15. Don’t sleep beyond dawn. Dawn’s when the French and Indians attack.
16. Don’t cross a river by a regular ford.
STANDING ORDERS, ROGERS RANGERS
17. If somebody’s trailing you, make a circle, come back onto your own tracks, and ambush the folks that aim to ambush you.
18. Don’t stand up when the enemy’s coming against you. Kneel down, lie down, hide behind a tree.
19. Let the enemy come ’til he’s almost close enough to touch. Then let him have it and jump out and finish him up with your hatchet.
MAJOR ROBERT ROGERS 1756