Improving engineer reconnaissance in First Marine Division

Abstract

This thesis explores alternative organizational designs to improve 1st Marine Division's engineer reconnaissance capability. It defines engineer reconnaissance as a complementary component of the divisions decentralized reconnaissance function, and addresses the evolution of engineer reconnaissance and its relevence to current and future maneuver commanders. This thesis expands on current deficiencies in training, organization, and coordination to define the engineer reconnaissance deficiency in terms of an organizational design problem. Four alternative solutions are proposed to develop and maintain an improved engineer reconnaissance core competency involving both structural and training changes. This thesis evaluates each alternative by three cost criteria (personnel, training, and lateral coordination requirements), and four benefit criteria (quality, acceptability, applicability, and maintainability) using an additive weighting and ranking method of analysis to determine an optimal course of action. Results of this analysis suggest that creating an engineer reconnaissance section at 1st Combat Engineer Battalion will provide the greatest engineer reconnaissance benefit to the division at the lowest cost