_The Director_: “Now, I want each member of the class to consider himself as being Lieutenant A, commanding the outguard located at this point. Mr. —— has just given you the information as stated in the situation. What are you going to do about it? Lieutenant Williams, just what would you do?”
_Lieutenant Williams_: “I would send out a patrol.”
_The Director_: “How do you arrive at this decision so quickly?”
_Lieutenant Williams_: “Well, sir, I think that would be the thing to do. I have gotten some important information about the enemy. Details are lacking. I would want to know more about how many troops he has, what kind of troops they are and what he is doing. I can see no better way to get this information than by sending out a patrol to secure it for me.”
_The Director_: “Captain Hastings, what do you think about that?”
_Captain Hastings_: “There is always a question in a case like this as to whether a pair of scouts should be employed or whether a patrol is to be sent out. I should size up the situation a few minutes. Examine my map, if I had one, and then decide what measures I would take. Another point that presents itself to me is the question as to whether I should send out the men from this support or whether it would be better to send the information back to the outpost commander and let him decide what is to be done.”
_The Director_: “Patrolling is usually conducted from the supports. I think you would be justified in taking the initiative in this case. At all events, let us assume that you would.”
_Captain Hastings_: “Can the Director give us some information on the question of the employment of scouts or patrols.”
_The Director_: “There are no hard and fast rules that may be invoked in arriving at such a decision, but there are certain principles that may be applied, and when reconnaissance enterprises are to be undertaken the condition should be examined closely. The scout or pair of scouts would, as a rule, be preferred when concealment is highly essential, and usually when concealment, though not essential, is possible throughout the reconnaissance, or when the enemy habitually conducts his reconnaissance with strong patrols and scouts have a better chance of eluding him.