[2] The DRTs continue on the Recondo legacy of the Vietnam-era Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols (LRRP),[3] however, compared to the LRRPs they are often assigned additional non-reconnaissance responsibilities such as battlespace ownership.
[4] As of 2024, some DRTs have been converted to Multifunctional Reconnaissance Companies (MFRC), with a greater focus on unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and less reliance on snipers.
[2] Though capable of performing many of the same missions as the mounted cavalry troops, as there is only one DRT in the brigade, in practice it is reserved for specialized missions and operations (particularly involving terrain that denies the usage of heavier vehicles or when emphasizing stealth over speed) or rarely for directs fires on specific targets provided in the commander's high-payoff target list (HPTL).
[8] The troop is also trained to conduct aerial insertion and extraction using the SPIES system, fast-roping, helocasting, or through establishing its own helicopter landing zone through pathfinding operations.
[2] The DRT also has a Raven unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) which is typically used to support either of the two scout platoons or to surveil a separate named area of interest; some DRTs have utilized other platform such as the Instant Eye sUAS.
[1] While largely lacking organic transport, the dismounted reconnaissance troop is easily deployable from both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft.
[9] However the mix of mounted and dismounted troops within the squadron creates a mismatch in maneuvering ability[9] and may require augmentation with additional transportation resources.
[2] The brigade's Combat Observation and Lasing Team (COLT), though not organically part of the DRT, is often collocated with the troop to provide additional supporting fires.
[1] In 2016 there were proposals to change to IBCT's task organization to disband the DRT in favor of adding additional combat power to the mounted reconnaissance troops.
[13][12][14] In comparison to the DRT, the MFRC has fewer snipers but more UAS and cUAS assets, as well as an organic air-defense capability in the form of a Stinger team.
[2] The troop is one of the few formations in the IBCT that has the ability to conduct long-range high frequency (HF) and tactical satellite (TACSAT) communications to relay information.