Reconnaissance can be accomplished by different means.

Most often you sneak up close enough to observe what the enemy is doing. You would text or use a radio to communicate what you see.

A drone can be used or a remote controlled vehicle with a camera can be sent to take video and pictures.

Many times, you want to use binoculars so you stay a long distance from your target.

Some night vision devices have a way of recording video or pictures. Sending back live images in real time is a good technique.

Keep it simple. Focus on what you want to communicate. Use simple words.

Identify yourself on the radio.
Where are you at? Don’t give away actual position. Say, “I am at the observation area”.
What are you looking at? I see 14 enemy, two vehicles, and they have a dirt bike.
Wait or ask for further instructions. Say, “Awaiting further instructions, over”.

Recon relies on good communication skills. Click on the link and go to the communication skills area to learn more.

Reconnaissance for missionary work is obviously not the same as the military.

Some of the missions The Youth Division or missionaries might benefit from depend on several factors.
The Youth Division might be interested in bringing in a mobile kid’s program and needs to send a small team of two to see what buildings are available, is there electricity and how much, is there bathrooms and how many.

Recon missions for missionaries might be much closer to military-type recon. A missionary group might want to enter a dangerous area with warlords or go into an actual war zone. A six-person recon team could go ahead of them and make sure the coast is clear. This would resemble what Pathfinders do in the Army.

In some cases, a recon team needs to stalk another team at night. This requires stealth and patience. While this activity is mostly for fun, it could have real live value. In a war zone in which missionaries have been abducted, a stalking team could follow them to where ever they are being held. Once this place is located, actual military could be called in.

Basic recon training is about observing and reporting.
The next phase of training would involve map reading and locating target points.
The third phase of training would be an actual mission in which a small team locates a site, takes measurements, pictures, and reports back.
Special recon missions could involve amphibious training, preparing an area for a helicopter to land, making contact with a team or person far behind enemy lines, or maybe infiltrating another group dressed as civilians so as to collect information.

Compass and map reading skills are very important.
Communicating skills and observational skills are imperative.  
With today’s modern technology, it is good to understand how to send pictures, video, and recordings electronically.

Long Range Reconnaissance is defined by The Youth Division as any mission farther than 5 miles from the starting point if the team is on foot. Most recon missions are for fun and stay within a 2-mile area. There are recon missions in which vehicles are used to get to the observation point, but these are technically not long range.

Recon is the ultimate in stealth operations. Good recon members are also good at escape and evasion courses. Gulli suits are typically worn and night vision is a must.

Knowing how to play recon in your backyard is fun, but if you want to be good at it, you need to train in other areas.

Sometimes weather conditions can introduce new challenges. Recon must go out in rain, snow, and heat. Snow conditions involves different colored camouflage.

Another skill is to learn how to stay awake all night and how to set up a perimeter so the enemy cannot sneak up on your team. Two-person teams will often rest sitting back-to-back so they can see 360 degrees. Six-person teams can take turns napping while a perimeter is monitored.

Recon teams also learn how to set up trip wires and traps quickly to slow down enemies who are pursuing them. They learn about diversion tactics as well.

Recon also learns advance methods of reporting and communicating. Sometimes communicating involves coded messages.

Six-person teams are made up of individuals with specialty training. For instance, one might have some medical training whereas another is trained to use a drone. One might specialize in navigation and another in communication. Most team members know how to do the jobs of their teammates in case a member is lost.

Recon is perhaps the most challenging job but can also be a lot of fun. If the individual is motivated, Recon status can be achieved in a year.