UNSC Army Cavalry Squadron Structure

Cavalry squadrons are battalion-size units dedicated to reconnaissance and security. They provide recon & security to UNSC Army divisions & some brigades, and form the main maneuver component of cavalry regiments. These squadrons combine scouts, mortars, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), specialized sensors & weapons, and sustainment into a unit fit for providing information, reaction time, and maneuver space to the supported force. 
The cavalry squadrons’ recon & security mission includes gathering information on threats, terrain, & other aspects of the operating environment, protecting the front or flanks of the main force, and rear-area security. Their operations vary widely, from stealthy reconnaissance of a route conducted at a slow, deliberate pace to forceful guarding missions that plan to engage the enemy with direct and indirect fires. 
Most UNSC Army recon & security units carry cavalry traditions, including unit names specific to cavalry. Cavalry squadrons and troops are equivalent to battalions and companies in other traditions.
== Structure ==
Squadrons are structured according to tables of organization and equipment (TOEs) created by Army headquarters. Deviation from these TOEs is common for all manner of unit, since unique operational needs, manpower shortages, or differences in available equipment may necessitate changes. Some of these, such as the addition of human intelligence teams, are codified as alternative TOEs. 
Compared to line battalions, cavalry squadrons operate over much wider distances. As such, they are somewhat larger and have enablers normally found at the brigade level. Cavalry squadrons commonly receive a battery of artillery assigned to directly support them, in addition to more situational attachments like combat engineer companies. 
=== General Template ===
There are multiple types of cavalry squadron defined by the platforms that they use to move, fight, and collect information. These offer different capabilities, but follow the same general template. The squadron is commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel, with Captains in charge of each troop and a First or Second Lieutenant for each platoon.
Three cavalry troops and one supplementary troop comprise the squadron’s maneuver force. The troop headquarters section contains the commander, executive officer, first sergeant, operations sergeant, a few drivers, a small UAS team, and a few trucks to support the troop. All types of cavalry troop contain three scout platoons, which typically contain six teams and vehicles which are organized into two or three sections. A mortar section and, in many troops, a weapons section support the scout platoons, with the mortar section typically using 120mm or extended-range 81mm mortars in order to deliver fires across a wide frontage. The supplementary troop may provide either additional weapons platforms or dismounted scouts to the squadron. Cavalry troops often receive outside attachments, such as fire support teams and field maintenance teams. 
One surveillance troop provides additional sensing capability to the squadron. A sensor platoon contains dedicated sensor platforms with ground surveillance radar, LIDAR, and passive sensing units. An e-recon platoon monitors enemy signal traffic for intercept and direction-finding purposes, and is also responsible for jamming efforts. A UAS platoon employs multiple models of recon and light attack UAS. Finally, a sniper squad or section provides low-footprint dismounted observation capabilities. 
The forward support troop (FST) provides logistical support to the squadron. It is divided into three forward support platoons and one squadron support platoon. The forward support platoons each contain a feeding team, distribution section with some trucks and cargo handling equipment, and a maintenance section with a maintenance control team and field maintenance squad. Each is aligned to support a cavalry troop and its attachments. The squadron support platoon follows a similar split, but has heavier and more specialized equipment in order to serve as the hub from which the forward platoons draw supplies. Due to the size and complexity of the FST, it is commanded by a Major instead of a Captain. 
The headquarters and headquarters troop (HHT) contains the command & staff group which runs the squadron along with several supporting assets. The command & staff group includes the commander, executive officer, sergeant major, and staff shops for administration, intelligence, operations, logistics, and signal. A retransmission section ensures network coverage over the squadron area of operations. The HHT has a medical platoon, which contains a medical treatment section, a forward evac squad, and an area evac squad using unarmored Warthog-based ambulances. An antitank platoon provides non-line-of-sight (NLOS) antitank guided missile (ATGM) support to the squadron.
=== Light Cavalry Squadron ===
Light cavalry units use unarmored vehicles, primarily Warthogs, and dismounted teams for moving and scouting. They are self-mobile across long distances, have relatively modest logistical needs, can move quickly on and off roads, and are light enough to airlift with only minor difficulty. However, their vehicles are unprotected and each troop has limited dismount strength and heavy weaponry compared to heavier types of squadron. They are only suitable for forceful reconnaissance against lightly armed threats. 
The three main cavalry troops use Warthogs, with each of the three scout platoons containing three gun trucks and three transport Warthogs. The weapons section provides additional explosive and anti-armor firepower, while the mortar section typically uses 120mm or extended-range 81mm mortars deployed from Warthogs. 
The fourth troop is composed of dismounted scouts in order to offset the limited dismount capacity of the Warthog platoons. Each platoon has three larger trucks attached to transport the scouts, but these are not intended to fight in any capacity. The dismounted scouts are ideally suited for stealthy reconnaissance, supported by the troop’s mortar and dismounted weapons sections.
The surveillance troop uses Warthogs as sensor platforms and light trucks as e-recon platforms, alongside a standard UAS platoon and full sniper section. 
The FST has modest fuel and maintenance assets, while the HHT’s medical platoon uses Warthog-based ambulances and mobile surgical theaters based on light trucks. The HHT’s antitank platoon uses NLOS ATGM carriers also derived from light trucks. 
Light cavalry squadrons are found in light infantry divisions, light cavalry regiments, and some light brigades. 
=== Intermediate Cavalry Squadron ===
Intermediate cavalry units use lightly armored trucks to move, fight, and observe. They are self-mobile over long distances, can move quickly on roads and maintain good mobility off-road, have moderate logistical needs, and are feasible to airlift. Their vehicles are lightly protected, but provide significant dismount strength and a moderate amount of heavy weaponry. They are capable of forceful reconnaissance against moderately armed threats. 
The three main cavalry troops use lightly armored trucks, with each of the three scout platoons typically containing three configured as armored cars and three configured as transports for dismounted scouts. The weapons section provides additional explosive and anti-armor firepower, while the mortar section typically uses 120mm or extended-range 81mm mortars mounted on similar trucks. 
The fourth troop is a weapons troop containing four platoons. Two platoons are dedicated to anti-armor weapons while the other two use other weapons, typically including a secondary air defense capability. 
The surveillance troop uses armored trucks as platforms for the sensor platoon and e-recon platoon. It has a full sniper section. 
The FST has somewhat more fueling and maintenance capacity than its light counterpart. The HHT uses lightly armored trucks for the medical platoon’s ambulances and mobile surgical theaters, while its antitank platoon uses NLOS ATGM carriers derived from light trucks. 
Intermediate cavalry squadrons are primarily found in light and mechanized cavalry regiments. 
=== Mechanized Cavalry Squadron ===
Mechanized cavalry units use wheeled armored vehicles, often including derivatives of the Mastodon family, for mobility, sensing, and combat. They are self-mobile over long distances, can move quickly on roads, and have moderately heavy logistical needs, but they are not feasible to airlift and have less off-road mobility than other types of cavalry. Their vehicles are well protected and provide significant dismount strength and heavy weaponry. They are capable of forceful reconnaissance against well armed threats. 
The three main cavalry troops use wheeled cavalry fighting vehicles (CFVs), which are typically capable of fighting and carrying dismount teams. Thus, the three scout platoons generally use six identical CFVs. A mortar section armed with 120mm mortar carriers provides indirect fire. The fourth troop is a weapons troop, divided into two antitank platoons and two general weapons platoons. 
The surveillance troop uses light armored vehicles as platforms for its sensor platoon and e-recon platoon. 
The FST has significantly increased fueling and maintenance assets, including a field maintenance team with armored recovery vehicles in each forward support platoon. The HHT uses light armored vehicles as the basis for ambulances and mobile surgical theaters in its medical platoon, as well as NLOS ATGM carriers in its antitank platoon. 
Mechanized cavalry squadrons are found in mechanized divisions, mechanized cavalry regiments, and some brigades.
=== Armored Cavalry Squadron ===
Armored cavalry units use tracked armored vehicles to move and scout. They require external transport assets, often rail or oceanic, in order to move long distances, and are not feasible to airlift. Their tracked vehicles are highly mobile off-road, are heavily protected, and provide significant dismount strength and weaponry. They are capable of forceful reconnaissance against heavily armed threats. 
The three main cavalry troops use tracked CFVs capable of fighting and carrying dismounted scouts. Each of the three scout platoons typically uses six identical CFVs. Most armored cavalry troops include a weapons section to provide additional direct firepower, while a mortar section with tracked 120mm mortar carriers provides indirect fire. 
A tank company, typically employing the Scorpion or Viper families, provides additional direct firepower. It is typically divided into three platoons of four tanks each, identically to the tank companies in a combined arms battalion. 
The surveillance troop uses light tracked armored vehicles as platforms for its sensor platoon and e-recon platoon. 
The FST has heavily increased fueling and maintenance assets, including a field maintenance team with armored recovery vehicles in each forward support platoon. The HHT uses light tracked vehicles as the basis for ambulances & mobile surgical theaters in its medical platoon, as well as NLOS ATGM carriers in its antitank platoon. 
Armored cavalry squadrons are found in armored divisions, armored cavalry regiments, and some armored brigades.
== Heritage ==
Like many echelons of the UNSC Army, cavalry squadrons commonly trace unit heritages back for centuries through a messy, and largely imaginary, lineage. Many of these are tied to a particular regiment or brigade that the squadron was historically affiliated with, whether or not that parent unit still exists. Battalion-size recon & security units most commonly have cavalry heritages, and Army doctrine refers to them with cavalry-specific language, but some have infantry or other heritages and use the appropriate terminology.