What is RSTA in the Army? Is it a special unit?

Question

What is RSTA in the Army? Is it a special unit?

Answer 1

Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition

RSTA units are small reconnaissance units based on cavalry battalions, and act both at the battalion level as a Brigade Reconnaissance Team for the regiment, but the infantry troop (company) in the regiment serves as a scout/sniper (with a similar role to the STA sniper (USMC) teams) company for the squadron and the brigade. The order of battle varies widely among RSTA squadrons, depending on tasking and type. Some units, such as the Stryker brigades have a relatively standard order of battle for an RSTA squadron. Typically the Department of the Army designates a battalion within a brigade/regiment as an RSTA squadron. That RSTA squadron will have 4-6 troops, typically: 3 recce troops (consisting of 19D MOS cavalry scouts and 11B infantrymen); a headquarters troop (HHT) which contains organic (that is, permanently and directly assigned) intelligence and communications support, and a surveillance section (sometimes a troop) with UAV aerial support. RSTA units can be found both in the active component of the Army (for example, 3rd Battalion (RSTA), 73rd Cavalry in the 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division) and in the National Guard (for example, 1-153rd Cav, Florida Army National Guard.)

While the above is the most typical RSTA order of battle, it was derived from the newly created Stryker Brigade Combat Teams (SBCT) and is designed around Stryker support. Non-SBCT RSTA squadrons typically have a modified order of battle. Most commonly, one of the recce troops is redesignated a dismounted infantry company (consisting of 11B MOS infantrymen) which serves as the battalion's forward scouts and usually contains the squadron's scout/snipers. The remaining recce troops assume a more traditional cavalry role.