“One Does Not Simply Screen, Guard, and Cover:” The Failure of Security Operations in Fantasy Warfare
14th January 2025
I am not going to bury the lead in this article: fantasy armies are simply terrible when it comes to conducting security operations. It certainly builds tension with the audience when one side is on the cusp of losing a battle, quickly followed by a moment of pure exhilaration when an ally arrives unexpectedly and saves the day, but nothing infuriates me more than when I see this happen on-screen. This is because the opposing army is apparently great at tactical operations right up until the point the script requires them to not be. Where is their reconnaissance element? Where are the pickets? Where is the lone scout who can warn their commander an enemy army is like to arrive in force within the next half hour?
According to Field Manual (FM) 3-98, Reconnaissance and Security Operations, Security Operations are to “provide early and accurate warning of enemy operations, to provide the force being protected with time and maneuver space within which to react to the enemy, and to develop the situation to allow commanders to effectively use their force;” this essentially means security operations keep a force from being surprised or they protect a force if they believe contact is likely to occur. Whether it is the fault of the tactical Commanders on screen or the military advisors off it, it is painstakingly obvious neither have ever glanced in the direction of FM 3-98. Fantasy warfare would be far more realistic, but much less exciting, if armies conducted proper security operations during an engagement.
Reconnaissance is the defining job of light cavalry, and has been since men started riding horses.