_The Director_: “The first duty of a patrol is to get information, and information is greatly increased in value if the enemy does not know that it has been obtained. The patrol is required, primarily, to discover whether or not the enemy is in a certain locality. This information is only useful to the officer who sent the patrol out. It is, therefore, the next duty of the patrol to get the information back as soon as possible, especially when the enemy is met. “Next of importance in the duties of the patrol is to continue to observe the enemy when once discovered, to follow him up and ascertain the direction taken if he retires, or to fall back if he advances in strength, endeavoring to keep even with him on a flank. The enemy is certain to send out scouts to his front, but may neglect his flanks. “Boldness must be tempered with caution. It is useless to obtain information if you cannot get it back where it will do some good. A little information sent in in time to be of use is clear gain to your side. A patrol that finds out all about the enemy and ends up by falling into the hands of the enemy is a dead loss not only in men but in time as other patrols will have to be sent out to get the same information on which important decisions may depend.” Procedure _The Director_: “Lieutenant Wallace, one of the first questions that will present itself to the support commander is the selection of a patrol leader. What factors would you consider in this matter?” _Lieutenant Wallace_: “In the first place I would want a non-commissioned officer for patrol leader; further, I would want to send out the best qualified one in the platoon. To meet this requirement I would select the platoon sergeant to lead this patrol. The importance of the mission is such as to warrant sending him.” _The Director_: “Lieutenant Ralston, do you agree with this solution?” _Lieutenant Ralston_: “No, sir. I realize the importance of the mission of the patrol. I know we should have a qualified man to lead it, but I should hesitate to send my platoon sergeant out.” _The Director_: “I think you are right and when Lieutenant Wallace reflects on the matter I think he will agree with you. The platoon sergeant has a multitude of duties to perform in connection with the interior administration of the platoon. In his administrative capacity he is to the platoon what the first sergeant is to the company. In addition, he has his tactical duties to perform. He is the second in command, and should anything happen to the platoon leader he automatically assumes charge. There is no other man in the platoon who is so familiar with all the details of the dispositions of the support and the orders under which it is operating. I do not believe it would be good policy to send the platoon sergeant out on a reconnoitering mission which may well extend into the night.