What is a common goal for both combat and reconnaissance patrols?

Both combat and reconnaissance patrols share the common goal of gathering intelligence. This objective is fundamental to military operations, as understanding the enemy's movements, strengths, and weaknesses enables better decision-making and mission planning.

In combat patrols, intelligence-gathering is essential for assessing enemy positions and activities, which can inform tactical maneuvers and ensure the safety of the unit. Similarly, reconnaissance patrols focus specifically on collecting information about the environment, terrain, and enemy forces to support strategic objectives.

The emphasis on intelligence in both types of patrols highlights the importance of situational awareness in combat scenarios, ensuring that military leaders have the information necessary to act effectively. Other options, while relevant to specific missions, do not represent the primary or shared objective between combat and reconnaissance patrols. For instance, securing a hostile area might be a goal of a combat operation but does not apply to reconnaissance missions. Establishing supply lines and training new recruits are also important military tasks, but they differ from the intelligence-gathering focus that is central to both patrol types.