My understanding is that it is very much a Commander / AO - METT-TC thing and that some units are more Patrol friendly than others (and obviously. location can have a bearing.). I hear a few units are less risk averse than most but that generally, Cav Platoons and Scout Platoons are converted to palace guard or personal protection (which should be a Court Martial Offense for he or she who directs that ) and the use of LRS patrols is 'not robust.'

The OpSec issue bothered me in making my post above and this one -- but the risk aversion is IMO more worrisome. It fascinates - and worries -- me that I had more latitude as a Squad Leader in Korea and as an acting Platoon Leader in Viet Nam than most Company Commanders appear to have today. We should be better trained, more trusting of a professional force and they should have more freedom of action. Sadly, none of those things appear to be true.