What is the primary focus during a recon operation?

During a recon operation, the primary focus is indeed to remain undetected while gathering critical information. The essence of reconnaissance is to collect vital data on enemy positions, movements, and strengths without alerting them to your presence. This stealth enables the cavalry scout to gather accurate intelligence that can significantly influence the success of subsequent operations.

Being undetected ensures that the information collected is a true reflection of the enemy's capabilities and movements, allowing for informed decision-making. Engaging enemy forces or conducting frontal attacks during a recon mission would compromise the operation's primary objective, which is to gather information rather than engage in combat. The nature of reconnaissance emphasizes the importance of subtlety and secrecy to maximize the effectiveness and safety of the scouting mission.