Military In military tactics, a patrol(pu'tro'wl)'s often a small tactical grouping sent out by land, sea or air to perform a specific task. The basic task of a patrol's to follow a known route at regular intervals looking out for anything out of the ordinary — which if found will be reported or dealt with as appropriate. A patrol may also be a reconnaissance patrol, sent to investigate some feature of interest, or a fighting patrol (US combat patrol), sent to find and engage the enemy.… (More on Patrol)