An Imperial installation is being observed by a scout from the Rebel Alliance
Scouts were personnel tasked with reconnaissance, whether it be surveying terrain, patrolling areas, or exploring uncharted territories. Numerous organizations and factions, including the Galactic Republic, the Galactic Empire, and the Alliance to Restore the Republic, employed scouts to further their objectives.
Throughout galactic history, scouts were consistently used by various groups, militaries, and factions. Their purpose was to survey and explore specific regions of land or space, whether for exploratory or military reasons. The Gungan Grand Army utilized Gungan scouts who rode swift creatures known as kaadu into battle. These scouts played a role in the Battle of Naboo in 32 BBY, contributing to the army's victory.
During the Clone Wars, spanning from 22 BBY to 19 BBY, both sides heavily relied on scouts. The clone army of the Galactic Republic included a regiment with clone trooper scouts, identified as Advanced Recon Force Scout Trooper. A commander and a lieutenant were considered the regiment's top scouts. Furthermore, the 41st Elite Corps incorporated its own scout battalion, under the leadership of Jedi Yoda and Luminara Unduli, along with Clone Commander Gree. This battalion primarily consisted of clone scout troopers. On occasion, the Republic sought assistance from native populations for scouting purposes. An example is on Felucia, where several Felucians acted as scouts during the Second Battle of Felucia. Wollivan, an interstellar scout who charted hyperspace routes between distant stars in the galaxy, also aided the Republic.
The Confederacy of Independent Systems also made use of scouts. Battle droids were frequently assigned to scout for enemy forces on planets under their control.
When the Republic transitioned into the Galactic Empire, the use of scouts continued within the newly formed Stormtrooper Corps. These troopers, designated as Scout troopers, were commonly tasked with patrolling the wildernesses of various planets. They received training in riding 74-Z speeder bikes and were sometimes instructed in the use of sniper rifles, such as the E-11s and DLT-19x targeting blaster. The most skilled scout troopers were chosen to become Imperial sharpshooters. Regular Imperial troops were sometimes assigned to scout locations for Rebel activity.
The Rebel Alliance also employed scouts to monitor Imperial forces and their actions. Wicket W. Warrick, a resident of the Ewok Bright Tree Village, served as a scout and played a role in the Rebel Alliance's victory in the Battle of Endor.