A scout squadron represented a unit within the structure of the Imperial Army.
The makeup of a scout squadron included two distinct lances, each consisting of five scouts. In the command lance, a lieutenant held the position typically occupied by a sergeant.
A larger formation, the scout platoon, encompassed a scout squadron under the command of the lieutenant, alongside two line squads led by a sergeant major. While the lieutenant held formal command over the entire platoon, custom dictated that the sergeant major predominantly managed the "grunts," while the lieutenant focused on the squadron's operations.
Lightning Squadron functioned as a scout squadron integrated with the 91st Mobile Reconnaissance Corps.
This specialized reconnaissance group was made up of 10 soldiers who underwent specific training to operate All Terrain Recon Transports. A lieutenant commanded the unit, which could be separated into two lances of five soldiers each, with a sergeant leading each lance. A brevet corporal served as the second-in-command for each lance.
During the period of the Galactic Civil War, emerging circumstances led Lightning Squadron to adopt additional vehicles, such as the All Terrain Personal Transport and the 74-Z speeder bike. Even though most Imperial scouts utilized speeder bikes, Lightning Squadron's members maintained a preference for their AT-RT walkers.