SALUTE REPORT

In order to survive and win on the modern battlefield, US forces must move, shoot,

and communicate effectively. The individual soldier’s ability to report intelligence

information is vital for combat success. You will be responsible for providing timely

information to your Squad, Platoon or Company. Leaders have a vital need for

information concerning the enemy, weather and terrain both before and during an

operation. Combat information enables the leader to see the battlefield and to

concentrate friendly forces at critical times and places to destroy or suppress the

enemy. You are the BEST information/intelligence source on the battlefield.

When we report information about the enemy, we want to report it quickly, accurately, and complete. Such reports should answer the questionsWHO? WHAT? WHEN? WHERE? and HOW? It is BEST to use the“S-A-L-U-T-E” format when reporting. To help you to remember details, make notes and draw sketches.

REPORTING INFORMATION

DEFINE S-A-L-U-T-E ACRONYM

Spot report is a report containing information for which speed of transmissionis essential. A spot report does not have a prescribed format, but use of theS-A-L-U-T-E format will ensure reporting of essential information.

S-A-L-U-T-E REPORT

S=Size: Report the number of personnel, vehicles, aircraft, or size of an object

A=Activity: Report detailed account of actions, I.e. direction of movement, troops digging in, artillery fire, type of attack, NBC activity

L=Location: Report where you saw the activity. Include grid coordinates orreference from a known point including the distance and direction from the knownpoint

U=Unit: Report the enemy’s unit. If the unit is unknown, report any distinctivefeatures, such as uniforms, patches or colored tabs, headgear, vehicle identification markings

T=Time: Report the time the activity was observed, not the time you report it.Always report either local or Zulu time (Zulu time is the time at the initial timezone located at Greenwich, England

E=Equipment: Report all equipment associated with the activity, such as weapons, vehicles, tools. If unable to identify the equipment, provide as muchdetail as you can so an identification can be made by higher headquarters

Remarks: Include any information not included in the S-A-L-U-T-E format

PRACTICE EXERCISE

You are located at grid ET 41400550, looking towards the north about 500 meters towards your front you see enemy. It is 14:30 hours local time. You need to report thisto your company commander.

ANSWER KEY

S=Size: 3 personnel

A=Activity: 3 soldiers moving north in a wedge formation

L=Location: 500 meters north of grid ET 41400550

U=Unit: Wearing Camouflaged BDU’s, Soft Caps, Patch on Left Sleeve

T=Time: 14:30 hours local

E=Equipment: Carrying rucksacks, Wearing Black Gloves, Carrying M16 Rifles, Wearing LBE’s

PRACTICE EXERCISE

You are located at grid ET 41400550, looking towards the north about 200 meters towards your front you see enemy.It was 13:00 hours when you seen them. You need to report This to your company commander. It is 14:30 hours local time.

ANSWER KEY

S=Size: 5 personnel

A=Activity: 5 soldiers posing for a picture

L=Location: 200 meters north of grid ET 41400550

U=Unit: Wearing Camouflaged BDU’s, Black Boots, Patch on Left Sleeve,1 soldier has a tab over his unit patch, Faces are Camouflaged

T=Time: 13:00 hours local

E=Equipment: Carrying M16 Rifles, Wearing LBE’s

QUESTIONS

Q: What do the letters in S-A-L-U-T-E equate to?

A: Size, Activity, Location, Time and Equipment

Q: Is the S-A-L-U-T-E format the prescribed format for Spot Reports?

A: No. There is no prescribed format for a Spot Report

Q: What is the definition of a Spot Report?

A: Spot report is a report containing information for which speed of transmission is essential.

Q: What are the two ways to report location?

A: Grid location and reference from a known point

Q: How is time reported?

A: Time is always reported in local time or Zulu time