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.
REPORTING INFORMATION
When we report information about the enemy, we want to report it quickly,
accurately, and complete. Such reports should answer the questions
WHO? 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.
DEFINE S-A-L-U-T-E ACRONYM
Spot report is a report containing information for which speed of transmission
is essential. A spot report does not have a prescribed format, but use of the
S-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 or
reference from a known point including the distance and direction from the known
point
U=Unit: Report the enemy’s unit. If the unit is unknown, report any distinctive
features, 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 time
zone 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 much
detail 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 this
to 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