Methodology 1: Field Reporting through SALUTE
For reporting of threats, oddities or other notes of interest, please refer to SALUTE standards—
As printed in the United States Marine Corps, School of Infantry, Marine Combat Training Battalion Student Handout:
REPORTING INFORMATION, CS11002, Section 4, Page 228-229:
4.
SALUTE Report. The standard format for reporting enemy information is the SALUTE report.
SALUTE is an acronym that stands for Size, Activity, Location, Unit identification, Time, and Equipment. The report body should be brief, accurate, and clear. Facts and opinions are distinguished. If secondhand information is reported, its source is included.
SALUTE reports include all information of value, first about the enemy, and then about the originator. Messages are printed in block letters if handwritten. Individual items of information are numbered and separated into paragraphs.
a. Information about the enemy must cover:(1)
Size and/or strength of the enemy.
(2)
Actions or activity of the enemy. (Sitting, driving, demeanor such as waiting for someone, lounging, reading)
(3)
Location of the enemy and direction of movement. (At restaurant, driving SOUTHBOUND, stationary)
(4)
Unit identification. The designation of the enemy unit may be derived from unit markings, uniforms worn, or thorough information provided by enemy prisoners.
(5)
Time and date the enemy was observed. (Local time plus timezone)
(6)
Equipment and weapons observed. (If civilian, laptop, smartphone, notebook or reading a novel, type and color of vehicles)
b. Information about the originator or writer must cover:
(1)
Location at the time of enemy observation referenced to an identifiable terrain feature, by map coordinates, by the back azimuth from each of two identified points, or the back azimuth and distance from one known point. (
Just an idea of roughly what mile marker on the road, intersections of county roads, etc...)
(2) Intentions of the originator and/or observer. Examples include, remain in position? Continue on the mission?
c. An example of an appropriate SALUTE report posted from a scouting position could be:(1) Four enemy fighters (Size)
(2) Conducting vehicle-mounted patrol along Route Blue (Activity)
(3) Grid Coordinates 783209 moving east (note next mile marker or county road intersection, place of business etc.)
(4) Part of local Taliban militia (Unit affiliation, if regular forces note unit patches letter or number designations, government agency markings or license plates)
(5) Observed 20020106 at 1545
(6) Wearing traditional clothing and carrying 4 AK-47’s with possible additional weapons in the back of red Toyota pickup truck (Equipment, etc.)
(7) Observer’s location is grid coordinate 780209 (where you were, etc.)
(8) Will remain in position (whatever you’re doing, etc.)
Continue to—
1-SALUTE
example for citizen journalists
2-Open source
METHODOLOGIES and
conclusion for how we do our best efforts