What is SALUTE?
SALUTE is an acronym for a standardised NATO report format used to report enemy contact or notable observations. The format ensures consistent, complete, and rapid information transfer in the chaotic conditions of operations.
The six components
- S — Size: How many hostile elements were observed? E.g. "2 persons", "1 vehicle", "squad (~8-10 men)"
- A — Activity: What are they doing? E.g. "moving north", "digging in position", "loading vehicle"
- L — Location: Where are they? Always in MGRS coordinates, e.g. "31U ET 45678 12345"
- U — Uniform/Unit: What are they wearing/using? Clothing colour, weapon type, vehicle type, insignia
- T — Time: When was the observation made? In 24-hour format + time zone, e.g. "141530Z"
- E — Equipment: What heavy equipment is present? E.g. "1× RPG, 2× AKM, radio"
SALUTE in MilMap
Open the SALUTE report module via the map menu. Select a location on the map or enter an MGRS coordinate — this fills the L field automatically. Fill in the remaining fields and add free notes. The report is saved, linked to the map point, and added to the report timeline.
Timeline and export
All reports for an operation are visible chronologically in the report timeline. You can filter by time, type, and location. The complete timeline can be exported as a PDF for the operational debrief.
Tips for good SALUTE reports
Be precise with locations — always use 8- or 10-digit MGRS coordinates. Use standardised time notation. Add free notes for context that does not fit in the format. And: send the report as soon as possible after the observation, while the information is still fresh.