What’s the difference between each of these reports, Salute, Lace, Salt, Spot report, Sit rep?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 14:23:30 -0400

Also in a tactical situation or not when would be a good time to use either one of these reports?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2018 4:11 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 16:11:00 -0400

SALUTE- Given when enemy contact is made.
LACE-Give status of your water/ammo, casualties, and equipment. Given after enemy contact is made or as necessary.
SALT- Just an abbreviated SALUTE report. Stick to the SALUTE report.
SPOT- Stick to the SALUTE report.
SITREP- Has more detail and is not enemy-driven.

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Jul 10 at 2018 5:24 PM

SGT Matthew S. — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 17:24:54 -0400

SALUTE - observation of/contact with enemy; Size, Activity, Location, Unit/uniform, Time, Equipment
LACE - not familiar with, unless it is a modified ACE (Ammunition status, Casualties, Equipment status) report given after enemy contact
SALT - shortened SALUTE report
SPOT - not familiar with
SITREP - situation report

SALUTE reports & variations are always in a tactical setting, and a SITREP can be used at any time, tactical or not. SITREP is often used just as a general status check on a unit or element.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jul 11 at 2018 10:03 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 10:03:16 -0400

SPC, if you do not know the difference in most these reports, then your education is lacking, particularly if you are in combat arms. I strongly suggest that if you are dreaming of promotion, you learn what they mean. Also SALUTE, SPOT and SITREP are used extensively in tactical situations.

Response by SFC Tim OReilly made Oct 8 at 2020 5:21 PM

SFC Tim OReilly — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 17:21:56 -0400

Spot report, initial report on spotting probable enemy, use the SALUTE or SALT report format.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Oct 22 at 2020 8:15 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 20:15:21 -0400

The first three all have lines that tell you the difference.
sALUTE is the doctrinal enemy related report taught to every soldier at some point. Size Activity Location uniform/unit Time Equipment of enemy activity being observed. Usually right before or after contact.
A contact report is when you hit contact. “You, this is me, contact small arms west, out” so your hHQ knows your in it. Then they use tactical patience until you get a handle on it.
LAcE is after contact or at some prescribed interval for a mission where you report TACSOP driven G,A,R, B in water, ammo, casualties, key equipment
SPot reports are just items you come across that are tripping a CCIR or relate to your mission that higher may need to know.
Sit rep is your situation, usually during or after an engagement or battle. In a non combat situation it’s HHQ way of asking “how’s it going?”