CHAPTER 6. OBSERVING AND REPORTING

When sent out on a mission, a scout’s duties are to observe and report. The first five chapters covered scout protection measures and movement in enemy territory. This chapter discusses performing the assigned mission and reporting the mission after its completion.

6001. OBSERVATION POSTS

Positions

The following guidelines apply to observation posts. See figure 6-1.

• When selecting observation posts, scouts should chose the least prominent position.

• Scouts may occupy one or more observation posts.

• An observation post should not be manned for more than 24 hours.

• A selected observation post should be observed for 10 to 15 minutes to ensure it is not occupied.

• Scouts move to the chosen observation post by a concealed route.

• If the post is located on a hill, crawl to a position where the skyline is broken.

• If a tree is used, the position should have a background so as not to be silhouetted against the sky while climbing or observing.

• When leaving the observation post, a different route from that of the approach should be used.

• If a radio is used, its antenna should be located to provide clear communication to the controlling commander but masked from enemy observation and direction-finding equipment. Upon departure, scouts should remove the antennae from the observation post so as not to give away the position.

Observing

Using all senses available, be particularly alert for movement, objects, sounds, and smells inappropriate to the surroundings. While observing, avoid all unnecessary movement. If observing from a building, keep back from doors and windows.

In daylight, look first at the ground nearest you. Begin observing close to your post and search a narrow strip 50 meters or less deep, going from right to left parallel to your front; then search from left to right a second and similar strip farther away but overlapping the first. Continue to observe until the entire field of view has been searched (see fig. 6-2 on page 6-2).

At night, use a night observation device. If one is not available, search the horizon with short, jerky movements, and short pauses. Look a little to one side of an object and then to the other. Lower the head close to the ground to view the object more clearly. Use low-powered field glasses to increase sight range.

6002. REPORTING

It is imperative that the scout accurately and completely report who, where, when, and what was observed to the proper authority upon mission completion. In most cases, a scout will not be equipped with a radio.

Verbal Reports

Verbal reports should be made when writing is impractical, when the information is not complicated or when the enemy is likely to intercept a messenger carrying a written message.

Written Messages

Written messages, preferred to verbal reports, are recorded in message book blanks issued for that purpose (see fig. 6-3) and delivered to a higher authority as soon as possible. The NATO spot report (SPOTREP) should be reviewed as the written message is a NATO format.

The message body is brief, accurate, and clear; facts and opinions are distinguished. If secondhand information is reported, its source is included. Reports include all information of value, first about the enemy, and then about the originator. Information about the enemy should cover--

• Size and/or strength.

• Actions or activity.

• Location and direction of movement.

• Unit identification. (The designation of the enemy unit may be derived from unit markings, uniforms worn or through prisoner interrogation.)

• Time of observation.

• Equipment and weapons.

Messages are printed in block letters. Individual items of information are numbered and separated into paragraphs. If doubt exists as to message receipt by the commander, a summary of its contents is included in the next message. Information about the originator or writer should cover--

• Location at the time of enemy observation (reference to an important terrain feature, by map coordinates, by the back azimuth from each of two definitely located points, or the back azimuth and distance from one known point).

• Intentions. (Remain in position? Continue on the mission? Take other action?)

The message is carefully reread and if possible read by another person to ensure understandability. If a messenger is used, the messenger must read and understand the message in order to answer any questions the commander might have.

Sketch

Information difficult to describe may be given accurately on a simple sketch. The sketch may give all the necessary information or it may be used to supplement a written message. A military sketch is generally one of two types: simple or panoramic. The simple sketch is easily made and read.

Figure 6-4 shows a simple sketch that has been included in the message itself. The sketch may be on a separate sheet of paper, but all of the necessary information must be contained in either the sketch, the message or both.

The panoramic sketch is a picture of the terrain’s elevation in perspective, as seen from one point of observation. Although a panoramic sketch is not difficult to create, skill and training are necessary to enhance usefulness. Figure 6-5 on page 6-4 illustrates how to make a panoramic sketch.

Overlay

The same information sent back to higher headquarters on the sketch may be sent on an overlay, if the sender and the person to whom the message is to be sent have copies of the same map. Figure 6-6 on page 6-6 illustrates a simple overlay. The overlay is drawn on transparent paper as follows:

• Orient the map and place it on a hard, flat surface.

• Place the transparent paper over the part of the map of the object or information to be transmitted and hold the paper in this position.

• Orient the overlay to the map by tracing in the intersecting grid lines at two opposite corners of the overlay. Write the correct number designation on the overlay. The cross made by the intersection is called a _tick mark_ and enables the receiver to locate the exact area on the map covered by the overlay.

• Sketch the object seen or the information to be transmitted on the tracing paper (the sheet on top of the map) in the exact location it would appear on the map (the sheet underneath the tracing paper). Explanatory notes are annotated in the overlay’s margin, arrows point to the objectives.

• Indicate with an “X” and an appropriate explanation the position from which the observer saw the object or obtained information.

• Include title and scale of the map from which the overlay was made, date and hour the information was obtained, and signature of the observer on the overlay in the lower right-hand corner.