Standardized reporting procedures save time, promote completeness, and prevent confusion. Ways to transmit and safeguard reports vary and depend on the information being transmitted, the available equipment, the local requirements, the terrain, and the electronic-warfare Threat. Whatever the method of reporting, communications security must be enforced. Any report that contains information about friendly units will be either encoded or transmitted on secure communications means with approved codes. The mortar platoon submits both scheduled and unscheduled reports.
Scheduled reports are normal recurring reports that higher headquarters expects to receive.
Unscheduled reports are sent only when the situation calls for them. Reports, especially scheduled reports, do not have to be sent verbally. Sometimes a written report is more useful. This book automatically makes a copy for the sender to retain. The mortar platoon leader sends a firing location report to the TOC at least once every 24 hours or each time the platoon moves.