CFA SITREP & Intelligence Reporting 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When transmitting a SITREP via radio in a contested environment, which practice best protects operational security?
- Use full names and unit designations for clarity
- Encrypt or encode sensitive details and use brevity codes (Correct answer)
- Repeat all key information twice to ensure receipt
- Delay transmission until a secure landline is available
Correct answer: Encrypt or encode sensitive details and use brevity codes
Encrypting sensitive details and using brevity codes protects operational security while still conveying critical information.
Question 2: A field agent's SITREP states 'SALUTE: Size — 6 PAX, Activity — stationary observation, Location — grid 4 4 7 2 6 8.' What element is missing from a complete SALUTE report?
- Status of the agent
- Unit, Time, and Equipment (Correct answer)
- Threat assessment level
- Friendly force disposition
Correct answer: Unit, Time, and Equipment
SALUTE stands for Size, Activity, Location, Unit, Time, and Equipment — Unit, Time, and Equipment are missing from the example.
Question 3: Which intelligence report format is specifically designed to describe the current tactical situation and is submitted at regular intervals?
- INTREP
- SITREP (Correct answer)
- SPOTREP
- OSINT summary
Correct answer: SITREP
A SITREP (Situation Report) is submitted at regular intervals to describe the current tactical or operational situation.
Question 4: An agent observes a suspicious individual and immediately sends a report. This type of unscheduled, event-driven report is best described as a:
- SITREP
- SPOTREP (Correct answer)
- INTREP
- LOGREP
Correct answer: SPOTREP
A SPOTREP (Spot Report) is an unscheduled, event-driven report submitted immediately upon observing significant activity.
Question 5: When assessing the reliability of a human intelligence (HUMINT) source, which rating system is most commonly used in U.S. intelligence reporting?
- RED-AMBER-GREEN scale
- Admiralty Source and Information Grading (A-F / 1-6) (Correct answer)
- Numeric probability scale (0-100%)
- Classified confidence matrix (CCM)
Correct answer: Admiralty Source and Information Grading (A-F / 1-6)
The Admiralty system uses letter grades (A-F) for source reliability and numeric grades (1-6) for information credibility.
Question 6: A field agent must report a change in enemy force disposition that deviates significantly from the established pattern. The MOST appropriate action is to:
- Wait until the scheduled SITREP cycle to include the update
- Submit an immediate SPOTREP followed by a detailed INTREP if warranted (Correct answer)
- Note it in the personal log only and monitor for confirmation
- Request guidance from headquarters before any reporting
Correct answer: Submit an immediate SPOTREP followed by a detailed INTREP if warranted
Significant deviations warrant an immediate SPOTREP to alert command, with a follow-on INTREP providing analytical context.
Question 7: In intelligence reporting, the term 'NOFORN' appearing on a document means:
- No foreign language translations are authorized
- The document may not be released to foreign nationals (Correct answer)
- The document was collected from a foreign source
- Normal foreign distribution channels apply
Correct answer: The document may not be released to foreign nationals
NOFORN (No Foreign Nationals) is a dissemination control marking restricting distribution to U.S. personnel only.
CFA SITREP & Intelligence Reporting 2
When transmitting a SITREP via radio in a contested environment, which practice best protects operational security?