Complete each line of the 9 line UXO report with the information available at the time of discovery. Work through all nine lines in order before transmitting. Every field provides the EOD team with essential data for a safe response, and incomplete forms often require a follow-up call to the submitting unit that delays the EOD deployment. The step-by-step instructions below cover each line in detail:
- Line 1 - Date-Time Group: Use military DTG format: two-digit day, four-digit time (HHMM), time zone indicator, and three-letter month abbreviation followed by the two-digit year. Example: 291435ZMAY26 means the 29th day of May 2026, at 1435 hours Zulu time. Accuracy here is critical for coordinating the EOD response timeline.
- Line 2 - Reporting Unit: Enter your unit name, call sign, or full name. This field allows the EOD team to identify the source of the report and contact you directly if they need clarification or additional location data before dispatching.
- Line 3 - Contact Method: List your primary radio frequency and call sign. In a garrison environment, a direct telephone number is also acceptable. If you have both available, list the radio frequency first as the primary contact method.
- Line 4 - Ordnance Type: Describe what you observe: estimated size and shape, color, surface condition, any stenciling, lot numbers, or visible fuse type. If the ordnance type is unknown, write UNKNOWN and follow with a detailed physical description. Never attempt to touch or turn over the item to read markings.
- Line 5 - NBC Status: Write NONE if no nuclear, biological, or chemical contamination indicators are present. Otherwise describe any unusual odors, liquids, discoloration of soil, dead vegetation, or symptoms among nearby personnel that suggest contamination. When in doubt, report possible contamination and let EOD confirm.
- Line 6 - Resources Threatened: List the number of personnel within the blast radius, the type and count of vehicles, and any structures or critical infrastructure at risk. Be specific about distances if known. EOD uses this information to determine response urgency and the equipment needed on site.
- Line 7 - Mission Impact: State whether the UXO is blocking a supply route, is located within a patrol base or assembly area, or poses a direct risk to ongoing operations or personnel movement. This informs the assigned response priority and helps the EOD unit justify resource allocation.
- Line 8 - Protective Measures: Describe steps already taken: guards posted at the cordon, area marked with engineer tape or stakes, cordon distance established in meters, personnel and vehicles evacuated from the danger zone. Document the cordon radius so EOD arrives with accurate safety geometry.
- Line 9 - Recommended Priority: Choose the level that best describes the current threat: Immediate (life-threatening situation or active mission impact), Indirect (route or key asset impact without immediate danger to life), Minor (low risk, remote location, no current operations affected), or No Threat (item confirmed inert by a qualified observer with credentials to make that determination).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using civilian time formats: Line 1 requires military DTG format, not civilian 12-hour AM/PM notation. A DTG error can cause confusion when coordinating across multiple units and time zones.
- Leaving Line 4 blank when type is unknown: Write UNKNOWN followed by a physical description. A blank field suggests the line was overlooked rather than genuinely unknown, which can delay EOD prioritization.
- Underestimating the cordon distance: Default to a wider cordon than you think is necessary. EOD can tighten it on arrival but cannot expand it easily once personnel have settled into positions.
- Transmitting before the perimeter is secured: Set up the cordon before transmitting the report so you can accurately report what protective measures are in place in Line 8.
- Not recording the acknowledgment: After transmitting, note the time, the EOD unit that acknowledged, and any case number assigned. This protects your unit if follow-up accountability questions arise.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does UXO mean in this type of report?
UXO stands for unexploded ordnance. The term covers any munition that was deployed but failed to detonate as intended, including bombs, grenades, rockets, mortar rounds, artillery shells, and land mines. These items remain dangerous because the firing mechanism is still active. The reporting format was standardized to ensure EOD teams receive consistent, actionable data regardless of which unit discovers the hazard.
Can I practice filling out the form before deployment?
Yes. FormsPal's fillable PDF allows you to complete and print a practice version at no charge. Units preparing for deployment should include UXO reporting exercises in their pre-deployment training using a military training request form to schedule dedicated reporting drills. Familiarity with the format reduces errors and speeds transmission time in the field.
What is the difference between this form and the 9 line MEDEVAC report?
Both follow a nine-line structure, but they serve different purposes. This form covers unexploded ordnance discovered in the field and is transmitted to EOD units. The 9-line MEDEVAC report covers medical evacuation requests and is transmitted to medevac dispatch. When a UXO discovery results in casualties, both reports may be transmitted simultaneously to their respective elements.
Is this reporting format used only by the U.S. Army?
No. The form is used by all branches of the U.S. military and by coalition forces operating under NATO standards. The format is aligned with international explosive ordnance disposal reporting requirements to ensure interoperability across allied units in multinational operations.
What should a civilian do if they find unexploded ordnance?
Civilians who discover suspected unexploded ordnance should not approach, touch, or move the item. Establish distance immediately, contact local law enforcement or emergency services, and keep others away. The 9 line UXO report is a military reporting format and is not used by civilians, but military EOD units respond to civilian calls through coordination with local emergency management authorities.
Download FormsPal's printable 9 line UXO report PDF to practice completing the form before field operations. Military units preparing for deployment should also keep copies of the army leaders book form alongside field reporting documents for unit administrative readiness.