The preceding two articles in this series of posts have dealt with how to prepare a group for a given action, beginning with an overview of the Troop Leading Procedures (TLPs) and then a closer look at the third step thereof: making a tentative plan. Now we take a closer look at step seven of the TLPs with a format for how a leader can communicate that plan to the group as a whole, namely, the Operation Order (OPORD).[1] It has been said about the history and origins of the OPORD that:
“Its foundation lay in 19th century German military experiences and was introduced to the US military by Captain Eben Swift in 1897. The US order format has evolved throughout 20th century warfare with the aim of keeping pace with changes in weapons, tactics, and the tempo of modern combat.”[2]
It doesn’t have to be perfect, nor must it (nor should it) be exactly as it would appear when used for military operations. For instance, certain factors like the enemy situation may not apply. Any leader can use this general format to prepare, organize and ensure that they have considered and communicated to their subordinates all the main points of their plan for whatever objective they intend to achieve.
This format and, for that matter, the entire TLP’s don’t even have to be carried out by an actual designated leader at all. An individual in an egalitarian group could simply use them to help facilitate making valuable suggestions, gently guiding their peers in the group planning process. The OPORD format covers the situation (including weather, terrain, enemy and friendly forces, as well as third-party elements), what it is you’re intending to accomplish (along with who, when, where and why) as well as a detailed description of how it is to be accomplished, how such an endeavor will be supported logistically (such as in terms of sustenance, medical needs, accommodation, travel), and lastly, how guidance, coordination and communication will take place. But with all of that said, let’s finally get to it.
An OPORD is a directive issued in an oral briefing/presentation or written format that a leader gives her or his subordinates to instruct them in the action they are about to undertake, including the how and why, along with providing any other information they may need in order to carry out this action. The OPORD format structures the information, making its contents logically arranged as well as easily accessible and digestible, especially for those familiar with such a format, but it also ensures completeness, that is, that all major considerations have been addressed.
An OPORD consists of five paragraphs: Situation, Mission, Execution, Service Support and Command & Signal. Warning Orders (WARNOs), given to initially notify subordinates of an upcoming mission to allow them to prepare in parallel with the leader’s planning, also follow this five-paragraph structure, as do Fragmentary Orders (FRAGOs), which are used to update complete OPORDs that have already been issued with new information, decisions and changes to the originally issued plan.
Traditionally, each operation is given a unique code name, which allows for it to be referenced discreetly and obliquely to facilitate operational security (OPSEC). For instance, the Invasion of Normandy was code-named “Operation Overlord.” Yet we have found that giving such a name, especially for preplanned events like a camping trip or training exercise, can also foster esprit de corps and enthusiasm among participants.
The five paragraphs of the OPORD, only very slightly modified for our purposes here at Ten-Chi-Jin.de, are as follows:
Situation: This paragraph deals with most of the same topics already addressed while making a tentative plan under the acronym METT-TC. While the mission is covered in the next paragraph and the timeline in the one after that, here we consider the remaining factors from METT-TC, namely, Weather and Terrain, Enemy Forces, Friendly Forces (or troops available) and Civilians (or third-party actors).
Weather and Terrain: The most significant weather (and illumination) data include temperature (high and low), humidity, wind speed and direction, cloud cover, precipitation, times for the rising and setting of the moon and the sun, phase of the moon, EENT and BMNT. Salient terrain considerations are summarized with the acronym OCOKA (Observation, Cover and Concealment, Obstacles, Key Terrain, Avenues of Approach). It is crucial to explain how weather and terrain considerations effect the particular mission at hand. These two topics will be addressed in a separate article.
Enemy Forces (If Applicable): Describe the enemy situation using the assessments made while making a tentative plan along with any updates from reconnaissance. Be sure to cover how many there are (estimated or known), what capabilities they have or could have, their suspected or known location(s), their recent activities and what their most likely and most dangerous courses of action are (MLCOA and MDCOA).
Friendly Forces: For our purposes, this subsection includes the “task organization,” that is an organigram or organizational chart of those involved in carrying out a particular mission or activity.[3]
Civilians: Here it should be addressed whether there are any others besides hostile elements or members of one’s own group who might be sources of aid, who must be warned of any dangers if encountered or whose presence may in any other way effect the accomplishment of the mission. An example would be, if conducting stealth exercises, the risk of startling passersby or even having the police called on one’s group for suspicious activities and what measures to take to avoid this.
Mission: This paragraph consists quite simply of the mission statement, as developed earlier while making a tentative plan (see earlier article), but updated (if necessary). We have previously defined a mission statement as “a single, clear and concise sentence that includes the who, what, when, where and why of the action(s) to be accomplished.” We also provided the example mission statement of: “We (the entire group) will travel undetected to and request assistance at the police station at 18 Baker Street before sunset at 19:15 in order to elude hostile elements and any harm they might intend before dark falls.”
Execution:
In the briefest of terms, while the mission paragraph provides the who, what, when, where and why; the execution paragraph provides the how.
The execution paragraph summarizes how the COA selected during the process of making a tentative plan (see previous article) will be carried out, it enumerates the tasks (with accompanying purposes) to accomplish this COA for both the main effort as well as supporting elements, and it provides instructions that are relevant to multiple (two or more) individuals or elements.
First off, one describes, from start to finish, how the selected COA is to be carried out. If the plan is especially complex, it may be appropriate to provide two levels of detail, starting with a summarized overview or “concept of the operation,” followed by properly delving into the nuts and bolts. In this paragraph, one should also designate the main effort, whose mission is the most important and which all other elements and tasks work to support and facilitate. Describe how the mission of this main effort is to be accomplished as well as how directly supporting endeavors, like those of security, reconnaissance, intelligence and engineer assets, will be integrated into this plan. Medical and logistical support, however, are covered in the fourth paragraph of the OPORD, and communications in the fifth paragraph.
Next, all elements are assigned tasks and purposes to collectively accomplish the mission. Whether serving as the main effort or playing supporting roles, every element is given specific tasks to accomplish, each of which must also be accompanied by a purpose explaining the reason for performing each task, that is how it facilitates overall mission success.
Finally, coordinating instructions are provided when instructions apply to multiple (two or more) elements. The following types of information are included here:
-Timeline (including aspects of preparation, like backbriefs, rehearsals and inspections, as well as the start time for the mission and major events therein)
-Risk reduction measures (like the use of safety equipment and procedures)
-Movement plan: If the mission itself is a movement, then this is discussed above in describing the concept of the operation and how the mission will be executed. Otherwise, it is included here. The movement plan includes:
-Order of movement
-Formation and movement techniques
-Actions at both long and short halts
-Primary and alternate routes
-Rally points as well as actions to be performed there
-Actions at danger areas (small, large and linear), both specific for those that are known in advance, and general, for those that are unanticipated
Service Support:
This paragraph addresses supplies and services, largely dealing with logistics and medical care, which support and facilitate the main operation. Food and water requirements, and if necessary, billeting needs, are discussed here. If any transportation and/or special equipment is required to accomplish the mission, these are also covered in this paragraph. Medical care is another essential consideration, including the location of first aid kits and equipment, designated first responders to provide on-site medical treatment, the nearest hospitals, medical evacuation plans and preventative medicine considerations.
Command & Signal: This paragraph deals with (1) the leadership of the element engaged in the activity at hand as well as (2) the means by which the members of such an element are to communicate (2a) internally with one another as well as (2b) externally with others outside of their element. We thus divide this paragraph, as anticipated in its name, into the two parts of command and signal.
Command: Here, one should specify the location of key leaders at every phase of the operation, including any command posts if established, as well as the succession of command, should a leader become incapacitated or unable to lead.
Signal: This subparagraph addresses how the group will communicate both internally and externally, such as with potential sources of aid or third party “civilians” who may be in harm’s way.
-Internal communications might include voice, hand-and-arm signals, insect mimicry, whistles, duress codes, challenge and password, running passwords, etc.
-External communications could make use of voice, mobile phones, Internet, ground-to-air signals, smoke or fire signals, flares, reflective mirrors, foghorns, etc.
[1] As with the preceding articles in this series of posts, the primary sources used here consist of two versions of the Ranger Handbook, the 2000 (SH 21-76) and the current 2017 (TC 3-21.76) editions, along with FM 7-8 Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad (now FM 3-21.8).
[2] Major Matthew L. Smith, The Five Paragraph Field Order: Can a Better Format Be Found to Transmit Combat Information to Small Tactical Units? (Fort Leavenworth, KS: School of Advanced Military Studies, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, 1988), p. 1. Available at: https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a210966.pdf (Accessed 28 January 2021).
[3] Doctrinally, the task organization is typically included before and separate from the Situation paragraph. In an Army OPORD, the “Friendly Forces” section includes information like the mission, commander’s intent and concept of operations of the headquarters immediately higher than one’s own as well as one step higher than that, or in other words, two levels up. It also addresses the locations as well as tasks and purposes of adjacent units (to the left, right, front and rear), along with how their activities may affect those of one’s own unit. Since the kinds of actions we address here are not usually part of a complex, large-scale operation involving multiple moving pieces, this aspect has been simplified.