OPORD Operation Order

Instructor Notes Lesson Script

1. Introduction:

a. Tie-In: Every leader in the army must be familiar with and able to write a five paragraph operation order. As future MI company commanders you will brief your units using the five paragraph format.

b. Objectives: Students will understand the five paragraph format. In a later block of instruction they will be required to brief an MI company oporder.

c. Safety: No safety considerations.

d. Purpose: Not only will you be required to give five paragraph oporders in the future, but you will have to train your subordinate leaders to do the same. Every leader from team leader up uses the five paragraph format when briefing an oporder.

e. Procedure: This class is a half hour lecture.

Slide 1 Plans and 2. Development:

Guidelines: a. Clarity is essential. The soldiers you brief will in all likelihood be tired, hungry, and thinking about a dozen unrelated things. An order that can be misunderstood will be misunderstood. Brevity and simplicity are also absolutely necessary if doubt is to be removed from the order. Use affirmative statements-tell them what they must do, not what they shouldn't do. This also reduces ambiguity.

Slide 2 Basic b. If possible, avoid the use of qualified directives:

Guidelines (cont.) "you do this IF the following happens...". This is a real burden on a soldier who hasn't slept during the last 36 hours and almost ensures that his understanding of the plan will be faulty. Be authoritative, direct, and simple. Use the 1/3 2/3 rule (some units use 1/5 4/5). When you issue the order your subordinates should have as a minimum two-thirds of the remaining time to prepare.

Instructor Notes Lesson Script

Slide 3 Admin data c. This slide shows the required admin data t the beginning of the order.

Slide 4 Five para d. Five paragraphs of every order: situation, mission,

format executive, service support, command signal. S-M-E-S-C. Easy way to remember: Some Mothers Eat S Constantly.

Slide 5 Para one e. Paragraph one, situation, includes enemy and friendly forces and attachments and detachments. Only list assumptions in an OPLAN. Don't list them in an OPORDER.

Slide 6 Para two f. Paragraph two is the mission statement, which includes all mission-essential tasks and a task and purpose. Ensure the mission statement covers who, what (task), when, where, and why (purpose). On order missions are included; be prepared missions aren't.

Slide 7 Para three g. Paragraph three, execution, is the meat of the order. Some units use a matrix format to cover subordinate unit instructions. Paragraph three always begins with commander's intent and is followed by a concept of the operation, which explains how the operation is to be executed. Tasks to subordinate units follow, and then tasks which apply to one or more unit-coordinating instructions.

Slide 8 Intent h. The commander's intent is not a summary of the concept of the operation. It is his "vision" of the operation. It is his "vision" of the operation and describes why it is to occur and what the desired end state is, "success is...". The commander's intent ensures subordinates understand what needs to happen to ensure mission accomplishment.

Slide 9 Concept of i. The operations overlay accompanies the concept of

the operation operation. The concept describes how the operation is to be executed, often by battlefield operating system.

Slide 10 j. Coordinating instructions are those that apply to two

Coordinating or more subordinate units. They typically include PIR, OEG,

instructions and MOPP posture.

Instructor Notes Lesson Script

Slide 11 Service k. Paragraph four, service support, includes a general

support concept of logistics support and a plan for the supply of all classes of supply. A plan for casualty evacuation is absolutely necessary and is often overlooked.

Slide 12 Cmd and l. Paragraph five is command and signal. Command

Signal discusses locations of CPS and the succession of command. Signal discusses any special signal instructions (often an SOP item) and may refer to a signal annex, if required.

Slide 13 Task org m. Task organization may be listed at the beginning of the order or it may be included in a separate annex. The correct order of forces is shown.

3. CONCLUSION:

a. Review of main points: During this period we have discussed the format, content, purposes and preparation of the standard five paragraph operations order. Leaders at all levels must be familiar with the OPORD and skilled at its' preparation.

b. Questions and Comments. Are they any questions on the OPORD?

c. Tie-in. You will be able to use this information as a commander or staff officer in any tactical unit.