OPERATIONS ORDER (OPORD)

5 Paragraph OPORD Situation Mission Execution Service Support Command and Signal

Baseline Data Operations Order # / Code Name if Used References (maps, previous orders, FRAGOs, etc) 3) Time Zone Used Throughout Order 4) Task Organization

Task Organization Explains how the unit is organized for the operation Done by phase

Paragraph 1: Situation Situation - Provides information essential to subordinate leader’s understanding of the mission a. Enemy Forces b. Friendly Forces c. Attachments / Detachments

Paragraph 1: Situation Enemy Forces – include pertinent intel / data (1) Weather & Light Data (2) Terrain (AOKOC) (3) Enemy composition, disposition, & strength (4) Enemy Capabilities (5) Enemy Intentions

Enemy Forces: Weather Enemy Forces (1) Weather & Light Data - advantages / disadvantages to friendly & enemy, impact on mission (a) Precipitation (b) Temperature (c) Other Weather Conditions (wind, dust, fog) (d) Light Data BMNT:__________ Sunrise:_________ Sunset:_________ EENT:___________ Moonrise:_______ Moonset:________ Percent Illum:___________

Enemy Forces: Terrain Enemy Forces (2) Terrain – define area of operations & area of interest, advantages / disadvantages to friendly & enemy, impact on mission A - Avenues of approach O - Observation and fields of fire K - Key terrain O - Obstacles C - Cover and concealment

Composition, Disposition, & Strength Enemy Forces: Composition, Disposition, & Strength Enemy Forces (3) Enemy Composition, Disposition, & Strength - important characteristics and significance, advantages / disadvantages to friendly & enemy, impact on mission - type of enemy unit, how it’s equipped, designation, location, size, and strength - current (pertinent) enemy activities - distinguish known and templated enemy locations

Enemy Forces: Capabilities Enemy Forces (4) Enemy Capabilities – combat capability - range and orientation of direct / indirect fires - counter-attack forces - reserves - NBC - mobility / countermobility - ability to reposition

Enemy Forces: Intensions Enemy Forces (5) Enemy Intentions - the most probable and most dangerous course of action - how the enemy will react to attack / defense - critical enemy events

Friendly Forces b. Friendly Forces - higher unit missions (two levels up) - left unit and mission - right unit and mission - forward unit and mission - following / reserve unit and mission - units in support or higher supporting unit h artillery support h air support h mortar support

Attachments / Detachments c. Attachments & Detachments (1) Attachments – who, why, when, where, support requirements (2) Detachments – who, why, when, where, support requirements

Paragraph 2: Mission Mission - Who, what, where, when, why - Concise statement of task(s) & purpose - Derived from mission analysis - Always stated TWICE in full

Paragraph 3: Execution 3. Execution Commanders Intent - Stated vision that defines purpose and end state - Provides clarity to overall operation & informs subordinates which aspects are most important - should be used only to expand on purpose of operation in more detail than para 2 permits

Paragraph 3: Execution 3. Execution a. Concept of Operation - Describes in general terms how the unit (and others assisting in the op) will accomplish the mission from start to finish - IDs phases of operation (if any) Common Phases - Assembly area (AA), prep, passage of lines - Move to Objective Rally Point (ORP) - Actions on objective - Consolidation and reorganization

Paragraph 3: Execution 3. Execution a. Concept of Operation - Identifies most important (mission essential) tasks - Identify main effort - ID decisive point, form of maneuver / defense, & other significant factors

Paragraph 3: Execution 3. Execution b. Tasks to Maneuver Units - Address all subordinate units & attachments by name giving each its mission in the form of task and purpose - Can be tasked to provide any of the following special teams / missions: - recon & security (R&S) - assault - aid & litter (A&L) - support - demo / breach, - EPW - pace & compass (P&C), - security (far & near)

Paragraph 3: Execution 3. Execution b. Tasks to Maneuver Units (cont) - Designate primary & alternate for special teams / missions - All other tasks must relate to main effort - Designate On Order (O/O) and Be Prepared (B/P) missions

Paragraph 3: Execution 3. Execution c. Tasks to Combat Support Units - Same as paragraph 3.b. accept it addresses units such as mortars, artillery, engineers, ADA that are attached or OPCON to you

Paragraph 3: Execution 3. Execution d. Coordinating Instructions - Details coordination and control applicable to two or more subordinate units (1) Order of movement, formation, & movement techniques (2) Routes (primary & alternate) – detail checkpoints, withdrawal routes, & danger areas (3) Departure and re-entry of friendly lines

Paragraph 3: Execution 3. Execution d. Coordinating Instructions (4) Actions at halt (5) Actions at danger areas (linear, small open areas, large open areas) (6) Actions on contact - Direct (sniper, ambush, air) - Indirect (artillery, mortar) - Obstacles (wire, mines) - Electronic (jamming) - Visual

Paragraph 3: Execution 3. Execution d. Coordinating Instructions (7) Rally points and actions at rally points (IRP, ORP, PB, RRP, & other planned RPs) (8) Reorganization & consolidation instructions (9) Fire distribution (area vs direct) & control measures (TRPs, visual /sound signals)

Paragraph 3: Execution 3. Execution d. Coordinating Instructions (10) Engagement / disengagement criteria (11) MOPP level (12) ADA warning (red, yellow, white) & weapons control status (free, tight, hold) (13) Timeline (rehearsals, back brief, inspections, movement) (14) Priority intelligence requirements (PIR)

Paragraph 3: Execution 3. Execution d. Coordinating Instructions (15) Rules of engagement (ROE) (16) Reporting requirements (17) Compass / pace checks (18) Priorities of work (19) Sleep plan (20) Environmental considerations (21) Safety considerations

Paragraph 4: Service Support Service Support - describes the critical logistical information required to sustain the unit during the operation a. General b. Material and Services c. Personnel d. Miscellaneous

Paragraph 4: Service Support a. General - SOPs in effect for sustained ops - Current and proposed trains, resupply and cache points locations and times - Casualty and damaged equipment collection points - Location of decontamination points

Paragraph 4: Service Support b. Material and Services (1) Supply – information on the classes of supply of interest to the platoon - Class I: Subsistence items (food); describes ration cycle and days of supply basic load - Class II: Clothing, individual equ, tools, and tentage; describes resupply

Paragraph 4: Service Support b. Material and Services (1) Supply - Class III: Petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL); details top off times and locations - Class IV: Construction materials; location of barrier materials

Paragraph 4: Service Support b. Material and Services (1) Supply - Class V: Ammunition and explosives; location and basic load - Class VI: Personal demand items (alcohol); usually not included - Class VII: Major end items (tanks, planes, weapons, etc); resupply specifics

Paragraph 4: Service Support b. Material and Services (1) Supply - Class VIII: Medical supplies - Class IX: Repair parts - Class X: Materials to support non-military programs (agriculture and economic development

Paragraph 4: Service Support b. Material and Services (2) Transportation – list constraints / limitations, operating hours, distribution methods and the manner in which supplies are managed, handled, and distributed (3) Services - laundry, showers (4) Maintenance – Non SOP info on maint of weapons and equ

Paragraph 4: Service Support b. Material and Services (5) Medical Evacuation – procedures for evacuation of wounded or dead if different from SOP c. Personnel – ID EPW collection points and handling instruction not covered by SOP

Paragraph 4: Service Support c. Personnel - ID EPW collection points and handling instruction not covered by SOP - Mail - Religious Services - Graves Registration d. Miscellaneous – destruction of supplies

Paragraph 5: Command and Signal a. Command (1) Location of higher unit commander and CP (2) Location of platoon / unit leader and CP (3) Location of 2nd in command and unit CP (4) Succession of command

Paragraph 5: Command and Signal b. Signal (1) SOI index in effect (2) Listening silence (if applicable) (3) Visual or audio signals (4) Methods of commo priority (5) Emergency signals and code words

5 Paragraph OPORD Summary Situation Mission Execution Service Support Command and Signal

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