Transcript Document

Tactical Operations Orders
References: FM 7-8
What is the OPORD format used for?
From FM 7-8: “ The leader briefs his OPORD
orally from notes that follow the five paragraph
format…”
• The OPORD format is a guide to help you the
leader remember what all you should be thinking
about and planning for. Not all sections of the
format will apply to all operations
OPERATIONS ORDER FORMAT
Task Organization:
Explain how the unit is organized for the operation.
1. SITUATION
a. Enemy forces:
(1) Disposition, Composition, and Strength
(2) Capabilities: What the enemy is
able to do and how well can they do it
(3) Most probable course of action
(4) Weather and Terrain
(4) Weather and Terrain
a. Light and Weather- Weather forecast, temperature
high and low, humidity, visibility, % illumination,
precipitation, BMNT, EENT and moonrise/moonset.
b. Terrain-OCOKA
O- Obstacles
C- Cover and Concealment
O- Observation and Fields of Fire
K- Key Terrain
A- Avenues of Approach
1. SITUATION
b. Friendly forces:
(1) Mission of next higher unit
(2) Unit on the left mission
(3) Unit on the right mission
(4) Unit forward mission
(5) Mission of the reserve
(6) Units in support
c. Attachments/detachments
Any units attached or detached with effective times
2. MISSION Who,What, When, Where, Why
(Read Twice)
* Make sure you state your mission and not that of
the higher headquarters that just briefed you:
You will be either a squad or platoon!
3. EXECUTION
Commander’s Intent: the stated vision that defines
the purpose of the operation and relationship among the
force, the enemy, and terrain
Why is it important?
With a full understanding of the mission and commander’s intent
you should have enough guidance to improvise and adapt in order
to complete the mission after the plan meets first contact with the
enemy.
3. EXECUTION
a. Concept of the operation:
Phases designation, description,
start and end times/events.
Refer to operational overlay,
concept sketch, terrain model
Common Phases
- Assembly area (AA), prep, passage of lines
- Move to Objective Rally Point (ORP)
- Actions on objective
- Consolidation and reorganization
3. EXECUTION
a. Concept of the operation:
(1) Maneuver: address all squads/teams by name giving
them each an essential task.
Designate main effort.
Give mission statements for each subordinate element.
* Again, refer to your picture or terrain model!
* Look each team leader in the eye to make
sure they heard you!
Summary of Execution Paragraph:
- Tell it like a story from start to finish! The order
should flow in a logical sequence
-Use your terrain model while you brief! Try to
have your teams sit around it in the general location of
their position on the battlefield
-You can address almost every other section of the
OPORD while explaining your concept of maneuver
using the overlay or terrain model:
-if there is a key signal or code word to initiate the
attack don’t wait until paragraph 5 to explain it!
3. EXECUTION
a. Concept of the operation:
(2) Fires: Refer to fire support overlay and target list
Describe concept of fire support in relation to Maneuver
- Priority of fires and who controls it
b. Tasks to Maneuver units:
Specify tasks, other than those listed
earlier in maneuver paragraph like
Aid/Litter, EPW, Demo, Compass, Pace
3. EXECUTION
c. Tasks to Combat Support units: Usually not applicable
for squad or platoon operations
d. Coordinating Instructions: Things that apply to two
or more units and are not SOP
- PIR
- Time lines
- MOPP level
- Order of march
- Rules of engagement
-Smoke Colors
4. SERVICE SUPPORT
a. General – company trains
b. Material and Services:
1. Supply
2. Transportation
3. Services
4. Maintenance
5. Medical evacuation
c. Personnel: EPW collection
5. COMMAND AND SIGNAL
a. Command
- location of the leader and command post
- location of platoon sergeant or alternate CP
- succession of command
- location of higher unit commander
b. Signal
- methods of communication; priority
- emergency signals; visual signals
- code words in effect during operation
- challenge and password
Remember: These details of your plan should be covered
during the concept of the operation as well!
TIPS of the TRADE:
- Remember to use your graphics, map, terrain model
- Use the specific names of your people as well as their
team designation
- Tell squad to hold questions until you are finished
- Don’t waste all of your preparation time for OPORD
brief: save time for Rehearsals!
- Good Rehearsals will discover unseen holes in your
plan and help you develop good solutions
- Be dynamic, vocal, and enthusiastic!
FRAGOs
Fragmentary Orders: - Used to brief changes to existing order
- Follows OPORD format
- Addresses only those elements that have
changed
“ … situation, no change. Mission, no change.
Execution; A team will now be the main effort, B team is
in support…”
FRAGOs
• Expect many FRAGOS in both tactical and garrison
operations
• Don’t get frustrated at each FRAGO
• Learn to anticipate changes
• Remember the overall mission and Intent
• Don’t let subordinates get bent out of shape because
of multiple changes
• Usually somebody else’s good idea with good
intentions but doesn’t always make sense at ground
level