Orders Process

Cpl O’Reilly
5 Paragraph Order
 PURPOSE
• A REVIEW OF THE PLANNING PROCESS
INVOLVED TO ACCOMPLISH THE MISSION.
• STRUCTURED AROUND THE FIVE
PARAGRAPH ORDER, MEETING THE NEEDS
OF THE SMALL UNIT LEADER
 Purpose of Orders
• Range
– “Follow me!” from lowest team leader
– To the complex approach for MAGTF
planning.
• Develop your ability to communicate the
order in a timely effective manner.

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 Characteristics of Effective Orders

• Clarity
– Must be understood by the “slowest & lowest”
man
• Completeness
– Must cover every possible scenario
• Brevity
– Do not omit Clarity and Completeness
 Characteristics (cont)
• Recognition of subordinate leaders
prerogative
– Don’t tell me how to do it
• Use of affirmative form
– Don’t tell me what we’re not going to do
• Avoidance of qualified directives
– Easy on the adjectives
 Characteristics (cont)
• Authoritative expression
– If it can be mistaken, it will be
• TIMELINESS

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 The Planning Process

• Begin the planning

– Estimate the situation (METT-TSL)
• Mission
– Task (from higher commander’s order)
– Who, What, Where, When
– Commander’s Intent (Why)
 Begin the planning (cont)
• Enemy
– Estimate his Composition, Disposition, and
Strength
• What he has, his status, how much he has

– Estimate his capabilities and limitations

• Weaknesses that can be exploited
• “Critical Vulnerability”
 Begin the Planning (cont)
• Enemy
– Most Probable Course Of Action (MPCOA)
• DRAW-D
– Will he defend, reinforce, attack (counterattack) withdraw,
or delay?
• Also consider what he could do that would hurt us
(Most Dangerous Course of Action)
 Begin the Planning (cont)
• Terrain and Weather (KOCOA-W)
– Usually obtained from intelligence section
• Key terrain
• Observation and fields of fire
• Cover and concealment
• Obstacles
• Avenues of approach
• Weather
 Begin the Planning (cont)
• Troops and Support Available
– Troops (how many do I have?)
– Human factors (how are my people doing?)
– Equipment (do we need anything else?)
– Fire Support (do we have anyone supporting?)
 Begin the Planning (cont)
• Time
– Plan for use of available time
• 1/3 – 2/3 rule
• Backwards planning
• Parallel and concurrent planning
• Space
– Area, zone, or sector
– Boundaries
 Begin the Planning (cont)
• Logistics
– Do I have everything I need?
– How am I getting more?
 Begin the Planning
• Complete the estimation of the situation.

• DRAW-D

• SALUTE

• HAS-A

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 Begin the Planning (cont)

• Issue the warning order - Stated so

subordinates can anticipate what orders to
follow.
 Arrange for:
• Reconnaissance
– Select method
– Select route
• Movement
• Issue of order
• Coordination
– Supporting Units
– Adjacent Units
 Make Reconnaissance
• Update METT-TSL

• Develop MPCOA

• Confirm enemy vulnerabilities

 Complete the Plan
• Concept of Operations
– Emphasis on:
• Mission
• Enemy MPCOA
• Scheme of maneuver
– Exploit enemy weaknesses
– Places enemy in a dilema
 Issue the Order
• Orientation
(OSMEAC)
– Direction of North
– Present location (grid)
– Unit Objectives
– Key terrain features and effects
 Five Paragraph Order
• Orientation
– Boundaries
– Weather forecasts and effects
– Time zone
– Task organization
 Five Paragraph Order (cont)
• Situation
– Enemy
• Composition, Disposition, Strength
• Capabilities and Limitations
• Courses of Action
– Most Probable
– Most Dangerous
 Five Paragraph Order (cont)
• Situation
– Friendly
• Higher
• Adjacent
– Right, left, front, rear
• Supporting
• Attachments and detachments
 Five Paragraph Order (cont)
• Mission - Five Ws
– Task
• When (time)
• Who (unit)
• What (task)
• Where (location)
– Purpose
• Why (commander’s intent)
 Five Paragraph Order (cont)
• Execution
– Commanders Intent
– Concept of Operations
• Scheme of maneuver
• Fire Support Plan
– Tasks
– Reserve (if applicable)
– Coordinating Instructions
 Five Paragraph Order (cont)
• Administration and Logistics
– Admin
• Band-aids (MedEvac)
• Bad guys (EPW/Detainee)
– Logistics
• Beans (Chow)
• Bullets (Ammunition)
• Batteries (Comm/NVG)
• Bad Guys
 Five Paragraph Order (cont)
• Command and Signal
– Signal
• Comm plan / No Comm plan
• Visual Signals
• Challenge and Pass
• Brevity codes (Remember to keep it simple)
 Five Paragraph Order (cont)
• Command and Signal
– Command
• Location of higher unit commander
• Your location before, during, after mission
• Chain if Command

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 Supervise
• Back Briefs
• Inspections
• Rehearsals
– Reactions to contact
– Reaction to sniper
– Reaction to IED
 Supervise
• Rehearsals
– Casualty Evacuation
– EPW/Detainee Evacuation
– Link up plans
– Entering / Exiting Friendly lines

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 Receiving an Order
• Be prepared to receive in poor weather
• Bring a map
• Take notes, develop a type of shorthand
• Listen to the entire order
• Arrive early, sketch the terrain model

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 Issuing an Order
• Designate a Marine to build a terrain model
• Mark critical locations on terrain model
• Keep it simple, issue in a timely manner
• Leave no room for misinterpretation
• Ensure all subordinate leaders are present
• Use the written order as a guide, do not read
from it.
 Issuing an Order
• When briefing the Scheme of Maneuver
brief on the terrain model, not your notes.
• Designate a Marine as a pointer if possible
• Ensure the mission is understood by all!
• Use visual aids
• Back brief

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 Summary
• Purpose of Orders
• Characteristics of Effective Orders
• The Planning Process
• Techniques for Receiving Orders
• Techniques for Issuing an Order

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Questions