Combat Plans/orders: " Things Do Not Happen. They Are Made To Happen."

Combat plans/orders
“ Things do not happen. They are made to happen.”

SCOPE
DEFINITION
CLASSES OF ORDERS
CHARACTERISTICS OF PLANS
AND ORDERS
OPORD/OPLAN FORMAT
Combat Plans and Orders
• Are the means by which the

commander announces his
decision, policies and intentions
pertaining to the operation in the
field
plans
“The difference between a dream and a goal is a plan.”

Plans
• Provide for coordinated action
required to carry out the decision
of the commander for the conduct
of a future or anticipated tactical
operation.
Primary differences between Plans
and Orders
• Orders are based upon facts while Plans are
from assumptions
• The time for executing an order is known and
specified while in plans the time at which a
specified occurrence or contingency will be
placed into effect cannot be determined in
advance
PROCESS
• PLANNING IS THE CONTINUOUS PROCESS IN

PREPARATION FOR FUTURE ASSIGNED OR
ASSUMED TASKS
• DETAILED AND SYSTEMATIC EXAMINATION OF
ALL ASPECTS OF CONTEMPLATED OPERATIONS
• INTEGRATED PARTS OF THE MILITARY
DECISION-MAKING
• ADEQUATE, PRACTICAL PLANNING IS
ESSENTIAL TO THE SUCCESS OF ANY MILITARY
UNDERTAKING
• PERMITS THE DETAILED AND SYSTEMATIC
EXAMINATION OF ALL FACTORS INVOLVED IN
AN OPERATION
CHARACTERISTICS
METHOD OR A SCHEME FOR MILITARY
ACTION
PROPOSAL TO CARRY OUT A COMMAND
DECISION OR PROJECT
REPRESENTS THE COMMAND’S
PREPARATION IN THE SPECIFIC AREA
TO MEET A PARTICULAR EVENT
WRITTEN OR ORAL
“ Combat and the endless preparations for it are
loaded with unanticipated troubles.”
ALTHOUGH PLANS ARE BASED ON SPECIFIC

CONDITIONS OR ASSUMPTIONS, THEY ARE NOT
STATIC. PLANS ARE CHANGED, REFINED, AND
UPDATED AS A RESULT OF CONTINUING ESTIMATES
AND STUDIES
THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF A PLAN ARE A

DEFINITE COURSE OF ACTION AND A METHOD
OF EXECUTION
A Good Plan …
• PROVIDES FOR ACCOMPLISHING THE MISSION, WHICH
IS THE OBJECTIVE OF ALL PLANNING.
• BASED ON FACTS AND VALID ASSUMPTIONS. ALL

PERTINENT DATA HAS BEEN CONSIDERED FOR ITS
ACCURACY AND ASSUMPTIONS HAVE BEEN REDUCED TO
A MINIMUM.
• PROVIDES FOR THE USE OF EXISTING RESOURCES.

THESE INCLUDE RESOURCES ORGANIC TO THE
ORGANIZATION AND THOSE AVAILABLE FROM HIGHER
HEADQUARTERS.
• PROVIDES FOR THE NECESSARY ORGANIZATION. IT

CLEARLY ESTABLISHES RELATIONSHIP AND FIXES
RESPONSIBILITIES.
• PROVIDES FOR PERSONNEL, MATERIEL AND OTHER
ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FULL PERIOD OF THE
CONTEMPLATED OPERATION.
• PROVIDES FOR DECENTRALIZATION. IT DELEGATES

AUTHORITY TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT CONSISTENT
WITH THE NECESSARY CONTROL.
• PROVIDES FOR DIRECT CONTACT PERMITTING

COORDINATION DURING EXECUTION BETWEEN ALL
LEVELS.
• IS SIMPLE. IT REDUCES ALL ELEMENTS TO THEIR

SIMPLEST FORM AND ELIMINATES THOSE ELEMENTS
NOT ESSENTIAL TO SUCCESSFUL ACTION. A GOOD PLAN
ALSO ELIMINATES ALL POSSIBILITIES FOR
MISUNDERSTANDING.
• IS FLEXIBLE. IT LEAVES ROOM FOR ADJUSTMENTS
BECAUSE OF OPERATING CONDITIONS AND, WHERE
NECESSARY, STIMULATES ALTERNATE COA.
• PROVIDES FOR CONTROL. ADEQUATE MEANS EXIST, OR

HAVE BEEN PROVIDED FOR, TO CARRY OUT THE PLAN
ACCORDING TO THE COMMANDER’S INTENT.
• IS COORDINATED. ALL ELEMENTS FIT TOGETHER,

CONTROL MEASURES ARE COMPLETE AND
UNDERSTANDABLE, AND MUTUAL SUPPORT
REQUIREMENTS ARE IDENTIFIED AND PROVIDED FOR.
Application of Plans
 STRATEGIC PLAN
 PROVIDES FOR THE OVERALL CONDUCT OF WAR
 CAMPAIGN PLAN
 PROVIDES FOR A SERIES OF RELATED MILITARY
OPERATIONS TO ACCOMPLISH A COMMON OBJECTIVE,
NORMALLY WITHIN A GIVEN TIME AND SPACE. JOINT
COMMANDS OFTEN MAKE USE OF THE CAMPAIGN PLAN
 OPERATION PLAN (OPLAN)
 FOR MILITARY OPERATION. IT COVERS A SINGLE
OPERATION OR SERIES OF CONNECTED OPERATIONS TO BE
CARRIED OUT SIMULTANEOUSLY OR IN SUCCESSION.
 DERIVES FROM THE CAMPAIGN PLAN
 OPORD - WHEN PLACED IN EFFECT
 FORMAT IS READILY ADAPTABLE TO VARIOUS TYPES OF
ANNEXES TO COMBAT PLANS OR ORDERS
 ADMINISTRATIVE/LOGISTICS PLAN
 APPLIES COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT (CSS)

OPERATIONS
 BASED ON THE COMMAND’S REQUIREMENTS,
AS DETERMINED BY APPROPRIATE ESTIMATES
 ADMINISTRATIVE/LOGISTICS ORDER WHEN
PUT IN EFFECT
 MOBILIZATION PLAN
 PRESCRIBES THOSE ACTIONS THAT ARE
REQUIRED TO MOBILIZE, ORGANIZE AND/OR
EXPAND A FORCE TO MEET WARTIME OR
EMERGENCY REQUIREMENTS AS DIRECTED BY
THE DND.
 SUPPORTING PLAN
 COMPLEMENTS ANOTHER PLAN
 ALTERNATE PLAN
 PROVIDES FOR THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF A MISSION
IN A DIFFERENT MANNER
 CONTINGENCY PLAN
 PROVIDES FOR THE MAJOR CONTINGENCIES THAT
CAN REASONABLY BE ANTICIPATED IN THE PRINCIPAL
GEOGRAPHICAL SUB-AREAS OF THE COMMAND
orders
“ Good leaders provide quick, relatively bloodless victories.”

TWO (2) GENERAL CLASSES OF ORDERS
COMBAT
ROUTINE
Combat Orders
• It pertains to strategic or tactical
operations and combat service
support(CSS) of tactical operations.
• May be issued initially as a plan to become
an order at some future time.
“ Issuing orders for the obvious solution is a futile

exercise if those orders cannot be competently carried
out.”
Operation Orders (OPORD)
• Provide for the coordinated action to

carry out the decision of the
commander in the conduct of an
operation. The term “Operation
Order” in general includes both
Operation Orders for the conduct of
tactical operation and movement
orders
Warning Orders (WARNORD)
• Give preliminary notice of an action or

an order that is to follow.
• Usually brief oral or written
messages
Fragmentary Orders (FRAG-O)
• Contain information of immediate

concern to subordinate units.
• These are usually issued as brief oral
or written messages and include only
those items that represent changes to
orders previously issued.
Administrative/Logistics Orders
• Provide for coordinated combat service

support for the command and for
administrative movement .
Standing Operating Procedures (SOP)
• Prescribe routine methods to be

followed in operations
Routine Orders
• Covers normal administrative
operations in garrisons and field
service.
• To include -
• General
• Special
• Letter order
• Bulletins
• Circulars
• Memorandums
• Court - martial
Types of Orders
COMMAND
ORDER
DIRECTIVE
LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS (LOI)
ALL ORDERS ARE WRITTEN OR ORAL COMMUNICATIONS

 COMMAND OR ORDER
 IMPLIES LESS CHOICE AS TO THE DETAILS OF EXECUTION
THAN DO THE OTHER FORMS OF ORDERS
 DIRECTIVE
 USED MOST OFTEN TO DESCRIBE A COMMUNICATION IN
WHICH POLICY IS ESTABLISHED OR A SPECIFIC ACTION
IS ORDERED
 LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS
 DESCRIBES A FORM OF ORDER GIVING INFO AS TO BROAD
AIMS, POLICIES, AND STRATEGIC PLANS FOR
OPERATIONS IN LARGE AREAS OVER CONSIDERABLE
PERIOD OF TIME
 INTENDED FOR THE GUIDANCE AND CONTROL OF
OPERATIONS OF THE LARGE COMMAND
CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD COMBAT ORDERS
CLARITY
COMPLETENESS
BREVITY
RECOGNITION OF SUBORDINATE CMDR PREROGATIVES
USE AFFIRMATIVE FORM
AVOIDANCE OF QUALIFYING DIRECTIVES
AUTHORITATIVE EXPRESSION
TIMELINESS
RECOGNITION OF SUBORDINATES CMDR PREROGATIVES
SHOULD NOT INFRINGE ON THE INITIATIVE OF

SUBORDINATE CMDRS BY PRESCRIBING DETAILS ON
EXECUTION
Only under UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES, SUCH AS AN OPERATION REQUIRING

EXTREMELY CLOSE COOPERATION AND TIMING, SHOULD
A SUBORDINATE CMDR BE TOLD PRECISELY HOW TO
PERFORM AN ASSIGNED TASK
COMPLETENESS
ORDERS CONTAINS ALL THE INFORMATION AND

INSTRUCTIONS NECESSARY TO COORDINATE
AND TO EXECUTE THE MISSIONS
BREVITY
UNNECESSARY DETAIL IS AVOIDED

CLARITY AND COMPLETENESS ARE NOT SACRIFICED
IN THE INTEREST OF BREVITY
CLARITY
EACH COMMAND AND AGENCY THAT USES A

COMBAT ORDER MUST UNDERSTAND IT
THOROUGHLY
AVOID USE OF HIGHLY-TECHNICAL LANGUAGE
USE DOCTRINALLY-ESTABLISHED MILITARY

TERMINOLOGY AND PHRASEOLOGY
AUTHORITATIVE EXPRESSION
ORDERS REFLECTS THE CMDR INTENTION

AND WILL
AVOIDANCE OF QUALIFIED DIRECTIVES
ATTACK VIGOROUSLY
“TRY TO HOLD”, “ AS FAR AS POSSIBLE”
MAIN ATTACK
USE OF AFFIRMATIVE FORM
AFFIRMATIVE FORM OF EXPRESSION IS USED

THROUGHOUT ALL COMBAT ORDERS
“THE TRAINS WILL NOT ACCOMPANY THE BRIGADE (BN)”
“TRAINS WILL REMAIN IN THE ASSEMBLY AREA”
TIMELINESS
TIMELY DISTRIBUTION OF ORDERS ALLOWS

SUBORDINATE CMDS SUFFICIENT TIME
FOR PLANNING AND PREPARATION
CONCURRENT PLANNING SAVES TIME

OPLAN/OPORD FORMAT
HEADING
CLASSIFICATION
Copy Nr_____of_____Copies
Issuing Headquarters
Location of CP
Date/Time/Group
Message Reference Nr
Title/Code Name BODY

References
Time Zone Used Throughout The Plan
Task Organization
1. SITUATION
a. Enemy Forces
b. Friendly Forces
c. Attachment/Detachment
d. Assumptions (OPLAN Only)
2. MISSION (What, When, Where, Who, Why)

3. Execution:
a. Concept of Operation (Intent)

1. Maneuver
2. Fires
3. Engineer
b. Task to Maneuver Units
c. Task to Combat Support Units
d. Coordinating Instructions
4. Service Support
a. General
1. BSA location/Field Train Location
2. Bde Train Location/Cbt Train Location
3. Bde MSR/Bn Supply Route
b. Materiel and Service

1. Supply
2. Trans
3. Maintenance
c. Medical Evacuation and Hospitalization
1. Aid Station Location
2. Evacuation Area
3. Casualty Collection Area
d. Personnel
1. Relief
2. Replacement
e. Miscellaneous (POW Procedures)
5. Command and Signal

a. Command
1. Initial Loc of CP and Axis of Displacement
2. Succession of Command
b. Signal
1. CEOI Index (Main and Alternate)
2. Any Signal Restriction5. Command and Signal
a. Command
1. Initial Loc of CP and Axis of Displacement
2. Succession of Command
b. Signal
1. CEOI Index (Main and Alternate)
2. Any Signal Restriction
ENDING
Acknowledgement:
Commander’s Signature
Authentication
Annexes
Distribution
WARNING ORDER
1. Situation:
Brief description;
The enemy is defending and our battalion is
attacking to the north. Attachments and
detachments to the platoon or squad.
WARNING ORDER
2. Mission:
Use the restated mission from the mission
analysis
3. General Instructions:
a. Special teams or task organization
within the platoon or squad
WARNING ORDER
b. Uniform and equipment common to

all
- Changes to SOP (drop rucks, drop or
pick up helmets)
c. Special weapons, ammunition, or
equipment (different from SOP)
Ex: mines, satchel charges, grappling

hooks, drop or pick up NVGs
WARNING ORDER
d. Tentative time schedule. This is

formed on the basis of mission analysis.
It includes at least:
(1) Earliest time of move.
(2) Time and place of OPORD.
(3) Probable execution time.
(4)Inspection time and items to be
inspected (SOP)
(5) Rehearsal time and actions to be
rehearsed
WARNING ORDER
(5) Rehearsal time and actions to be

rehearsed
Ex: Action at the Objective, special
teams for bridges, searchers, PWs, or
other actions as time allows.
e. Additional general instruction as

needed or by SOP.
WARNING ORDER
4. Special Instructions.
a. To subordinate Leaders:
(1) Platoon Sergeant
(2) Squad Leader
(3) RATELO
(4) Medic
(5) Forward Observer
(6) Attachments
b. To person helping in preparation of OPORD
c. As needed or by SOP
“ Wars are easy to start, expensive to
continue and difficult to stop.”

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Combat plans/orders

“ Things do not happen. They are made to happen.”

• Are the means by which the

“The difference between a dream and a goal is a plan.”

• PLANNING IS THE CONTINUOUS PROCESS IN

ALTHOUGH PLANS ARE BASED ON SPECIFIC

THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF A PLAN ARE A

• BASED ON FACTS AND VALID ASSUMPTIONS. ALL

• PROVIDES FOR THE USE OF EXISTING RESOURCES.

• PROVIDES FOR THE NECESSARY ORGANIZATION. IT

• PROVIDES FOR DECENTRALIZATION. IT DELEGATES

• PROVIDES FOR DIRECT CONTACT PERMITTING

• IS SIMPLE. IT REDUCES ALL ELEMENTS TO THEIR

• PROVIDES FOR CONTROL. ADEQUATE MEANS EXIST, OR

• IS COORDINATED. ALL ELEMENTS FIT TOGETHER,

 APPLIES COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT (CSS)

“ Good leaders provide quick, relatively bloodless victories.”

“ Issuing orders for the obvious solution is a futile

• Provide for the coordinated action to

• Give preliminary notice of an action or

• Contain information of immediate

• Provide for coordinated combat service

• Prescribe routine methods to be

LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS (LOI)

ALL ORDERS ARE WRITTEN OR ORAL COMMUNICATIONS

RECOGNITION OF SUBORDINATE CMDR PREROGATIVES

USE AFFIRMATIVE FORM

AVOIDANCE OF QUALIFYING DIRECTIVES

SHOULD NOT INFRINGE ON THE INITIATIVE OF

Only under UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES, SUCH AS AN OPERATION REQUIRING

ORDERS CONTAINS ALL THE INFORMATION AND

UNNECESSARY DETAIL IS AVOIDED

EACH COMMAND AND AGENCY THAT USES A

AVOID USE OF HIGHLY-TECHNICAL LANGUAGE

USE DOCTRINALLY-ESTABLISHED MILITARY

ORDERS REFLECTS THE CMDR INTENTION

“TRY TO HOLD”, “ AS FAR AS POSSIBLE”

AFFIRMATIVE FORM OF EXPRESSION IS USED

“THE TRAINS WILL NOT ACCOMPANY THE BRIGADE (BN)”

“TRAINS WILL REMAIN IN THE ASSEMBLY AREA”

TIMELY DISTRIBUTION OF ORDERS ALLOWS

CONCURRENT PLANNING SAVES TIME

Title/Code Name BODY

2. MISSION (What, When, Where, Who, Why)

a. Concept of Operation (Intent)

b. Materiel and Service

5. Command and Signal

b. Uniform and equipment common to

Ex: mines, satchel charges, grappling

d. Tentative time schedule. This is

(5) Rehearsal time and actions to be

e. Additional general instruction as

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