OpOrder AAR

The Five-Paragraph Operational Order, or OpOrder, is the military standard for conducting any coordinate military Operation. Though it varies from author to author, and may be shortened or lengthened as time permits. Though some leaders insist on having technically perfect Operations Orders, in combat actions or due to lack of time, the OpOrder may be shortened to merely the five main paragraphs without all of the sub-headers.

Operation Name- The Name of the Operation

OPERATIONS ORDER:

1. SITUATION: A. ENEMY: - Details out the enemy forces present. This should include numbers of enemy personnel, supplementary vehicles and equipment. If possible, information about unit affiliation and morale should be included.

B. FRIENDLY: - Obviously, the friendly forces conducting the operation and in the area. Neutral forces should be mentioned here, along with what conditions might imply their allegiance to you or the enemy.

C. MISSION: - Mission is conducted in two parts. One should contain the higher commander's overall intent for the strategy that this operation is a part of. Generally speaking, the commander's intent is to win the battle/war, and all operations should be in support of that. The second part of the Mission statement is the specific goal of this Operation, such as ambushing a convoy or attacking an emplacement. 3. EXECUTION: A. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS: This details out chronologically and simultaneously what each supporting unit is tasked out to accomplish. The signer of the OpOrder only tasks out his immediately subordinate units, unless he specifically requires personnel to support the mission. Battalion commanders task Company Commanders- COs task Platoon leaders- etc. etc. This is where detail and specific statements are useful. The more detail in the third paragraph, the more efficiently an operation can be conducted.

B. TASK ASSIGNMENTS: Units specifically tasked with something are given this job clearly here. Again, commanders only task immediately subordinate units, and allow those commanders to task out specific soldiers to accomplish tasks.

C. COORDINATING INSTRUCTIONS: The last paragraph in the execution section contains coordinating instructions for two or more elements of the task organization. Typically, such instructions might include boundaries, objectives, beaches, lines of departure, time and direction of attack, and other specifics needed to coordinate the activities of different task elements. Other information is also included, such as reporting instructions, anticipated time of execution (D-day and H-hour), and when the order becomes effective for planning and/or execution. 4. ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS: State administrative and logistics arrangements applicable to the operation. Summarize the overall operation from the combat service and combat service support perspectives. List materiel and services for supply, maintenance, transportation, and construction, and allocation of labor for logistics purposes. Provide for medevac. List unit strengths, replacements, and personnel policies and procedures. Describe control of civil population, refugees, and other relevant civil affairs matters. In many cases, reference to administration and logistics policies and procedures in an existing plan as amended by the OPORD will suffice.

5. COMMAND AND SIGNAL: Include signal, recognition, and identification instructions; electronic policy; headquarters locations and movements; code words; code names and liaison.

A. Command, Control, and Communications. Give information about pertinent command, control, and communications nets; operating procedures; recognition and identification procedures; electronic emission constraints; and so on. A separate annex may be required, or reference to an existing plan may be made.

B. Command. Joint operations can have complex command relationships. Joint OPORDs must be specific concerning these arrangements, including shifts that may take place as the operation progresses from one phase to the next. Clearly state all command relationships. Include command posts, alternate command posts. flagships, and alternate flagships along with their times of activation and deactivation.

Commander's Name Rank Unit Affiliation