(Note) Place the classification at the top and bottom of every page of the OPLAN or OPORD. Place the classification marking at the front of each paragraph and subparagraph in parentheses. Refer to AR 380-5 for classification and release marking instructions

(O Heading) Copy ## of ## copies

Issuing headquarters

Place of issue

Date-time group of signature

Message reference number

(Note) The first line of the heading is the copy number assigned by the issuing headquarters. Maintain a log of specific copies issued to addressees. The second line is the official designation of the issuing headquarters (for example, 1st Infantry Division). The third line is the place of issue. It may be a code name, postal designation, or geographic location. The fourth line is the date or date-time group that the plan or order was signed or issued and becomes effective unless specified otherwise in the coordinating instructions. The fifth line is a headquarters internal control number assigned to all plans and orders in accordance with unit standard operating procedures (SOPs).

(O Number) OPERATION PLAN/ORDER [number] [(code name)] [(classification of title)]

Example: OPORD 3411 (OPERATION DESERT DRAGON) (UNCLASSIFIED)

(Note) Number plans and orders consecutively by calendar year. Include code name, if any.

(References) References: List documents essential to understanding the OPLAN or OPORD. List references concerning a specific function in the appropriate attachments.

List maps and charts first. Map entries include series number, country, sheet names, or numbers, edition, and scale.

List other references in subparagraphs.

Time Zone Used: Throughout the OPLAN/OPORD: State the time zone used in the area of operations during execution. When the OPLAN or OPORD applies to units in different time zones, use Greenwich Mean (ZULU) Time.

Task Organization: Describe the organization of forces available to the issuing headquarters and their command and support relationships. Refer to Annex A (Task Organization) if long or complicated.

(U Mil Para) Situation. The situation paragraph describes the conditions of the operational environment that impact operations in the following subparagraphs:

Area of Interest. Describe the area of interest. Refer to Annex B (Intelligence) as required.

Area of Operations. Describe the area of operations. Refer to the appropriate map by its subparagraph under references, for example, “Map, reference (b).” See Appendix 2 (Operation Overlay) to Annex C (Operations) as required.

Terrain. Describe the aspects of terrain that impact operations. Refer to Annex B (Intelligence) as required.

Weather. Describe the aspects of weather that impact operations. Refer to Annex B (Intelligence) as required.

Enemy Forces. Identify enemy forces and appraise their general capabilities. Describe the enemy’s composition, disposition, location, strength, and probable courses of action. Identify adversaries and known or potential terrorist threats within the area of operations. Refer to Annex B (Intelligence) as required.

Friendly Forces. Briefly identify the missions of friendly forces and the objectives, goals, and missions of civilian organizations that impact the issuing headquarters in the following subparagraphs:

Higher Headquarters Mission and Intent. Identify and state the mission and commander’s intent for headquarters two levels up and one level up from the issuing headquarters.

Higher Headquarters Two Levels Up. Identify the higher headquarters two echelons above (for example, Joint Task Force-18).

Mission.

Commander’s Intent.

Higher Headquarters. Identify the higher headquarters one echelon above (for example, 1st [U.S.] Armored Division).

Mission.

Commander’s Intent.

Missions of Adjacent Units. Identify and state the missions of adjacent units and other units whose actions have a significant impact on the issuing headquarters.

Interagency, Intergovernmental, and Nongovernmental Organizations. Identify and state the objective or goals and primary tasks of those non-Department of Defense organizations that have a significant role within the area of operations. Refer to Annex V (Interagency Coordination) as required.

Civil Considerations. Describe the critical aspects of the civil situation that impact operations. Refer to Appendix 1 (Intelligence Estimate) to Annex B (Intelligence) as required.

Attachments and Detachments. List units attached to or detached from the issuing headquarters. State when each attachment or detachment is effective (for example, on order, on commitment of the reserve) if different from the effective time of the OPLAN or OPORD. Do not repeat information already listed in Annex A (Task Organization).

Assumptions. List assumptions used in the development of the OPLAN or OPORD.

Mission. State the unit’s mission—a short description of the who, what (task), when, where, and why (purpose) that clearly indicates the action to be taken and the reason for doing so.

Execution. Describe how the commander intends to accomplish the mission in terms of the commander’s intent, an overarching concept of operations, schemes of employment for each warfighting function, assessment, specified tasks to subordinate units, and key coordinating instructions in the subparagraphs below.

Commander’s Intent. Commanders develop their intent statement personally. The commander’s intent is a clear, concise statement of what the force must do and conditions the force must establish with respect to the enemy, terrain, and civil considerations that represent the desired end state. It succinctly describes what constitutes the success of an operation and provides the purpose and conditions that define that desired end state. The commander’s intent must be easy to remember and clearly understood two echelons down. The commander’s intent includes: Purpose–an expanded description of the operation’s purpose beyond the “why” of the mission statement. Key tasks–those significant activities the force as a whole must perform to achieve the desired end state. End state–a description of the desired future conditions that represent success.

Concept of Operations. The concept of operations is a statement that directs the manner in which subordinate units cooperate to accomplish the mission and establishes the sequence of actions the force will use to achieve the end state. It is normally expressed in terms of the commander’s desired operational framework as discussed in ADRP 3-0. It states the principal tasks required, the responsible subordinate units, and how the principal tasks complement one another. Normally, the concept of operations projects the status of the force at the end of the operation. If the mission dictates a significant change in tasks during the operation, the commander may phase the operation. The concept of operations may be a single paragraph, divided into two or more subparagraphs, or if unusually lengthy, summarize here with details located in Annex C (Operations). If the concept of operations is phased, describe each phase in a subparagraph. Label these subparagraphs as “Phase” followed by the appropriate Roman numeral, for example, “Phase I.” If the operation is phased, all paragraphs and subparagraphs of the base order and all annexes must mirror the phasing established in the concept of operations. The operation overlay and graphic depictions of lines of effort help portray the concept of operations and are located in Annex C (Operations).

Scheme of Movement and Maneuver. Describe the employment of maneuver units in accordance with the concept of operations. Provide the primary tasks of maneuver units conducting the decisive operation and the purpose of each. Next, state the primary tasks of maneuver units conducting shaping operations, including security operations, and the purpose of each. For offensive tasks, identify the form of maneuver. For defensive tasks, identify the type of defense. For stability tasks, describe the role of maneuver units by primary stability tasks. If the operation is phased, identify the main effort by phase. Identify and include priorities for the reserve. Refer to Annex C (Operations) as required.

Scheme of Mobility/Countermobility. State the scheme of mobility/countermobility including priorities by unit or area. Refer to Annex G (Engineer) as required.

Scheme of Battlefield Obscuration. State the scheme of battlefield obscuration, including priorities by unit or area. Refer to Appendix 9 (Battlefield Obscuration) to Annex C (Operations) as required.

Scheme of Information Collection. Describe how the commander intends to use reconnaissance missions and surveillance tasks to support the concept of operations. Include the primary reconnaissance objectives. Refer to Annex L (Information Collection) as required.

(Note) Note: Army forces do not conduct reconnaissance missions and surveillance within the United States and its territories. For domestic operations, this paragraph is titled “Information Awareness and Assessment” and the contents of this paragraph comply with Executive Order 12333.)

(U Mil Para) Scheme of Intelligence. Describe how the commander envisions intelligence supporting the concept of operations. Include the priority of effort for situation development, targeting, and assessment. State the priority of intelligence support to units and areas. Refer to Annex B (Intelligence) as required.

Scheme of Fires. Describe how the commander intends to use fires to support the concept of operations with emphasis on the scheme of maneuver. State the fire support tasks and the purpose of each task. State the priorities for, allocation of, and restrictions on fires. Refer to Annex D (Fires) as required.

Scheme of Protection. Describe how the commander envisions protection supporting the concept of operations. Include the priorities of protection by unit and area. Include survivability. Address the scheme of operational area security, including security for routes, bases, and critical infrastructure. Identify tactical operating forces and other reaction forces. Use subparagraphs for protection categories (for example, air and missile defense and explosive ordnance disposal) based on the situation. Refer to Annex E (Protection) as required.

Cyber Electromagnetic Activities. Describe how cyber electromagnetic activities (including cyberspace operations, electronic warfare and spectrum management operations), supports the concept of operations. Refer to Appendix 12 (Cyber Electromagnetic Activities) to Annex C (Operations) as required. Refer to Annex H (Signal) for defensive cyberspace operations, network operations and spectrum management operations as required.

Stability Tasks. Describe how stability tasks support the concept of operations. Describe how the commander envisions the conduct of stability tasks in coordination with other organizations. (See ADRP 3-07.) If other organizations or the host nation cannot provide for civil security, restoration of essential services, and civil control, then commanders with an assigned area of operations must do so with available resources, request additional resources, or request relief for these requirements from higher headquarters. Commanders assign specific responsibilities for stability tasks to subordinate units in paragraph 3j (Tasks to Subordinate Units) and paragraph 3k (Coordinating Instructions). Refer to Annex C (Operations) and Annex K (Civil Affairs Operations) as required.

Assessment. Describe the priorities for assessment and identify the measures of effectiveness used to assess end state conditions and objectives. Refer to Annex M (Assessment) as required.

Tasks to Subordinate Units. State the task assigned to each unit that reports directly to the headquarters issuing the order. Each task must include who (the subordinate unit assigned the task), what (the task itself), when, where, and why (purpose). Use a separate subparagraph for each unit. List units in task organization sequence. Place tasks that affect two or more units in paragraph 3k (Coordinating Instructions).

Coordinating Instructions. List only instructions and tasks applicable to two or more units not covered in unit SOPs.

Time or condition when the OPORD becomes effective.

Commander’s Critical Information Requirements. List commander’s critical information requirements (CCIRs).

Essential Elements of Friendly Information. List essential elements of friendly information (EEFIs).

Fire Support Coordination Measures. List critical fire support coordination or control measures.

Airspace Coordinating Measures. List critical airspace coordinating or control measures.

Rules of Engagement. List rules of engagement. Refer to Appendix 11 (Rules of Engagement) to Annex C (Operations) as required.

(Note) Note: For operations within the United States and its territories, title this paragraph “Rules for the Use of Force”).

(U Mil para) Risk Reduction Control Measures. State measures specific to this operation not included in unit SOPs. They may include mission-oriented protective posture, operational exposure guidance, troop-safety criteria, and fratricide avoidance measures. Refer to Annex E (Protection) as required.

Personnel Recovery Coordination Measures. Refer to Appendix 13 (Personnel Recovery) to Annex E (Protection) as required.

Environmental Considerations. Refer to Appendix 5 (Environmental Considerations) to Annex G (Engineer) as required.

Soldier and Leader Engagement. State commander’s guidance for target audiences and reporting requirements.

Other Coordinating Instructions. List in subparagraphs any additional coordinating instructions and tasks that apply to two or more units, such as the operational timeline and any other critical timing or events.

Sustainment. Describe the concept of sustainment, including priorities of sustainment by unit or area. Include instructions for administrative movements, deployments, and transportation—or references to applicable appendixes—if appropriate. Use the following subparagraphs to provide the broad concept of support for logistics, personnel, and health service support. Provide detailed instructions for each sustainment subfunction in the appendixes to Annex F (Sustainment).

Logistics. Refer to Annex F (Sustainment) as required.

Personnel. Refer to Annex F (Sustainment) as required.

Support. Refer to Annex F (Sustainment) as required.

Command and Signal.

Command.

Location of Commander and Key Leaders. State where the commander and key leaders intend to be during the operation, by phase if the operation is phased.

Succession of Command. State the succession of command if not covered in the unit’s SOPs.

Liaison Requirements. State liaison requirements not covered in the unit’s SOPs.

Control.

Command Posts. Describe the employment of command posts (CPs), including the location of each CP and its time of opening and closing, as appropriate. State the primary controlling CP for specific tasks or phases of the operation (for example, “The division tactical command post will control the air assault”).

Reports. List reports not covered in SOPs. Refer to Annex R (Reports) as required.

Signal. Describe the concept of signal support, including location and movement of key signal nodes and critical electromagnetic spectrum considerations throughout the operation. Refer to Annex H (Signal) as required.

(Acknowledge) ACKNOWLEDGE: Provide instructions for how the addressees acknowledge receipt of the OPLAN or OPORD. The word “acknowledge” may suffice. Refer to the message reference number if necessary. Acknowledgement of an OPLAN or OPORD means that it has been received and understood.

(Sig Block) [Commander’s last name]

[Commander’s rank]

(Note) The commander or authorized representative signs the original copy. If the representative signs the original, add the phrase “For the Commander.” The signed copy is the historical copy and remains in the headquarters’ files.

(Official) OFFICIAL:

(Sig Block) [Authenticator’s name]

[Authenticator’s position]

(Note) Use only if the commander does not sign the original order. If the commander signs the original, no further authentication is required. If the commander does not sign, the signature of the preparing staff officer requires authentication and only the last name and rank of the commander appear in the signature block.

(Annexes) ANNEXES: List annexes by letter and title. Army and joint OPLANs or OPORDs do not use Annexes I and O as attachments and in Army orders label these annexes “Not Used.” Annexes T, X, and Y are available for use in Army OPLANs or OPORDs and are labeled as “Spare.” When an attachment required by doctrine or an SOP is unnecessary, label it “Omitted.”

(Annex List) Annex A – Task Organization

Annex B – Intelligence

Annex C – Operations

Annex D – Fires

Annex E – Protection

Annex F – Sustainment

Annex G – Engineer

Annex H – Signal

Annex I – Not Used

Annex J – Public Affairs

Annex K – Civil Affairs Operations

Annex L – Information Collection

Annex M – Assessment

Annex N – Space Operations

Annex O – Not Used

Annex P – Host-Nation Support

Annex Q – Knowledge Management

Annex R – Reports

Annex S – Special Technical Operations

Annex T – Spare

Annex U – Inspector General

Annex V – Interagency Coordination

Annex W – Operational Contract Support

Annex X – Spare

Annex Y – Spare

Annex Z – Distribution

(Distribution) DISTRIBUTION: Furnish distribution copies either for action or for information. List in detail those who are to receive the plan or order. Refer to Annex Z (Distribution) if lengthy.

(Distro List) HQ XYZ Command

HQ ABC Command