Application of Practical
Knowledge
Application of Practical Knowledge
The purpose of this lesson is to help you
understand how the information you have
learned relates into practical application of
planning for a mission.
Receiving of Mission
You will receive a mission in the form of a
Warning Order, Operation Order
(OPORD), or Fragmentary Order
(FRAGO). The only difference in these
orders is the amount of information
provided. Once you receive the mission
the first thing you need to do is to plan.
Receiving the Mission
Your mission will be to monitor the town of
Kyongha-ri for enemy activity. You will
take a platoon to Grid 50356810 from your
FOB at Sougjong-ni. You will report what
you observe every other day for one week.
You will need to leave in 5 days.
Planning
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B-begin planning
A-arrange for Recon
M-make recon
C-complete plan
I-issue the order
S-supervise
Begin Planning
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M-mission
E-enemy
T-terrain and weather
T-time
T-troops and fire support (Higher, Adjacent Support)
C-civilians
Mission
What is the unit’s mission?
Move from your FOB at Songjong-ni to Grid
50356810.
Observe the city of Kyongha-ri for enemy
activity.
Hold and observe for one week.
Enemy
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S-size
A-activity
L-location
U-unit/uniform
T-time
E-equipment
Enemy
Size-
Uniformed and Resistance troops operating in platoon size groups.
ActivityLocation-
Patrols and ambushes of troops and convoys. Resistance aiding
the regulars with medical aid and intel. Troops stick to the hgh
ground.
Uniformed troops stationed in the northern region of the country
operating around the south. Resistance operating in both
regions.
Uniformed soldiers of a medium size army of 80,000 troops.
Uniform/Unit-
Time-
Resistance army of locals being supplied by the regular
army. Strength around 2,000,000.
Daylight- ambush operations
Night time- movement and resupply. Resupply by air and road.
Equipment-
Various small arms, RPGs, Heavy machine guns, light
unarmored vehicles, and IEDs.
Terrain and Weather
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K-key terrain features
O-obstacles
C-cover and concealment
O-observation/ fields of fire
A-avenues of approach
Terrain and Weather
Key terrain features-
Mountain 1276 between the FOB and the patrols
operating base.
Unimproved/ dirt road (Singhung Line) running
parallel to the city.
Changjin-gang River running parallel to the city.
Steep valley sides to east of city and Area of Operation
(AO).
Boat docks up an down the river.
Swamps and dense woodland along the mountains
and valley.
Terrain and Weather
Obstacles-
The Changjin-gang River has a depth of 3 feet at it’s
shallowest.
Hill 1276 east side is to steep for foot travel.
The unimproved road does not travel directly to the
platoons operation base and the woods are to thick for
trucks. Foot travel will be needed.
Cover and concealment-
The operation base has light woodland
surrounding the base. It will provide decent
concealment.
The surrounding area has little or no
cover or concealment.
Terrain and Weather
Observation and fields of fire-
Avenues of Approach-
Weather-
The little cover and concealment around
the objective will allow for easy
observation.
The platoon base has two foot trails and the
unimproved road within 100 to 150 meters. This
will give jumping off points for any enemy troops
wishing to attack the platoon. LPOPs will be
needed to provide security.
The platoon will be operating during the fall months.
Temperature (average)- High 87 degrees Low- 42 degrees
Precipitation (average)- 10 inches/ month
Sunrise- 0700 Sunset- 1845
Time
2015 15OCT2011- returning to FOB from south
1830 15OCT2011- leave operation base for FOB
0700 8OCT2011- arrive at Grid 50356810
0500 8 OCT2011- leave FOB for Grid 5035610
0400 8OCT2011- assemble for last inspection
0800 7OCT2011- final inspection
0800 6OCT2011- final rehearsal
0900 5OCT2011- second rehearsal
0800 4OCT2011- issue of OPORD/ first rehearsal
1200 3OCT2011- map recon and photo recon/ first inspection
0800 3OCT2011- choose list of personnel to perform mission
Troops and Fire Support
Organic to the platoon: all three squads
Three M240B machine guns and crews from weapons platoon
One Forward Observer from 3rd Marine Division
One corpsman from medical
Air support from the 46th RAF fighter squadron
Artillery support from the 3rd Marine Division
Medivac provided from 506th Mobile Army Hospital
Civilians
The local population is around 10,000 men,
women, and children. Most of the middle-age
men have joined the resistance. Local economy
is livestock and farming. River trade is common
using barges. Population lives in framed houses
using local lumber. Poverty is common but does
not effect living conditions or health. Most of the
population are familiar with English and most
have at least a 4 grade education. Do not let the
poverty fool you as the population is very smart.
The resistance is very supportive of the
government and army.
Arrange for Recon
At this stage we will request all available
maps, photos, and local intel from the
unit’s G-2 and supporting units G-2.
If any patrols or convoys have traveled the
area where the platoon will be traveling,
their reports should be read for any
information that could be useful.
Make Recon and Coordination
At this point we will go over the maps and photos
and make a primary route and alternate route.
Also, any other plans you need should be
formed at this time.
Coordination with higher units and with supporting
units should be made at this time. Especially if
any troops are to be pulled from other units they
need time to practice with your platoon and to
get their equipment ready.
Complete the Plan
Any changes to intel or operations should
have been found by now and changes
made to the plan.
Issue the Order
At this time an Operation Order will be given to the
platoon to prepare.
The format for all orders will be SMEAC.
S-situation
M-mission
E-execution
A-admin and logistics
C-command and control
Issue the Order- Situation
Paragraph 1.a. Enemy Forces contains information about the enemy
that affects the operation, such as their locations, dispositions,
strength, activities, and capabilities.
Paragraph 1.b. Friendly Forces contains a statement of the mission of
the next higher unit; the location and planned actions of the unit on
the right and left; the fire support available for the patrol; and the
mission and route of other patrols.
Paragraph 1.c. Attachments and Detachments contains a list of
nonorganic units attached to, and organic units detached from, the
command for the specific operation. It includes the date/time the
attachment or detachment is to take place.
*These paragraphs contain information only, not plans or orders.
Issue the Order- Mission
This paragraph contains a concise
statement of the mission, its purpose, and
of the command as a whole. It includes
“what,” “how,” “where,” and as much of
“why” as maybe proper. There are no
subparagraphs.
Issue the Order- Execution
This section assigns definite tasks to each element of the command, organic and attached, that
contributes to carrying out the overall mission. No restrictions are set on the number of
subparagraphs.
Paragraphs 3.a. Concept of Operations is a clear, concise summary of how the commander visualizes
the operation should be conducted. This is an enlargement of the decision contained in the
commander’s estimate. This paragraph should be as brief as possible; but it may be published as
an annex or shown on an operation overlay when it is lengthy or detailed. When an overlay is
used, it need not be written. When an overlay or annex is used, this paragraph makes reference to
it.
Paragraphs 3.b., 3.c., and so forth (tasks for subordinate units) are assigned separate subparagraphs
lettered in alphabetical sequence to each major subordinate element. These subparagraphs
correspond to the alphabetical listings in the task organization. Except as outlined below, all
instructions to any unit having a tactical mission should appear in the subparagraph of paragraph
3 about that unit. Subparagraphs that assign tasks to other combat and combat support elements
(if applicable) should follow.
The final subparagraph of paragraph 3, always entitled Coordinating Instructions, contains the details
of coordination and the control measures that apply to the command as a whole; for example,
objectives, comments, qualifying time of attack line of departure, boundaries, beaches, bombline,
and reference to march table annex. Many of these and other instructions that apply to two or
more elements of the command maybe indicated in an attached overlay. In this case, they need
not be repeated here. In this paragraph essential elements of information might be included
(unless an intelligence annex is issued). Examples are operational reports to be submitted, if not
set forth elsewhere by written order, preparatory fire information, and the effective time of the
order.
Issue the OrderAdministration and Logistics
This paragraph contains administrative and logistic
instructions, when an administrative order is not
issued. When an order is issued, this paragraph
refers to that order. In a small command, such
as a Naval Mobile Construction Battalion, this
paragraph contains all the necessary information
and instructions about rations, arms and
ammunition, uniform and equipment, EPW,
supply, evacuation, hospitalization,
transportation, service, personnel, and similar
matters.
Issue the Order- Command and
Control
This paragraph contains instructions about the command, command relationships, and
the operations of communications and electronics.
Paragraph 5.a. Signal may refer to a standard plan or to a communications annex if one
has been issued. When a communications annex has not been issued, paragraph 5a
should contain references to the index of communications instructions (COI) currently
in effect, instructions on the use of radio and pyrotechnics, and restrictions on the use
of any means of communication.
Paragraph 5.b. Command gives the location of the command post of the issuing unit and
those of subordinate units, when they are known. When the 11-38 location of the
command post or subordinate units is unknown, instructions about the reporting of
command posts when opened maybe included.
Paragraph 5.c. This subparagraph shows the axis of communications (indicated by
successive tentative command post locations) and the location and time of opening of
the message centers. Also, subparagraphs may be included about recognition and
identification instructions, electronic policy, code words, liaison, and command
relationships. Most items in paragraph 5 can usually be shown graphically on the
operation map or overlay. When this is done, they need not be repeated in writing.
Issue the Order- Annexes
Annexes to OPORDs include those used for purposes of brevity, clarity, and simplicity (for example,
maps and overlays). Annexes may also be used to amplify an order when the volume is too great
to be included in the order itself. Annexes are issued to all units whose actions or movements are
affected by the information and instructions they contain.
Sample Annexes (as applicable):
B- Concept of Operations
C- Intelligence
D-Training
E- Construction Tasks
F- Communications
I- Civic Action
O- Logistics (resupply)
P- Admin and Personnel
R- Reports
S- Safety
T- Medical and Dental
U- Disaster Control
V- Public Affairs
X- Contingency Planning
Y- Distribution
Z- Record of Changes
Supervise
Here you will supervise the rehearsals and
then conduct the mission.