Five paragraph order

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The five paragraph order is an element of United States Army, United States Marine Corps and United States Navy Seabees of small unit tactics that specifies instruction to a unit, based on an METT-TC Analysis (Mission, Enemy, Terrain & Vegetation, Troops Available, Time, and Civilian considerations). The Marines use the BAMCIS process (Begin the Planning, Arrange Recon, Make Recon, Complete Planning. Issue Order, Supervise) (e.g. fireteam, squad, platoon, company) while the Army uses the eight Troop Leading Procedures (Receive the Mission, Issue a Warning Order, Make a Tentative Plan, Start Necessary Movement, Reconnoiter, Complete the Plan, Issue the Operations Order, Supervise) prior to potential enemy engagement. Supervision is the most important step from the BAMCIS acronym. It provides a structure for the unit to be able to understand and execute the mission of the unit leader. It is different from other instruction from higher authority in that it is given orally, instead of being issued as written orders. Officers and non-commissioned officers also use it informally to communicate relevant information prior to a non-combat movement (e.g. administrative travel/convoy, field exercise movements, weapon requalification, liberty, etc.).^[1]

Contents 1 Format 2 Variants 3 See also 4 References 5 External links

Format

Outline of five paragraph order:

I. Situation

• A. Enemy Forces
1. Enemy's Composition, Disposition, Strength:(SALUTE) Size, Activity, Location, Unit, Time observed, Equipment
2. Enemy's Capabilities & Limitations
3. Enemy's Most Likely Course Of Action (EMLCOA):(DRAW-DG) Defend, Reinforce, Attack, Withdraw, Delay, Gas
• B. Friendly Forces
1. Higher's Mission & Intent
2. Adjacent Units
• North/South/East/West
• Same Echelon
3. Supporting
• C. Attachments/Detachment

II. Mission
Who, What, Where, When, and (most importantly) Why?

III. Execution

• A. Commander's Intent^[2]
1. Center of Gravity
2. Critical Vulnerability
3. Exploitation Plan
4. Desired Endstate
• B. Concept of the Operations
1. Scheme of Maneuver
2. Fire Support Plan
• C. Tasks
• D. Coordinating Instructions

IV. Administration/Logistics (Sustainment in the Army version)

• A. Administration - "Bad Guys & Bandages": EPW & Casevac Plans
• B. Logistics - "Beans, Bullets, & Batteries": Chow, Ammo, Supply, Comms, Pyro, etc.

V. Command/Signal (Command and Control in the Army version)

• A. Signal
1. Primary
2. Secondary
• B. Command
1. Location of Key Leaders
2. Succession of Command

Since Marines and Soldiers work in small teams, it is important that each member know and understand the order in its entirety so as to be aware of which parts of the order apply directly to them and the subordinate unit to which they belong without being exceedingly aware of minute details provided for general situational awareness.

Variants

The British armed forces use a similar system subdivided into:

• Preliminaries
• Situation
• Mission
• Execution
• Service Support
• Command and signal

See also

• Operations order
• Intent (Military)

References

• Field Training Manual - Student Handout, United States Marine Corps.

1.      ^ The Operations Process TRADOC. Retrieved 16 January 2013

2.      ^ MCDP 1 Warfighting U.S. Marine Corps, Pg. 88 Retrieved 16 January 2013

External links

• The Five Paragraph Field Order: Can a better format be found to transmit combat information to small tactical units?

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Categories:

• United States Marine Corps
• Military doctrines