5 Paragraph OPOR (Preparation & Examples)

Conditions

The staff officer receives an order from higher headquarters (HHQ) or the commander derives a mission requiring the staff officer to prepare an operation order. The commander issues guidance on preparing an operation order in a dynamic and complex operational environment (OE) throughout operations to:

• Shape,
• Counter aggression,
• Prevail in large-scale combat operations (LSCO),
• Consolidate gains, and
• Achieve mission objectives.

Regular, irregular, criminal, and/or terrorist threats contest the unit’s objectives in all five domains:

• Air,
• Land,
• Sea,
• Space, and
• Cyberspace.

Additionally, they maintain the ability to sustain all nine forms of contact:

• Direct,
• Indirect,
• Non-hostile,
• Obstacles,
• CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear),
• Aerial,
• Visual,
• Electromagnetic, and
• Influence.

All eight operational variables of PMESII-PT are present and dynamic for brigade and above; four or more variables are present for battalion and below.

The order from higher headquarters includes:

• All applicable overlays and/or graphics,
• Area of operation (AO) boundaries,
• Control measures, and
• Criteria for subsequent tactical actions.

The staff officer has communications with:

• Subordinate units,
• Adjacent units, and
• Higher headquarters.

The commander has organized the four components of the command and control (C2) system to support:

• Decision-making,
• Facilitate communication, and
• Conduct operations.

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Note

• Conduct the task using Secret/Releasable (S/REL) classified mission partner network (MPN) to enable C2, decision-making, and shared understanding with mission partners (collaboration and the display and sharing of relevant information).
• The Army will likely conduct operations on an MPN, within an MPE (Mission Partner Environment) in a combined theater.
• Produce orders, estimates, and other staff products on the MPN, using the Secret Internet Protocol Router (SIPR) not releasable to foreign nationals (NOFORN) by exception.

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Environment

Some iterations of this task should be performed with:

• Degraded command and control networks
• Degraded conditions in the electromagnetic spectrum
• Degraded, denied, and disrupted space operations environment (D3SOE)
• Enemies and/or adversaries creating anti-access or area-denial (A2/AD) conditions

📌 This task should NOT be trained in MOPP 4.

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Standards

The staff officer prepares an operation order (OPORD) by analyzing information from:

• The Military Decision-Making Process (MDMP)
• Running estimates
• The Operational Environment (OE)

The OPORD must provide the commander and subordinate units with all necessary information to achieve mission success.

The staff officer must prepare a clear and concise five-paragraph OPORD:
✔️ In accordance with:

• The commander’s guidance
• The approved course of action (COA)
• The unit’s standard operating procedures (SOP)
  ✔️ The order must institute control measures necessary to integrate and synchronize the operation
  ✔️ The order must allow subordinates to exercise disciplined initiative within the commander’s intent
  ✔️ Prepared in accordance with (IAW) FM 5-0
  ✔️ Must adhere to GO/NO-GO criteria without error
  ✔️ Meet established timelines
  ✔️ Be aligned with the Army Ethic

Performance Steps

1. The Staff Officer Prepares an Operation Order (OPORD)

The staff officer creates a clear and concise OPORD with the required supporting information (using the Army’s OPORD format) from a selected course of action (COA).

• The COA statement becomes the concept of operations for the plan.
• The COA sketch forms the basis for the operation overlay.
• Planners use knowledge, experience, skills, and judgment to fill in missing details for any part of the operation not analyzed during the military decision-making process (MDMP) COA analysis.

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2. The Staff Officer Includes Administrative Information When Preparing the OPORD

📌 Note: Refer to FM 5-0, Figure D-2 for the format and instructions for developing the OPORD.

a. Classification Placement

• Places classification at the top and bottom of every page of the OPORD.
• Adds classification before each paragraph and subparagraph in parentheses.

b. OPORD Heading Information

• Identifies the copy number and the total number of copies (e.g., Copy 1 of 5 copies).
• Identifies the official designation of the issuing headquarters.
• Identifies the place of issue, including:
  • Code name
  • Postal designation
  • Geographic location
• Identifies the date-time group of the signature
  📌 Note: This date is when the order was signed or issued and becomes effective unless otherwise stated in the coordinating instructions.

c. OPORD Identification

• Identifies the OPORD number, code name (if any), and classification of title, consecutively by calendar year.

d. Page Identification

• Adds short title identification headings on pages following the first page of the order.
• Adds order number and issuing headquarters on each page.

e. References

• Lists documents and references essential to understanding the OPORD.
• Lists maps and charts first, including:
  • Series number
  • Country
  • Sheet names/numbers
  • Edition and scale
• Lists other references in subparagraphs.

f. Time Zone

• States the time zone used in the assigned area during execution.
• When the OPORD applies to units in different time zones, it uses Greenwich Mean Time (ZULU).

g. Task Organization

• Describes the organization of forces, including:
  • Attachments and detachments available to/from the issuing headquarters.
  • Command and support relationships.
• Communicates when each attachment/detachment becomes effective (e.g., “on order,” “on commitment of the reserve”).
• Directs long or complicated task organizations to Annex A (Task Organization).

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3. The Staff Officer Prepares Paragraph 1 – Situation

This paragraph describes conditions of the operational environment (OE) that impact operations.

a. Area of Interest (AI)

• Describes AI, including the area of influence across:
  • All five domains (air, land, sea, space, cyberspace)
  • Information aspects
• Refers to Annex B (Intelligence) as required.

b. Assigned Area

• Describes the assigned area using a referenced map (e.g., “Map, reference (a)”).
• Refers to Appendix 2 (Operation Overlay) to Annex C (Operations) as required.
  • Terrain: Describes terrain aspects impacting operations. Refers to Annex B (Intelligence) as needed.
  • Weather: Describes weather aspects impacting operations. Refers to Annex B (Intelligence) as needed.

c. Enemy Forces

1. Identifies enemy forces and evaluates their general capabilities.
2. Describes the enemy’s:
   • Composition
   • Disposition
   • Location
   • Strength
   • Probable COAs (Courses of Action)
3. Identifies enemy informational considerations, if required.
4. Identifies any adversaries within the assigned area and refers to Annex B (Intelligence) as needed.

d. Friendly Forces

Identifies missions of friendly forces in the following subparagraphs:

1. Higher Headquarters Two Levels Up
   • Identifies the higher headquarters mission and commander’s intent two echelons above.
2. Higher Headquarters One Level Up
   • Identifies the higher headquarters mission, commander’s intent, and concept of operations one echelon above.
3. Missions of Adjacent Units
   • Identifies missions of adjacent units and other units whose actions significantly impact the issuing headquarters.

e. Interagency, Intergovernmental, and Nongovernmental Organizations

• Identifies objectives or goals of non-Department of Defense (DoD) organizations with a significant role within the assigned area.
• Refers to Annex V (Interagency Coordination) as required.

f. Civil Considerations

• Describes critical aspects of the civil situation impacting operations.
• Refers to Annex B (Intelligence) as needed.

g. Assumptions

• Identifies and lists assumptions used in developing the OPORD.

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4. The Staff Officer Prepares Paragraph 2 – Mission

• Provides a short description of the:
  • Who (unit or element executing the mission)
  • What (task)
  • When (time of execution)
  • Where (location of execution)
  • Why (purpose)
• Clearly indicates the action to be taken and the reason for doing so.

📌 This section must be precise, actionable, and aligned with the commander’s intent.

5. The Staff Officer Prepares Paragraph 3 – Execution

This section describes how the commander intends to accomplish the mission.

a. Commander’s Intent (Paragraph 3.a.)

Describes 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.

• Purpose – Expanded description of the operation’s purpose.
• Key Tasks – Significant activities the force must perform to achieve the desired end state.
• End State – Description of the desired future conditions that represent success.

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b. Concept of Operations (Paragraph 3.b.)

Describes the sequence of actions the force will use to achieve the operation’s end state.

• Uses components of the operational framework, including:
  • Assigned areas
  • Deep, close, and rear operations
  • Main effort, supporting effort, and reserve
• If the concept of operations is phased, describes each phase in a subparagraph labeled “Phase I,” “Phase II,” etc.
• All paragraphs and subparagraphs must mirror the phasing in the concept of operations.
• Refer to:
  • Appendix 2 (Operations Overlay) to Annex C (Operations)
  • Other attachments to Annex C (Operations) as required.

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(1) Scheme of Maneuver (Paragraph 3.b.1.)

Describes the employment of maneuver units in accordance with the concept of operations.

• Identifies primary tasks of maneuver units, such as:
  • Movement to contact
  • Feint
  • Screen
  • Area defense
• Identifies and includes priorities for the reserve.
• Refer to Annex C (Operations) as required.

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(2) Scheme of Intelligence (Paragraph 3.b.2.)

Describes how intelligence supports the concept of operations.

• Includes priority of effort for:
  • Situation development
  • Targeting
  • Assessment
• States the priority of intelligence support to units and areas.
• Refer to Annex B (Intelligence) as required.

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(3) Scheme of Information Collection (Paragraph 3.b.3.)

Describes how reconnaissance missions and surveillance tasks support the concept of operations.

• Includes primary reconnaissance objectives.
• Refer to Annex L (Information Collection) as required.

📌 Note: For domestic operations, this paragraph is titled “Information Awareness and Assessment”, and the contents comply with Executive Order 12333.

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(4) Scheme of Fires (Paragraph 3.b.4.)

Describes how fires support the concept of operations.

• States priorities, allocation, and restrictions on fires.
• Uses subparagraphs for:
  • Field artillery support
  • Air support
  • Electromagnetic attack
  • Offensive cyberspace operations
• Refer to:
  • Annex C (Operations)
  • Annex D (Fires) as required.

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(5) Scheme of Protection (Paragraph 3.b.5.)

Describes protection measures supporting the concept of operations.

• Includes priorities of protection by unit and area, including:
  • Survivability
  • Local security measures
  • Area security (routes, bases, and critical infrastructure)
• Identifies reaction forces and their priorities.
• Uses subparagraphs for:
  • Operational security (OPSEC)
  • Chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) operations
  • Explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) support
  • Personnel recovery
  • Detention operations
  • Antiterrorism measures
  • Police operations
• Refer to Annex E (Protection) as required.

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(6) Scheme of Engineering (Paragraph 3.b.6.)

States the overall scheme of engineering in support of the concept of operations.

• Describes key tasks in:
  • Mobility
  • Countermobility
  • Survivability
  • General and geospatial engineering
• Includes priorities of support by unit or area.
• Refer to Annex G (Engineer) as required.

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(7) Scheme of Air and Missile Defense (Paragraph 3.b.7.)

Describes how the commander uses air and missile defense to support the concept of operations.

• States priorities, allocation, and restrictions on air defense artillery (ADA) by phase.
• Provides a general narrative that addresses:
  • ADA support tasks
  • Asset allocation
  • Positioning guidance for ADA units
  • Identification and engagement authorities
  • Rules of Engagement (ROE)
• Refer to:
  • Annex C (Operations)
  • Annex D (Fires)
  • Annex I (Air and Missile Defense) as required.

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c. Tasks to Subordinate Units (Paragraph 3.c.)

States tasks assigned to each unit reporting directly to the headquarters issuing the order.

• Each task must include:
  • Who (subordinate unit assigned the task)
  • What (the task itself)
  • When, Where, and Why (purpose)
• Uses a separate subparagraph for each unit.
• Lists units in task organization sequence.
• Places tasks affecting two or more units in Paragraph 3.d (Coordinating Instructions).

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d. Coordinating Instructions (Paragraph 3.d.)

Lists only instructions applicable to two or more units not covered in the unit SOP.

(1) Operational Timeline

• Lists critical times and the time/condition when the OPORD becomes effective.
• Refer to Appendix 3 (Decision Support Products) to Annex C (Operations) as required.

(2) Commander’s Critical Information Requirements (CCIRs)

• Lists the CCIRs, including:
  • Priority intelligence requirements (PIRs)
  • Friendly force information requirements (FFIRs)

(3) Essential Elements of Friendly Information (EEFIs)

• Lists EEFIs.

(4) Fire Support Coordination Measures

• Lists critical fire support coordination or control measures.

(5) Airspace Coordinating Measures

• Lists critical airspace coordinating or control measures.

(6) Rules of Engagement (ROE)

• Lists ROE.
• Refer to: Appendix 11 (ROE) to Annex C (Operations) as required.

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

(7) Risk Reduction Control Measures

• States operation-specific measures not included in the unit’s SOPs, such as:
  • Mission-oriented protective posture (MOPP)
  • Emission control status
  • Operational exposure guidance
  • Fratricide avoidance measures
• Refer to Annex E (Protection) as required.

(8) Personnel Recovery Coordination Measures

• Includes:
  • Isolated Soldier guidance
  • Area-specific legal and ROE considerations for recovery
  • Code of Conduct guidance and training requirements
  • Extracts from air tasking order special instructions
• Refer to Appendix 16 (Personnel Recovery) to Annex C (Operations).

(9) Themes and Messages

• Identifies:
  • Key themes/messages to emphasize
  • Themes/messages to avoid
• Refer to:
  • Appendix 13 (Military Information Support Operations [MISO]) to Annex C (Operations)
  • Annex J (Public Affairs)

(10) Other Coordinating Instructions

• Lists additional instructions/tasks that apply to two or more units as required.

6. The Staff Officer Prepares Paragraph 4 – Sustainment

This paragraph describes the scheme of sustainment, including:

• Priorities of sustainment by unit or area.
• Significant sustainment issues impacting the mission.
• Sustainment risks and unique support requirements.
• Instructions for non-tactical movements, deployments, and transportation (or references to applicable appendices).
• Detailed sustainment instructions are provided in appendices to Annex F (Sustainment).

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a. Logistics (Paragraph 4.a.)

Provides information on classes of supply, including:

• Maps, water, special supplies, and salvage/excess materiel.
• Logistic supply point locations and logistics plan/procedures.
• Refer to:
  • Tab D (Supply) to Appendix 1 (Logistics) to Annex F (Sustainment).

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b. Personnel (Paragraph 4.b.)

Provides personnel support information, including:

• Unit-strength maintenance.
• Personnel management.
• Morale development and maintenance.
• Discipline, law, and order.
• Headquarters management.
• Force provider, religious support, legal and finance support.
• Refer to Appendix 2 (Personnel Services Support) to Annex F (Sustainment).

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c. Health Service Support (Paragraph 4.c.)

• Identifies medical treatment availability, priorities, and instructions from point of injury to Role 3 and Role 4 hospitals.
• Describes plans for:
  • Medical treatment of U.S., joint, multinational forces, detainees, and civilians (if authorized).
  • Medical evacuation and patient transport with enroute care.
  • Medical logistics (including blood management) and device maintenance.
• Refer to Appendix 3 (Health Service Support) to Annex F (Sustainment).

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d. Financial Management (Paragraph 4.d.)

• Provides financial management support information.
• Identifies funding responsibilities, command responsibilities, and functional alignments for financial support.
• Ensures sufficient detail for supporting mission-essential tasks.
• Outlines unique program funding (e.g., Commander’s Emergency Response Program [CERP], DoD Small Rewards Program, Train and Equip programs).
• Refer to Tab B (Financial Management) to Appendix 2 (Personnel Services Support) to Annex F (Sustainment).

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7. The Staff Officer Prepares Paragraph 5 – Command and Signal

a. Command

1. Location of Commander and Key Leaders
   • States where the commander and key leaders will be during the operation (by phase, if phased).
2. Succession of Command
   • States the succession of command (if not covered in SOPs).

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b. Command Posts (CPs)

1. Describes CP employment, including:
   • Location of each CP.
   • Operational/non-operational status.
2. States the primary CP controlling specific tasks/phases (e.g., “The division tactical CP will control the air assault”).

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c. Signal

1. Describes the concept of signal support, including:
   • Key signal node locations and movement.
   • Critical electromagnetic spectrum considerations.
2. States the Primary, Alternate, Contingency, and Emergency (PACE) communication plan.
3. Refer to Annex H (Signal) as required.

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8. The Staff Officer Provides Instructions for the “ACKNOWLEDGE” Section of the OPORD

• Provides instructions for how addressees acknowledge receipt of the OPORD (e.g., “The word ‘acknowledge’ may suffice.”).
• References the message number (if necessary).
• Includes the statement:
  • “Acknowledgment of an OPORD means that it has been received and understood.”

📌 Note: If the commander does not sign, the preparing staff officer’s signature requires authentication. Only the last name and rank of the commander appear in the signature block.

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9. The Staff Officer Requests the Commander (or Authorized Representative) to Sign the Original Copy

• If a representative signs, add:
  • “For the Commander.”
• The signed copy is the historical copy and remains in the headquarters’ files.

📌 Evaluation Guidance

• “GO” if all steps are completed correctly.
• “NO-GO” if any step is incorrect.
• If “NO-GO”, show the correct method.

📌 Evaluation Preparation

• Brief the Soldier on task standards.
• Stress the importance of following procedures to avoid personnel injury or equipment damage.

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10. The Staff Officer Lists OPORD Annexes by Letter and Title

📌 When an attachment is not required, label it “Omitted.”

Annex	Title
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	Air and Missile Defense
Annex J	Public Affairs
Annex K	Civil Affairs Operations
Annex L	Information Collection
Annex M	Assessment
Annex N	Space Operations
Annex O	Spare
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

📌 Note:
Refer to FM 5-0 for appendix and tab designations. Table D-2 (pages 211-215) lists the attachments and responsible staff officers. If the unit does not have a listed officer, unit SOP should designate an alternate.

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✅ End of OPORD Preparation Guide

This fully structured and organized OPORD ensures clarity, efficiency, and mission success.