Appendix D
Orders and Reports
Orders are written or oral communications directing action. They are based on plans or the receipt of a new mission. Use reports extensively to provide information to higher, lower, and adjacent commands. Although there are many, this appendix is limited to combat orders and reports. Refer to FM 101-5 for more information about orders.
ORDERS
D-1. Combat orders pertain to strategic, operational, or tactical operations and their service support. The combat orders used by MP are WOs, OPORDs, and FRAGOs.
WARNING ORDERS
D-2. Refer to FM 101-5 for an example of a WO. WOs provide advance notice of an action so that MP can use available time for preparations, and they—
Are a part of planning the use of available time. WOs should be kept simple.
Describe the operation and the preparations to be made before the OPORD is issued.
Include the situation, the mission, special instructions, and the time and place for issuing the OPORD.
OPERATION ORDERS
D-3. OPORDs coordinate actions to carry out the commander's plan for an operation, and they—
Explain how leaders at different levels want the operation conducted. To ensure that maneuver and other non-MP units carry out actions or provide a form of support that MP plans and operations depend on, state the required actions or support in the coordinating instructions paragraph of the division and brigade OPORDs.
Have a great impact on how subordinate leaders employ units and perform missions. For example, the MP platoon leader's latitude to employ the unit could be restricted, based on how the company commander wants the operation conducted.
May be written, oral, graphic (such as traces and overlays), or a combination of these forms.
Are usually written when prepared at company level and above.
Have a standardized system of designating days and hours in relation to an operation or an exercise.
Follow a prescribed written format, that contains a classification, heading, body, and ending.
Have a prescribed five-paragraph format for the body of the order, which includes the following:
D-4. The risk management process is greatly enhanced by incorporating the risk assessment into the OPORD. The commander integrates risk management into the order, rather than treating it as an afterthought. Leaders at all echelons assess the effectiveness of their units by reviewing how well hazards are identified and risk controls are specified in oral and written orders. Refer to Figure D-1, for an example of an OPORD format. (Refer to FM 101-5 , Appendix H , for further discussion of an OPORD.)
D-5. FRAGOs issue supplemental instructions to a current OPORD or OPLAN while the operation is in progress, and they—
Provide brief, specific, and timely information without loss of clarity.
May be issued to change an OPORD that has already been issued. As such, only those items from the original OPORD that have changed are included in the FRAGO, as long as clarity is not sacrificed.
STANDING OPERATING PROCEDURES
D-6. SOPs prescribe routine methods to be followed in operations, and they—
Reduce the number, length, and frequency of other orders. Because the SOP is a standing order, do not repeat the information contained therein in other orders unless emphasis is desired.
Have no prescribed format. However, ensure that the subordinate unit SOPs follows the format of the next higher HQ SOP if possible.
Prescribe actions of a recurring nature that lend themselves to definite or standardized procedures. Examples include the following items:
NOTE: These items are generally the constants in what is otherwise a frequently changing set of circumstances.
REPORTS
MP contribute to the commander's situational awareness by providing timely information to higher HQ. They collect and report information in the form of administrative, operational, or intelligence reports. These reports ensure that the commander receives continuous current information. Tables D-1 through D-3 are examples of reports used by MP when conducting CS operations. Refer to FM 101-5-2 for a complete listing of the standardized Army report and message formats.
Table D-1. Administrative Reports
Casualty | The unit or the section with casualties | The number of dead, wounded, or sick | Upon experiencing casualties or as required by the SOP or HQ | Higher HQ | By the most secure means and encoded if by unsecure radio | DA Form 1156 or per SOP |
Personnel | Submitted at company level and higher (input is needed from the squad or section) | Personnel strength accounting and status | Daily | Higher HQ | DA Form 5367-R | DA Form 5367-R |
Periodic logistic | Submitted at company level and higher (input is needed from the squad or the section) | Supported strength and status of critical supplies | As supplies become depleted or as required by the SOP | Higher HQ | By the most secure means and encoded if by unsecure radio | |
Journal | Units or sections operating independent of the parent organization | Events about a unit or section during a given or specified period | As events occur over the given or specified period | Maintained locally (provide to higher HQ on request) | DA Form 1594 | DA Form 1594 |
Closing | The unit leader | Notice of change of the location | Upon arrival at the new site | Higher HQ | Secure the radio |
Table D-2. Operational Reports
Situation and status | Commander or leader closest to the situation | Tactical situation or status | Immediately after a significant event or as specified | Higher HQ. | By the most secure means and encoded if by unsecured radio | |
Force tracking (diversion, holding, or passing) | Designated TCP and mounted patrols | Unit movement along the MSR | As requested or designated in the SOP | Local movement control unit | Secure voice or encoded | Division transportation office (DTO) or the Provost Marshal Office (PMO) adopted SOP format |
Offense | TCP and mounted patrols | Violation of MSR regulations | When tasked to conduct MMS and MSR regulations are in force | Through military channels to the driver's commander | Written report. (refer to FMs 55-10 and 101-5) | |
EPW | Platoon, squad, and team operating the collecting points | The number of EPWs collected and evacuated | As required | Higher HQ | By the most secure means and encoded if by unsecured radio | Per SOP |
Intention of laying a minefield | Platoon, squad, or team leader preparing to lay the minefield | Tactical objectives and characteristics of the minefield | Before emplacing the mines | Higher HQ | Written or by a secure radio (refer to FM 20-32) | |
Initiation of laying a minefield | Platoon, squad, or team leader of the force laying the minefield | Emplacement of the mine | When emplacement begin | Higher HQ (mandatory) | Written or by a secure radio (refer to FM 20-32) | |
Platoon, squad, or team leader of the force laying the minefield |
Written or by a secure radio (refer to FM 20-32) |
Table D-3. Intelligence Reports
Spot | Unit, section, or individual observing the enemy (all the echelons) | Enemy activity and area information of immediate value | Upon contact or as requested | Higher HQ | By the quickest means and encoded if by unsecured radio | |
Meaconing, intrusion, jamming, interference (MIJI) | Soldier experiencing electronic warfare | Correct report according to the type of interference | As soon as possible after the incident | Through signal channels to the higher HQ. | SOI defines the report and how to prepare it | |
NBC 1 | Observer | Observation concerning suspected NBC attacks and resulting hazardous areas | Upon observing a suspected enemy NBC attack | Higher HQ. | Secure radio | |
NBC 4 | Element in contact with radiation | Radiation dose rates | Upon contact with radiological contamina-tion or as directed | To higher HQ | Secure radio | |
Patrol | Patrol leader | Pertinent information pertaining to the patrol's activity | Upon completion of the patrol | To higher HQ | Written | |
Enemy minefield location | Soldiers encountering an enemy minefield | Characteristics of the minefield | Upon locating a minefield | To higher HQ | Secure radio (refer to FM 20-32) | |
SALUTE | Observer | Enemy activity; for example, convoy, patrol vehicles, and aircraft | Upon encountering the enemy's activity | Higher HQ | By the most secure means and encoded if by unsecure radio (refer to FM 101-5) |
S - Size A - Activity L - Location U - Unit T - Time E - Equipment |
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