I am a SPC getting ready to attend Sapper Leadership Course, can someone just help me understand OPORDS before I go?

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Jun 2019 16:07:30 -0400

I can receive OPORDS and understand the mission perfectly fine, but I was wondering if there is a quick way to know what sections of the OPORD can be just regurgitated from highers OPORD and which sections I will need to write? I understand that in the patrolling environment I will be able to task out certain portions like load plans and primary land nav and routes, I will need to be able to do all of it, in short I am very lost in the sauce.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jun 3 at 2019 4:43 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Mon, 03 Jun 2019 16:43:39 -0400

Some of what you ask is Squad and Platoon SOP. There was a great Squad SOP card that designated each of the squad patrol duties, each person had a numbered position and that position had fixed duties. I think there is an example in this article that I coopted for CSS QRF operations.
http://www.alu.army.mil/alog/2001/marapr01/pdf/marapr2001.pdf

You want to dump as many battledrill type things you can into SOP so you don't have to explain crossing a danger area etc in Para 3. When you say Load plans, are you talking how people Load their rucks and LBVs? Or vehicle load plans? Two different animals. Ruck and gear configuration is a SOP thing and shouldn't take valuable OPORD time unless it is essential to the mission or something you normally wouldn't have, then that is a either a Coordinating Instruction or Admin\Log Para 4.

I don't know how Sapper does their patrol events, but what i was raised on was you started the mission with an OPORD and then issued FRaGOs that made you issue new squad orders, so base order info was already out and disseminated. You usually just focused on changes or what seemingly background para 1 imformatiom all of a sudden became important with regard to the FRAGO.

A Cadet asked a similar question last year. Some good responses. In This post I tried to explain the HHQ to Squad order, assuming you are the squad leader. https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-are-some-tips-that-you-normally-use-in-constructing-an-opord

marapr2001.pdf

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2019 7:51 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Jun 2019 19:51:51 -0400

The best person to get with on OPORDS is a LT, or your S3 section at your unit.

Response by CPT Ray Gilmore made Jun 3 at 2019 9:15 PM

CPT Ray Gilmore — Mon, 03 Jun 2019 21:15:03 -0400

Everywhere you go, you will have your Sapper Handbook.

In the General Studies Phase, you will be told exactly what to do; including how to give an OPORD.

During patrolling. We broke into two 5-day patrols, with a Survival Class, break in the middle. (2005) There was 1 mega OPORD, at the start of each of those; then 3 missions each day, run by FRAGOs off of the OPORD. Some FRAGOs will have hours to plan (like the cliff evac mission) for safety; others will be quick.

Rely on your team; and check in with your unit schools guy. We had an SLC training process at the 10th, and at FLW; your unit should be spinning you up on this.

Good Luck.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2019 9:19 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Jun 2019 21:19:13 -0400

Pay particular attention to the Tasks to Subordinate Units and Mission Statement/ Commander's intent. Those sections should be digested and issued verbatim.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Jun 3 at 2019 10:57 PM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Mon, 03 Jun 2019 22:57:27 -0400

Get a Ranger Handbook.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2019 12:13 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 12:13:22 -0400

SMEAC

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Jun 4 at 2019 3:22 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 15:22:17 -0400

They will demonstrate the standard for you, pay attention and you will do fine. Don't get wrapped around the axle and psyche yourself out, by the time it's time to demonstrate proficiency you will know what's expected and what rite looks like. Patrolling used to be the choker and that was due to leadership actions and decision making processes not OPORD faux pas. I just called over and spoke to them, and that is basically still the case. Again pay attention during the training periods, take notes and observe.
Take care and I wish you the best of luck.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2019 9:06 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 21:06:09 -0400

Honestly I think the best thing you can do is practice when it comes to opords. Sit down with someone who has done a few, ask your LT to grab lunch with you one day and give you a quick rundown of how they did theirs in school. Crack open the ranger handbook for sure. I used to add post it's to mine so I could sort through quicky and find exactly what I needed. Then make your own templates, you can get them laminated if you want, but you then only fill in the key words/phrases and like you said, a lot of info just is copy and paste, ie. Briefed mission becomes highers mission etc.

I recommend you don't waste your money on one of those opord templates you can buy online. They're usually too bare and you end up having to redo them anyway.