What are some tips that you normally use in constructing an OPORD?

1LT Kevin Chapman here is some advice:

Always think: Who am I in this order? Am I a Squad Leader? Platoon Leader? Team Leader?

What is in the higher HQ OPORD is for that whole formation. The typical Cadet type situations is that you are a subordinate squad and you are working from a platoon OPORD that you receive FRAGOs from. If I remember correctly...

Generally, you need to do hasty mission analysis on what you are given. I can't find it, but I once had a chart of higher To lowers OPORD what came from where. So I'm doing this from memory. Fuzzzzzzy memory from booze soaked brain cells from 25 years ago, so buckle up.

Patrolling is the bread and butter of squads as Cadet Command leverages them to evaluate leadership. Squads have a few key missions:
- defend: a patrol base or as part of a larger force, defending an assigned sector.
- movement to contact
- ambush
- raid (really as only part of a larger force since you want a 3:1 attack to defend ratio or better for a dug in enemy unit)

You will have battle drills and tasks that are really the same no matter what mission you are doing, these should be squad SOP so you don't have to fill up Coordinating instructions in Para 3 with what Smith has in his pockets while he is doing aid and litter. Here are some of the key drills. Consult FM 7-8, then consult the Ranger Handbook. 7-8 is easier in my mind and more global of a solution. the old school 7-8 had lots of pictures that made it clear. Key battle drills:
- React to contact
- React to indirect fire
- Actions on the objective (special teams like demo, aid and litter, EPW/SEARCH, recorder, time keeper, security etc.)
- Tactical movement (traveling, over watch, and bounding over watch and when you use each)
- using an objective rally point
- write/issue the order
- rehearsal....you have to identify the critical actions of the particular mission and rehearse/brief back that portion of the entire mission.
- identifying the tactical route
- navigate'
- pace count
- Crossing danger areas
- Command succession
- contingency plans, particularly GOTWA for leader's recon and recon missions....basically anytime the squad is apart.
- 1/3 2/3 rule.
If any of this sounds like FORTRAN, then you need to read FM7-8.

Leverage tools:
- They used to issue a Cadet "How to Fight" manual, that was kind of like the Ranger Handbook, but simpler. It has fill in the blank Mad Lib type OPORDs for each mission type among many other things. you usually get it at camp, but I am sure in the digital age its out there. Worth it to have some made from KINKOs.
- A Patrol SOP card. this used to be in that Cadet How to Fight Manual. I subverted it for CSS QRFs in the late 90s/early 2000s. You'll need to add back pace count and backup map to the tasks. It is in this article in Army Logistician (Now Army Sustainment). There is no confusion, you have an assigned number and those are your jobs. Someone goes down, you reassign and move out. http://www.alu.army.mil/alog/2001/marapr01/pdf/marapr2001.pdf
- Each guy/gal in your squad will show up with high speed SOPs for everything. Pick one, make sure it is doctrinally sound and simple, and roll with it. Don't worry about not invented here

OPORD higher to lower:

Higher Paragraph 1 Situation: pick out key facts from this one and they go into your Para 1. Adjacent units and enemy. Don't forget to step down adjacent units to the Squad level, you will need that from Higher Para 3 Tasks to Sub Units and Scheme of Maneuver.

Higher Paragraph 2: Carefully read this and COMMANDER'S INTENT, if you got nothing else, you should be able to execute your mission successfully. Identify key tasks in it and see how each squad's tasks (Mission) fit together. MISSION and INTENT of NEXT HIGHER go in your para 1.

Higher Para3: Some key portions here. Scheme of Maneuver, lays out how they see the mission unfolding with the different sub elements. you pick out the context of what you are to do. very important TASKS TO SUBORDINATE UNITS. this will more than likely form 75% of your para 2 MISSION. Fires....they usually don't play this. Check with the MS IVs to see what they did at Camp. its too hard for them to replicate on the fly. All those artillery simulators at Camp are just motivational aids because you are taking too long and they need you to hurry up before the next lane starts behind you. Watch for key set times specified in the order.

Higher Para 4 SUSTAINMENT, formerly Admin and Log: The usual setting you are already on a mission and you receive a FRAGO to do something else. You got what you got. this is usually anemic in the order they give you. But for real world, this tells you how you get all the tactical logistics functions (man, arm, fuel, fix, move, and sustain soldier's and their systems), all classes of supply (usually emphasis is on 3, 5, Medical, and Maintenance for when you have vehicles :) ), and any special procedures to get these things. Medical CASEVAC, MEDEVAC, AXPs etc will be in here. You will not have a lot to put in to this paragraph. Any logistics you may need to conduct with the mission will be part of Troop Leading Procedures (TLPs) and Squad SOP like topping off water. Youll have your rations. Youll already have ammunition. You may have some special instructions for EPW and CASEVAC.

Higher Para 5 Command and Signal: You have to pass on the chain of command succession for higher, even though it may be tactical window dressing. You and your two TLs huddle while crossing a danger area, and wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew! Boom! Succession is tested. Frequencies...ensure everyone knows them. Your squad succession should be SOP, but stated during the OPORD, out loud, so the evaluator hears it.

Don't forget that you NEED to have a rehearsal (preferred), key action rehearsal (next best), brief back (honorable mention). Sometimes we called this the 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 rule with write OPORD, BRIEF, REHEARSE respective. Use the sand table to your advantage. ASK the evaluator if he wants the sand table "erased" before you hit LD. They will say no because the next team will use it. IRL you'd wipe out or sterilize the sand table for OPSEC.

Squad Para 1: some of it came from Higher Para 1 and 3. Mission and Intent two levels up. Adjacent Units.
Squad Para 2: your assigned task. Task, Purpose, End State. Short. Simple. Something that can be understood by someone who has been up for three days....oh wait, that's you ! Who (your squad), what, where, when, why....how is Para 3.
Squad Para 3: you develop the scheme of maneuver (movement technique, formation type, especially where you plan to transition between them, ORPs, RPs etc) based on what is happening in other squads on your left and right. Tasks to subordinate units. You develop a SHORT and NECESSARY set of tasks to the teams or individuals. Most of the battle drills, movement, communicating, and navigation should be SOP (I cant advocate for that numbered patrol SOP card enough, prevents so many "expert opinion" fights, just follow the damn card!). State in the order that you are following the SOP. They may ask to look at it. If you get special equipment, weapons, or anything out of the ordinary that is new, specify a task to someone to operate it, carry it, etc. Example: M136 LAWs for an anti armor ambush. This is your main effort should be in the scheme, tasks, and Para 4. Issue your own time line.

Squad Para 4: mention to TLs to consolidate, reorganize and cross level ammunition IAW SOP. Add anything unique to that mission like EPW and CASEVAC. Don't go in to detail of the Higher Para 4 unless it is going to happen during patrol base operations or after you cross LD. WATCH for something you need to direct to the TLs during TLPs whilst you INITIATE MOVEMENT with them. redistributing ammo and topping off water are the two big ones.

Squad Para 5: Reiterate your squad succession of command and the things I mentioned above. Key frequencies. PACE.

Questions?

I'm just an MSIV, but my advice is to utilize your RTO and your PSG when writing a platoon level OPORD. Let your RTO write and present the command & signal paragraph while your PSG writes and presents the sustainment paragraph. That way, you can focus the bulk of your time to the execution paragraph. When I went to camp last summer, cadets who delegated in this manner usually had the most successful missions.

Also, not OPORD advice but just camp advice in general, make sure that you really proficient at rucking before you go and make sure that you are able to ruck with 60+ pounds of weight.

Good luck at camp!

Break down Execution in Phases as opposed to paragraph. It would be easier to follow and remember.