The five paragraph order is an element of United States Army

United States Army

The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...

, United States Marine Corps

United States Marine Corps

The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...

 and United States Navy Seabees of small unit tactics that specifies instruction to a unit, based on an METT-TC Analysis (Mission, Enemy, Terrain & Weather, Troops & Fire Support, 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

Platoon

A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two to four sections or squads and containing 16 to 50 soldiers. Platoons are organized into a company, which typically consists of three, four or five platoons. A platoon is typically the smallest military unit led by a commissioned officer—the...

, 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.).

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
     Intent (military)
     Intent is a key capability in 21st century military operations and is a vital element to facilitate subordinates initiative , self-synchronisation Intent is a key capability in 21st century military operations and is a vital element to facilitate subordinates initiative (U.S Army 2003, para.1-69),...
     
     
  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
  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

British Armed Forces

The British Armed Forces are the armed forces of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.Also known as Her Majesty's Armed Forces and sometimes legally the Armed Forces of the Crown, the British Armed Forces encompasses three professional uniformed services, the Royal Navy, the...

 use a similar system known as GSMEAC.

G: Ground - the terrain over which the operation is to happen (may be considered to be part of the Situation heading)

S: Situation

M: Mission - a simple mission, normally delivered in a single sentence which is then repeated

E: Execution - Details of how the mission is to be carried out, including:

• Commander's intent - what the unit is to do
• Scheme of maneouvre - how the unit is to do it
• Main Effort (optional) - where it is to be done
• Mission statements for any sub-units
• Timings
• Actions upon certain circumstances
• A summary of the execution plan

A: Administration and logistics

C: Command and signal

In some versions, command and signal are covered as part of the execution, and the 'AC' part of the acronym stands for "ask/any questions" and "confirm understanding". "Any Questions" is to allow the members of the unit to cover any matters they feel may have been missed out, and "Check Understanding" is an opportunity for the person giving the briefing to ask a series of questions regarding key points of the activity to be undertaken, often following the "Pose, Pause, Pounce" method of questioning.

The Australian Army

Australian Army

The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...

 and the Dutch Army use a similar system to those described above.

External links

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