FM 5-0, The Operations Process - Federation of American Scientists

Chapter 2
COORDINATING INSTRUCTIONS
2-106. Coordinating instructions apply to two or more units. They are located in the coordinating
instructions subparagraph of paragraph 3 (execution) of plans and orders. Examples include CCIRs, fire
support coordination and airspace coordinating measures, rules of engagement, risk mitigation measures,
and the time or condition when the operation order becomes effective.
CONTROL MEASURES
2-107. Planners develop and recommend control measures to the commander for each considered COA. A
control measure is a means of regulating forces or warfighting functions (FM 3-0). Control measures
assign responsibilities, coordinate actions between forces, impose restrictions, or establish guidelines to
regulate freedom of action. Control measures are essential to coordinating subordinates’ actions and are
located throughout the plan.
2-108. Control measures can free up subordinate commanders to conduct operations within their assigned
area of operations without having to conduct additional coordination. Such control measures reduce the
need for subordinates to ask higher headquarters for permission to act or not to act. Commanders establish
only the minimum control measures needed to provide essential coordination and deconfliction among
units. The fewer restrictions, the more latitude subordinates have to exercise individual initiative.
2-109. Control measures can be permissive or restrictive. Permissive control measures allow specific
actions to occur; restrictive control measures limit the conduct of certain actions. For example, a
coordinated fire line—a line beyond which conventional and indirect surface fire support means may fire at
any time within the boundaries of the establishing headquarters without additional coordination—illustrates
a permissive control measure. A route—the prescribed course to be traveled from a specific point of origin
to a specific destination—illustrates a restrictive control measure. (FM 1-02 contains definitions of control
measures and how to depict them. FM 3-90 discusses control measures commonly used in offensive and
defensive operations.)
2-18 FM 5-0 26 March 2010