ATTP 5-0.1 Commander and Staff Officer Guide - Army Electronic ...

Chapter 12
designing branches ahead of time—combined with a clear commander’s intent—help create flexible plans.
Incorporating control measures to reduce risk also makes plans more flexible. For example, a commander
may hold a large, mobile reserve to compensate for the lack of information concerning an anticipated
enemy attack.
MISSION ORDERS
12-8. Commanders stress the importance of mission orders as a way of building simple, flexible plans.
Mission orders are directives that emphasize to subordinates the results to be attained, not how they are to
achieve them (FM 6-0). Mission orders focus on what to do and the purpose of doing it without prescribing
exactly how to do it. Commanders establish control measures to aid cooperation among forces without
imposing needless restrictions on freedom of action. Mission orders contribute to flexibility by allowing
subordinates the freedom to seize opportunities or react effectively to unforeseen enemy actions and
capabilities.
12-9. Mission orders follow the five-paragraph format (situation, mission, execution, sustainment, and
command and signal) and are as brief and simple as possible. Mission orders clearly convey the unit’s
mission and commander’s intent. They summarize the situation (current or anticipated starting conditions),
describe the operation’s objectives and end state (desired conditions), and provide a simple concept of
operations to accomplish the unit’s mission. When assigning tasks to subordinate units, mission orders
include all components of a task statement: who, what, when, where, and why. However, commanders
particularly emphasize the purpose (why) of the tasks to guide (along with the commander’s intent)
individual initiative. Effective plans and orders foster mission command by—
� Describing the situation to create a common situational understanding.
� Conveying the commander’s intent and concept of operations.
� Assigning tasks to subordinate units and stating the purpose for conducting the task.
� Providing the control measures necessary to synchronize the operation while retaining the
maximum freedom of action for subordinates.
� Task-organizing forces and allocating resources.
� Directing preparation activities and establishing times or conditions for execution.
12-10. Mission orders contain the proper level of detail; they are neither so detailed that they stifle
initiative nor so general that they provide insufficient direction. The proper level depends on each situation
and is not easy to determine. Some phases of operations require tighter control over subordinate elements
than others require. An air assault’s air movement and landing phases, for example, require precise
synchronization. Its ground maneuver plan requires less detail. As a rule, the base plan or order contains
only the specific information required to provide the guidance to synchronize combat power at the decisive
time and place while allowing subordinates as much freedom of action as possible. Commanders rely on
individual initiative and coordination to act within the commander’s intent and concept of operations. The
attachments to the plan or order contain details regarding the situation and instructions necessary for
synchronization.
TYPES OF PLANS AND ORDERS
12-11. Generally, a plan is developed well in advance of execution and is not executed until directed. A
plan becomes an order when directed for execution based on a specific time or an event. Some planning
results in written orders complete with attachments. Other planning results in brief fragmentary orders
issued verbally and followed in writing. Operation plans and orders follow the five-paragraph format
(situation, mission, execution, sustainment, and command and signal).
TYPES OF PLANS
12-12. Plans come in many forms and vary in scope, complexity, and length of planning horizons.
Strategic plans establish national and multinational military objectives and include ways to achieve those
objectives. Operational-level or campaign plans cover a series of related military operations aimed at
accomplishing a strategic or operational objective within a given time and space. Tactical plans cover the
12-2 ATTP 5-0.1 14 September 2011