FM 101-5 Staff Officers' Field Manual The Staff and Combat Orders

67 COMBAT ORDERS(2) When a distribution of troops is included, it is headed"TROOPS" and follows paragraph 2 of the order, withoutnumber.(3) The tactical components, and commander (if appropriate), of each tactical grouping are grouped under a lettered subhead (a, b, c, etc.) of the distribution correspondingto the subparagraph of paragraph 3 which, prescribes themission of such tactical grouping.(4) The use of a distribution of troops may often be obviated by showing the detailed tactical groupings of the command on an operation map accompanying the order, or byadopting standing operating procedure which sets forth thecomposition of combat groups.c. Body.—The body of the field order contains informationand instructions for components of the command. Intelligence missions (as distinguished from tactical missions whichmust be executed in order to obtain information) are notordinarily placed in the body of a complete field order. Indivisions and larger units they may be placed in an intelligence annex. If no intelligence annex is issued, such missions ordinarily are assigned in fragmentary orders only.The body is divided Into 5 paragraphs as follows, each containing features essential to every complete field order:Paragraph 1. Information.2. The decision and coordinating details ofthe plan applicable to the commandas a whole.3. Tactical missions for subordinate units.4. Administrative matters.5. Provisions for signal communication, including locations and displacement ofcommand posts.Most of the paragraphs can be abbreviated by the use of anoperation map.(1) Paragraph 1.—Paragraph 1 contains such informationof the enemy and of friendly troops as subordinates shouldknow in order that they may accomplish their assigned tasks(form 5, p. 96). It is devoted exclusively to Information andcontains no part of the plan or instructions of the commander. The amount of enemy Information to be placed In42