Operations

Legal Support to Joint Operation Planning
Prepare Operation Order and Time-Phased Force and
Deployment Data/Issue Synchronized Operation Order
Staff Processes
• Determine who is responsible for the
“base plan” and the various annexes of
the operation order.
• Write operation order.
• Develop the time-phased force and
deployment data.
• Brief/obtain approval for the final draft
operation order.
• Brief operation order to components/other
staff.
• Publish/transmit final draft operation
order. Obtain component supporting
plans.
• Conduct crosswalks and backbriefs as
directed.
• Modify operation order as necessary and
publish/transmit.
Staff Judge Advocate’s Actions
• Prepare the legal considerations paragraph of
the “base plan” according to Chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff Manual (CJCSM) 3130.03.
• Prepare the legal appendix according to CJCSM
3130.03.
• Assist the J-3 (operations directorate of a joint
staff)/J-5 (plans directorate of a joint staff) in
preparing the rules of engagement or rules for
the use of force appendix.
• Assist the J-3/J-5 in preparing supplemental
rules of engagement or rules for the use of force
request and authorization messages according
to the format in Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff Instruction 3121.01B, Standing Rules of
Engagement/Standing Rules for the Use of
Force for US Forces.
• Monitor dissemination, training, and
interpretation of rules of engagement or rules for
the use of force and of guidance for detention
operations. Review all training tools used at
lower echelons.
• Review and crosswalk the combatant
commander’s, joint task force’s, and
components’ operation orders and any rules of
engagement or rules for the use of force
authorization messages to ensure they are
legally correct, complete, and consistent.
• Recommend fragmentary order(s) and changes
to the rules of engagement or rules for the use
of force to correct any errors or omissions.
Figure II-9. Prepare Operation Order and Time-Phased Force and Deployment Data/Issue
Synchronized Operation Order
(c) The joint force SJA assists other staff sections in the preparation of annexes
that have significant legal implications for the operation. While a review of the entire
OPORD is required, the most significant legal issues are found in the appendices for
operations including ROE, EPWs and detainees, PR, intelligence, logistics (specifically
annex W [Operational Contract Support]), and force protection. The joint force SJA must
read the entire OPORD to ensure it is consistent with applicable law and policy.
For further guidance on planning, coordinating, supporting, and executing a PR mission,
refer to JP 3-50, Personnel Recovery.
(d) In developing these planning products, the joint force SJA continuously
communicates with and solicits input from counterparts. The Services and Service
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