Example Order

For this scenario, consult the above map. At OCS, you won't have maps, but this scenario will make more sense if you can picture it. I know the image is tiny so when I get to my computer, I'll fix it...

Brown - borders of AO

Blue - Assesmbly Area

Red - Enemy

Greeen - Key terrain

Purple - Obstacles

I will explain the order using a fake tactical scenario. Any asterisks are parts that I believe you don't have to flesh out. So when you study the order and this part doesn't seem familiar, leave it out.

In this scenario, the year is 2050 and the Philadelphia Police Department has not been able to curb the drug problem in the Kensington neighborhood. The new Police Commissioner is tough on crime and decides to send in the Marines. The Commandant of the Marine Corps supplies the Commissioner with a company of Marines. This company is called Bravo Company and has 3 platoons.

You, Corporal Hart, are the 2nd squad leader in 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, and your Marines have just returned from Wawa to get hoagies and Arctic Splash for the platoon. Your Platoon Commander, Captain Hook, has just gotten out of a meeting with the Company Commander. Your Platoon Sergeant, Staff Sergeant Moore, walks over and stabs a laminated paper, a Warning Order, onto an upright piece of plywood in the abandoned warehouse your platoon is posted up in. He yells at you all to take a look. According to the Warning Order, there will be a brief issued to the Squad Leaders in an hour.

*ONE HOUR LATER*

You and the other two squad leaders meet with Captain Hook and SSgt Moore. On the ground is a crudely drawn map, with pebbles, used syringes, and other debris made to look like houses and streets. This is a terrain model.

Captain Hook asks you to gather around. She then proceeds to issue the 5 Paragraph Order, complete with appropriate sign posting and walking the dog (explained later). Before giving the order, SSgt Moore orders a fireteam to POST SECURITY around the perimeter in order to watch for any sign of the enemy.

"ORIENTATION.

North is as depicted.

We are currently located in the abandoned warehouse at the intersection of D St & Somerset St. We are bounded by Allegheny Ave to the North, Kensington Ave to the East, Lehigh Ave to the South, and Front St to the West.

Obstacles in our AO include the tracks in between Gurney and Tusculum Streets, the electrical grid at Boudinot St and Hart Ln, and icy, narrow, potholed filled streets. The rowhomes covering whole blocks will provide cover and concealment. Observation is as far as you can see. The alley ways in between will be our avenues of approach, along with the bridges on Front St, A St, and B St. Key terrain in our AO will be the three bridges, Needle Park, and and the gulch along the tracks. The weather will below freezing, with little chance of rain or snow.

Are there any questions? None? Hold all questions until the end.

SITUATION.

Enemy.

Composition/Disposition/Strength. Over the last 48 hours, a fireteam sized element from the Mutter Street Gang were seen occupying the abandoned house with the green awnings at B St & Indiana Ave. They are equipped with Glock pistols, switch blades, and baseball bats. They have recently murdered two innocent 10-year-old children who were witnesses to them committing a crime. A third child witnessed the crime as well and this gang will not hesitate to kill this child when they find out who they were.

BCapabilities and Limitations. The enemy is capable of defending their house but are limited by the dilapidated walls of their hideout and the range of their pistols. The enemy is capable of reinforcing up to a fireteam+ with other drug runners hiding in the AO, but are limited by the dispersion of these runners. The enemy is capable of attacking but are limited in their lack of automatic fire. The enemy is capable of withdrawing but is limited by the garbage, debris, and broken glass in the means of egress. The enemy is capable of delaying but is limited by the structural damage to their home. I believe the enemy will withdraw to the gulch along the tracks as soon as we make contact.

Friendly Forces.

Higher's Mission and Intent: Bravo Company destroys the enemy in Kensington Heartland in order to clear Kensington Heartland of all enemy forces.

Adjacent Units:

1st Platoon to the West destroys the enemy west of Front St in order to clear Kensington Heartland of all enemy forces.

3rd Platoon to the North destroys the enemy north of Allegheny in order to clear Kensington Heartland of all enemy forces.

Supporting Units: NONE*

Attachments and Detachments: NONE*

MISSION.

At 0800, 2nd Platoon will destroy the enemy located at B and Indiana in order to clear Kensington Heartland of enemy forces. I repeat, at 0800, 2nd Platoon will destroy the enemy located at B and Indiana in order to clear Kensington Heartland of enemy forces.

EXECUTION.

Commander's Intent:

Purpose*. In order to clear Kensington Heartland of enemy forces.

Method.* Offensive attack

Endstate* Enemy is destroyed, Kensington Heartland is clear of enemy forces, and Friendly Forces can move freely in the AO.

Concept of Operations:

Scheme of Maneuver: We will have one main effort and two supporting efforts. We will depart from the AO in a platoon column until we have reached the attack position located at C St and Cambria St. One squad will travel northwest to the drug house. One squad will move north to Needle Park in support of the main effort. The other supporting effort will travel west to the gulch in anticipation of enemy withdrawal to the South. After destroying enemy forces, we will consolidate in the drug house.

Fire Support Plan: NONE

Tasks:

2nd SQUAD, you are the main effort. On order, you will depart from the attack position and destroy enemy forces located at the abandoned house in order to clear Kensington Heartland of enemy forces.

1st SQUAD, you are supporting effort 1. On order, you will depart from the attack position and occupy Needle Park in order to clear Kensington Heartland of enemy forces.

3rd SQUAD, you are supporting effort 2. On order, you will depart from the attack position and occupy the gulch in order to clear Kensington Heartland of enemy forces.

Coordinating Instructions:

Time of Attack 0800

Base Unit 2nd Squad

Order of Movement 2nd Squad, 1st Squad, 3rd Squad

Tactical Control Measures

Assembly Area: D St & Somerset St

Attack Position: C St & Cambria St

Line of Departure: Cambria St

Assault Position: C St & Indiana Ave

Objective: B St & Indiana Ave

IV. Administration & Logistics

Administration

In the event of a casualty, Squad Leaders will designate a FT to handle their squad's respective casualty and transport back to the Assembly Area using the Squad Leader's evacuation route. In the event we taken EPWs, Squad Leaders will designate a team to transport EPWs back to the collection point.

Logistics

Each Marine will be stepping off with an M16 rifle, two full magazines, two canteens, camelback, and 2 MREs.

V. Command & Signal

Signal

We will be using hand/arm signals, voice upon contact.

Command

Location of Key Leaders

I will be located with 2nd Squad. Company 1st Sgt, Company GySgt, and Company Corpsman will be located at the Assembly Area.

Succession of Command

In the event I am a casualty, succession of command is as followed:

2nd Squad Leader, 1st Squad Leader, 3rd Squad Leader

The time is now 0600. Are there any questions?"

You raise your hand.

"Um, Ma'am, I didn't understand any of that. Could you explain...EVERYTHING?"

SSgt Moore yells at you to follow him, where he breaks everything down for you....