An order is a communication that is written, oral or electronic.

There are 3 types of orders that are given in sequence:

• WARNO

• OPORD

• FRAGO

Orders convey instructions from a superior to a subordinate about a particular mission/event.

There are 4 major types of operations:

• offensive

• defensive

• stability

• Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA)

Examples of offensive OPORD subjects include:

• various forms of attack (raids, ambushes, feint, counter attack, demonstration and spoiling)

• movement to contact (search & attack, cordon & search)

• exploitation

• pursuit

Examples of defensive OPORD subjects include:

• area defense

• mobile defense

• retrograde operations (delay, withdrawl and retirement)

Examples of stability OPORD subjects include:

• prevent insurgent activity

Examples of DSCA OPORD subjects include:

• helping local police with maintaining cilvil order

* * * All orders are based on the same 5 paragraph format of an OPORD * * *

The WARNO (warning order) is the first notification of an upcoming mission/event. It is often given as soon as a Leader is made aware of a mission/event. More times than not, there is limited information available. Regardless, the WARNO reflects all that is known for the operation.

Whatever is unknown is clearly marked as UNK. A Leader should never hold back the issuance of the WARNO until more information arrives. As new intelligence is gathered, FRAGOs will be issued to represent any changes or previously unknown facts.

WARNOs help subordinate Soldiers prepare for new missions. They add the amount of time a unit has to plan/prepare, provide details of the impending operation and specific events that accompany the preparation and execution.

* * * All orders are based on the same 5 paragraph format of an OPORD * * *

An OPORD (operation order) is an established format issued by Leaders to their Soldiers for the purpose of execution of an operation with coordination, clarity, consistency and precision.
The 5 main paragraphs in the OPORD contain:

• Task organization
• Situation
• Mission
• Execution
• Administrative and logistic support
• Command and signal for the specified operation.

Each paragraph has several sub paragraphs.

At the end of the OPORD other guidance may be given in the form of:

• Annexes (fire support, MEDEVAC, engineer, ROEs)

OPORDs always provide:

• an execution date and time

• Commander's intent on how to implement the mission

Here is an example of an OPORD.

All 3 types of orders mirror this 5 paragraph example.

* See my seperate upcoming Guide on writting an actual OPORD *

* * * All orders are based on the same 5 paragraph format of an OPORD * * *

A FRAGO (fragmentary order) is a short form of an operation order.
It is issued when a change is noted in the origional OPORD.
It cannot be issued by itself.

The FRAGO expresses only the changes and the remainder of the OPORD does not change.
It is often issued in sectionsand after an operation order to change/modify that order or to execute a branch or sequel to that order.

After each heading (of the 5 paragraph OPORD format), state either new information or “no change.”
When new intelligence is known about the enemy, a FRAGO would be issued to reflect those changes.

If an OPORD is geared around a raid, a FRAGO may be issued for follow-on mission after a Sensitive Site Exploitation has revealed important new information.

All 3 types of orders can be followed by Annexes.
They contain details and supporting information.
They are used to keep the body of the study concise.
Only the one(s) needed for the mission/event need to be added.

As new information and/or mission/event requirements come up, other Annexes can be added or removed.

* In Arma 3, some important Annexes are:

• Annex D (Fire Support)

• Annex F (Engineer)

• Annex L (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Operations)

An Appendix as seperate topics that fall under a specific Annex. Sometimes, only a specific Appendix is relevant.

For example: in Annex B, a player may only be interested in Appendix 4 (Weather).

An Annex is to be seen as the title of a chapter in a book. The Appendices are like the actual writting in the chapter itself.

Annex List:

Annex A (Task Organization)

Annex B (Intelligence)
+ Appendix 1 (Intelligence Estimate)
+ Appendix 2 (Intelligence Synchronization Plan)
+ Appendix 3 (Counterintelligence)
+ Appendix 4 (Weather)
+ Appendix 5 (IPB Products)

Annex C (Operation Overlay)

Annex D (Fire Support)
+ Appendix 1 (Air Support)
+ Appendix 2 (Field Artillery Support)
+ Appendix 3 (Naval Gunfire Support)

Annex E (Rules of Engagement)
+ Appendix 1 (ROE Card)

Annex F (Engineer)
+ Appendix 1 (Obstacle Overlay)
+ Appendix 2 (Environmental Considerations)
+ Appendix 3 (Terrain)
+ Appendix 4 (Mobility/Countermobility/Survivability Execution Matrix and Timeline)
+ Appendix 5 (Explosive Ordnance Disposal)

Annex G (Air and Missile Defense)

Annex H (Command, Control, Communication, and Computer Operations)

Annex I (Service Support)
+ Appendix 1 (Service Support Matrix)
+ Appendix 2 (Service Support Overlay)
+ Appendix 3 (Traffic Circulation and Control)
- Tab A (Traffic Circulation Overlay)
- Tab B (Road Movement Table)
- Tab C (Highway Regulation
+ Appendix 4 (Personnel)
+ Appendix 5 (Legal)
+ Appendix 6 (Religious Support)
+ Appendix 7 (Foreign and HostNation Support)
+ Appendix 8 (Contracting Support)
+ Appendix 9 (Reports)

Annex J (Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Operations)

Annex K (Provost Marshal)

Annex L (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Operations)
+ Appendix 1 (ISR Tasking Plan/ Matrix.)
+ Appendix 2 (ISR Overlay)

Annex M (Rear Area and Base Security) Annex N (Space)

Annex O (Army Airspace Command and Control)

Annex P (Information Operations)
+ Appendix 1 (OPSEC)
+ Appendix 2 (PSYOP)
+ Appendix 3 (Military Deception)
+ Appendix 4 (Electronic Warfare)
+ Appendix 5 (IO Execution Matrix)

Annex Q (Civil-Military Operations)

Annex R (Public Affairs)

The production and dissimenation of orders (WARNO, OPORD and FRAGOs) are vital for successful military operations.

In the case of Arma 3, tailor the orders as needed.

* See my seperate upcoming Guide on writting an actual OPORD *