UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

FIELD MEDICAL TRAINING BATTALION

Camp Lejeune, NC 28542-0042

FMST 209

Five Paragraph Order

TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE

1. Given an operational environment and a Commander's order, utilize operation orders to

provide adequate medical support for the mission. (8404-HSS-2001)

ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVE(S)

1. Without the aid of reference, given a description or list, identify the components of a five
paragraph order, within 80% accuracy, in accordance with MCWP 3-11.2 Marine Rifle Squad.
(8404-HSS-2001a)

2. Without the aid of reference, given a description or list, identify the components of a
warning order, within 80% accuracy, in accordance with MCWP 3-11.2 Marine Rifle Squad.
(8404-HSS-2001b)

3. Without the aid of reference, given a description or list, identify the components of a
fragmentary order, within 80% accuracy, in accordance with MCWP 3-11.2 Marine Rifle
Squad. (8404-HSS-2001c)

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1. FIVE PARAGRAPH ORDER

a. Orders generally adhere to the five paragraph format though each will differ due to time
and information available or required.

b. Order Writing Process – The development of the combat order within BAMCIS begins at
the receipt of the mission. It does not end with combat, but continues throughout and after the
fight in anticipation of the next mission. It includes the techniques by which orders and
instructions are organized, sequenced, and transmitted from leaders to subordinates. The combat
order is a continuing process with accomplishment of the mission as its main goal. There are
many types of orders, however we will discuss the three basic types of orders.

(1) BAMCIS – Six (6) troop leading steps by which a leader receives, plans, and executes
his mission. Troop leading steps are a logical and orderly process for making the best use of
time, facilities, and personnel in preparing for and executing an assigned mission. It can be
viewed as elements of planning and decision making cycle.

(a) Begin Planning

(b) Arrange for Reconnaissance and Coordination

(c) Make Reconnaissance

(d) Complete Plan

(e) Issue Order

(f) Supervise

c. FIVE PARAGRAPH ORDER FORMAT

The purpose of the five-paragraph order is to issue an order in a clear and concise manner by a
thorough orientation of the area of operations. A five-paragraph order gives subordinates the
essential information needed to carry out the operation. The order converts the leader’s plan into
action, gives direction to the efforts of his unit, and provides specific instructions to subordinate
elements. At the rifle company level and below, orders are most commonly issued orally with
the aid of a terrain model.

(1) SMEAC The acronym used for the five-paragraph order format.

(a) Orientation - Prior to issuing an order, the unit leader orients his subordinate leaders
to the planned area of operation using a terrain model, map, or when possible, the area of
operation. Keep the orientation simple and brief.

(b) Situation - The situation paragraph contains information on the overall status and
disposition of both friendly and enemy forces. The situation paragraph contains three
subparagraphs.

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 1. Enemy Forces - This subparagraph contains essential information concerning the
enemy’s composition, disposition, and strength based on its size, activity, location, unit, time,
and equipment. While focusing on enemy forces there are two (2) acronyms that will assist you
with the information you must recall.

a. SALUTE This acronym is an established method to remember how and what to

report about the enemy. The purpose of SALUTE is to focus thinking about identifying and
locating enemy weaknesses that can be exploited.

(1) Size – Enemy squad, platoon...

(2) Activity – Enemy digging in, bivouacking

(3) Location – Six-digit grid if possible

(4) Unit – Type and designation

(5) Time – When the enemy was last observed

(6) Equipment – Equipment they possess

b. DRAW-D - This acronym use to assist the leader in determining the enemy’s
capabilities and limitations.

(1) Defend

(2) Reinforce

(3) Attack

(4) Withdraw

(5) Delay

2. Friendly Forces - Contains essential information concerning the mission of the next
higher unit, location and mission of adjacent units, and mission of non-organic supporting units.
Information in this subparagraph can be remembered with the acronym HAS:

a. Higher

b. Adjacent

c. Supporting

d. Attachments and Detachments - Units attached or detached from a squad by

higher headquarters, including the effective time of attachment or detachment.

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 (b) Mission - Provides a clear and concise statement of what the unit must accomplish.
The mission statement is the heart of the order and should answer the following five (5)
questions:

1. Who

2. What

3. When

4. Where

5. Why

(c) Execution - Contains the “how to” information needed to conduct the operation. The
paragraph is divided into three subparagraphs:

1. Concept of Operations - This is a general explanation of the tactical plan; includes a

brief scheme of maneuver from start to conclusion, type of attack and fire support plan.

2. Tasks - The specific mission to be accomplished by each subordinate element of the

unit will be listed in a separate numbered subparagraph. It is the subordinate’s unit mission
statement.

3. Coordinating Instructions - The specific instructions and tasks that apply to two or
more units; includes order of movement, planned combat formations, tactical and fire control
measures (i.e. phase lines and checkpoints) and any other tasks that pertain to the mission.

(d) Administration and Logistics - This paragraph contains information or instructions

pertaining to rations and ammunition, location of the distribution point, corpsman, aid station,
handling of prisoners of war, other administrative and supply matters. This is also known as the
four (4) B’s.

1. Beans

2. Bullets

3. Band-Aids

4. Bad Guys

(d) Command and Signal - This paragraph contains instructions and information relating
to command and communication functions. It contains two (2) subparagraphs:

1. Command - Identifies the chain of command and their location before, during, and
after the operation.

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 2. Signal - Gives signal instructions for the operation such as frequencies, call signs,
pyrotechnics, emergency signals, radio procedures, brevity codes, challenge and password.

2. WARNING ORDER

a. Warning Order - Warning orders give advance notice of an order or action.

(1) Purpose - to provide subordinates with maximum time available to prepare for an
operation or action. Warning orders are either oral or written and must adhere as closely as
possible at battalion and company level.

(2) Information - The format below contains the minimum items of information for
inclusion in the warning order.

(a) Situation – A brief statement of the situation.

(b) Mission – Mission of the patrol.

(c) General Instructions

1. General and special organization. General tasks are assigned to units and teams.
Specific details of tasks are given in the patrol leader’s order.

2. Uniform and equipment common to all. The patrol leader specifies camouflage
measures to be taken and the identification to carried.

3. Weapons, ammunition, and equipment. These items are assigned to units and
teams. Subordinate leaders make further assignments to teams and individuals.

4. Chain of command. A chain of command is established when the patrol includes

personnel from outside the squad.

5. A time schedule for the patrol’s guidance. The patrol leader addresses all events
from the present until the patrol departs. He also designates the place and uniform for receiving
the patrol order, conducting inspections, and rehearsals.

(d) Specific Instructions

1. To subordinate leaders. The patrol leader gives out all information concerning the
drawing of ammunition, equipment, ordnance, water, and rations; identifies the personnel he
wants to accompany him on his reconnaissance; and gives guidance on any special preparation
he believes will be necessary during the conduct of the mission, such as practicing stream
crossings.

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 2. To special purpose teams or key individuals. The patrol leader should address
requirements of designated personnel or teams, such as having point men, pacers, and navigators
make a thorough map study and check their equipment.

3. Fragmentation Order

a. Fragmentation orders are issued when the time element precludes issuance of a complete
order.

b. Purpose - to ensure continuous action as a situation develops or as decisions are made.

Fragmentation orders omit elements found in a complete order that have not changed since the
order was given or the order is unavailable or incomplete at the time of issuance.

c. Information - Fragmentation orders follow the sequence of the related standard order. At a
minimum, they contain two (2) paragraphs from the five paragraph order format.

(1) Mission Statement – the second paragraph of the five paragraph order format. This will
include the same kind of information as if you were preparing the whole order.

(2) Execution Statement – This is the HOW of the operation and should be as descriptive as
possible given time constraints.

d. The commander uses the fragmentation order extensively in fast moving situations.
Fragmentation orders are supplemented by visits, messages, and other fragmentation orders until
the action is completed or a complete order is issued.

REFERENCES:
MCWP 3-11.2

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 ACRONYMS FIVE PARAGRAPH OPERATION ORDER
1. SITUATION
a. Enemy Forces: Situation, capabilities, Indications
b. Friendly Forces: Mission and location of higher,
BEGIN PLANNING adjacent and supporting units. State the higher units
PLAN USE OF AVAILABLE TIME POME
INITIAL ESTIMATE OF THE SITUATION c. Mission of units in direct support
MISSION d. Attachments and Detachments: Units attached to or
ENEMY SIZE DEFEND detached from your unit by higher headquarters, and
ACTIVITY REINFORCE effective time
LOCATION ATTACK
UNIT WIITHDRAW 2. MISION
TIME DELAY Simply state the mission
EQUIPMENT
3. EXECUTION
TERRAIN AND WEATHER: KEY TERRAIN In the first subparagraph give general summary of the
OBSERVATION AND FIELDS OF FIRE tactical plan or operational concept
COVER AND CONCEALMENT In succeeding subparagraph assign missions to each
OBSTACLES organic and attached unit
AVENUES OF APPROACH In the next to last subparagraph designate and assign
missions to reserve (not normally used at platoon level)
TROOPS AND FIRE SUPPORT AVAILABLE Assign a POME
PRELIMINARY PLAN DECIDE POINT
OF 4. ADMINISTRATIVE AND LOGISTICS
Supply, evacuation, transportation, service, personnel
MAIN and miscellaneous
EFFORT
ARRANGE FOR 5. COMMAND AND SIGNALS
a. Signal Instructions and information
MAKE RECONNAISSANCE AND COORDINATION b. Command posts, location of commander
COMPLETE PLAN
ISSUE ORDER
ORIENTATION
SITUATION
A. GENERAL
B. ENEMY FORCES (SALUTE/DRAWD)
C. FRIENDLY FORCE: Higher
ADJACENT
SUPPORTING
D. ATTACHMENTS AND DETACHMENTS
E. ASSUMPTIONS

MISSION: WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY

EXECUTION: GIVE TASKS AND POINT OF MAIN EFFORT
ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS:
BEANS, BULLETS, BANDAGES, BAD GUYS
COMMAND AND SIGNAL
SUPERVISE

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 5 Paragraph Order Review

1. A warning order must consist of how many paragraphs? What are they?

2. Define the acronym SMEAC?

3. What questions should be answered in the “M” portion of SMEAC?

4. Under which paragraph would you find information about medical support?

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