BAMCIS and SMEAC: More Building Blocks

From FMST 1214:

Five Paragraph Order

TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. In an operational environment, utilize Operations Orders, to meet mission requirements. (FMST-FP-1214)

ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Without the aid of references, given a description or title, identify the purpose of a Warning Order, per student handout. (FMST-FP-1214a)

2. Without the aid of references, given a description or title, identify the information in a warning order, per the student handout. (FMST-FP-1214b)

3. Without the aid of references, given a description or title, identify the information in an Operation Order, per the student handout. (FMST-FP-1214c)

4. Without the aid of references, given a description or title, identify the purpose of a Fragmentation Order, per the student handout. (FMST-FP-1214d)

5. Without the aid of references, given a description or title, identify the information in a fragmentation order, per the student handout. (FMST-FP-1214e)

6. Without the aid of references, identify the purpose of a Five Paragraph Order, per the student handout. (FMST-FP-1214f)

1. INTRODUCTION

Combat Order - the development of the combat order within BAMCIS begins at the receipt of the mission and 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. We will discuss the three basic types of orders.

BAMCIS - six 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.

Begin Planning

Arrange for Reconnaissance and Coordination

Make Reconnaissance

Complete Plan

Issue Order

Supervise

Types of Orders

Warning Orders

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

Warning orders must, at a minimum, include information regarding the situation and mission, as well as general instructions and specific instructions.

Operation Orders

Operation orders express decisions by commanders that will be implemented in order to accomplish the mission.

Operation orders set forth the situation, mission, decision, plan of action, and method of execution. They convert the commander’s decision into a plan of action and gives direction to the efforts of the command.

The operation order sets forth the who, what, when, and where of the commander’s decision, along with enough of the how and why to ensure intelligent compliance. Operation orders may be written or oral.

Fragmentation Orders

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

Fragmentation orders 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.

Fragmentation orders follow the sequence of the related standard order. At a minimum, they contain the mission statement and execution statement paragraphs from the five paragraph order format.

2. FIVE PARAGRAPH ORDER FORMAT - orders generally adhere to the five paragraph format, though each will differ due to time and information available or required. 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.

SMEAC - acronym used to help remember the five-paragraph order format:

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

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 acronyms that will assist you with the information you must recall.

SALUTE - this acronym is an established method to remember how and what to report about the enemy. The purpose of SALUTE is to focus your thinking on identifying and locating enemy weaknesses that can be exploited:

Size - enemy squad, platoon, etc.

Activity - enemy digging in, bivouacking

Location - six-digit grid if possible

Unit - type and designation

Time - when the enemy was last observed

Equipment - equipment they possess

DRAW-D - this acronym is used to assist the leader in determining the enemy’s capabilities and limitations:

Defend

Reinforce

Attack

Withdraw

Delay

Friendly Forces - this subparagraph 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 - Higher, Adjacent, Supporting.

Attachments and Detachments - units attached or detached from a squad by higher headquarters, including the effective time of attachment or detachment.

Mission - provides a clear and concise statement of what the unit must accomplish. The mission statement is the heart of the order, and should provide information on the who, what, when, where, and why of the order.

Execution - contains the information on how to conduct the operation. The paragraph is divided into three subparagraphs.

Concept of Operations - this is a general explanation of the tactical plan. It includes a brief scheme of the maneuver from start to finish, type of attack, and fire support plan.

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.

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

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 B’s - Beans, Bullets, Band-aids, and Bad guys.

Command and Signal - this paragraph contains instructions and information relating to command and communication functions. It contains two subparagraphs.

Signal - gives signal instructions for the operation such as frequencies, call signs, pyrotechnics, emergency signals, radio procedures, brevity codes, challenges, and passwords.

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

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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?