OPORD and Annex Example

In this guide, we will examine how to actually write an OPORD and a related Annex.

This guide will assume a SQD sized element unless specified otherwise.

* If you are not familiar with OPORD/Annexes, take a look at my guide: "Order(s) Productions"

* * * Rate, Comment and Follow * * *

OPORD Template Example

Task Organization

1. SITUATION

• Enemy forces:
  + Composition
  + Disposition
  + Strenght
  + Support
  + Probable Enemy COA (Course Of Action)

• Friendly forces:
  + Composition
  + Disposition
  + Strenght
  + Support

• Environment
  + Terrain (OCOKA)
  + Weather

• Attachments and detachments
  + Soldiers have you gained/lost

2. MISSION

+ Who

+ What

+ Why

+ When

+ Where

3. EXECUTION

• Concept of Operations
  + Planning
  + Infiltration
  + AoO (Actions on the OBJ)
  + Exfiltration

• Tasks to other combat and combat support units
  + Critical logistical information required to sustain the unit during the operation.

• Coordinating instructions
  + Coordination/control for sub-units to accomplish task (MEDEVAC, CAS, engineer obstacle reduction).

4. SERVICE SUPPORT

• Materiel and services
  + Ammo
  + Supplies
  + Equipment

• Health service support
  + MEDEVAC plans
  + Medical capabilities

5. COMMAND AND SIGNAL

• Command
  + Chain of Command

• Signal
  + Primary/alternate forms of communication

Below is an slightly different version:

Task Organization

This section is meant to describe your organization.


Example:

Infantry PLT with 3 SQDs; a WPN SQD and a HHC section.

Situation

1. SITUATION

a. Enemy forces
Composition:

• who are you fighting (CSAT, militia) ?

• what type unit(s) are on the battlefield (militia, mechanized) ?

Disposition:

• what posture are Enemy forces having (defensive, patrolling, improved fortification, unaware) ?
  

Strenght:

• what size is the Enemy force (SQD, PLT) ?

Support:

• what type of support does the Enemy possess (CAS, artillery, engineers, Special Forces) ?

Probable Enemy COA: (Course Of Action)



b. Friendly forces

• same as above but regarding your side and minus the COA section

c. Environment
Terrain:

• Use OCOKA
  
  • Observation and Fields of Fire
  • Cover and Concealment
  • Key or Decisive Terrain
  • Avenues of Approach

Weather:

• how will weather affect the mission (moonlight, will the rising sun 'skylight' you, fog, rain) ?

d. Attachments and detachments

• Soldiers from other units that are with you or Soldiers of yours that have been given to other units

e. Assumptions

• what are the known facts vs. assumed facts ?

+ known Enemy ORBAT (known)

+ Enemy position (assumed)

Mission

2. MISSION

Answers the 5 W's - Who, What, Where, When and Why ?

Who:

• which unit is tasked with the mission/event ?

What:

• what are the mission objectives ?

Where:

• in which location is the mission/event taking place ?

When:

• what is the mission/event timeline ?

Why:

• what is the goal/end state of the mission/event ?

Example:

Execution

3. EXECUTION

a. Concept of Operation

Phase 1 - Planning

• recieve an order (verbal/written WARNO or OPORD)

• conduct a recon ('eyes on', aerial, UAV/UGV)

• Conduct a map recon to identify:

+ known/suspected enemy position(s)

+ current friendly position(s)

+ infil/exfil route(s)

+ primary/alternate (HLZ,PZ,DZ)

+ other important information


Phase 2 - Infiltration

• pick a Primary/Alternate infiltration route based on the known threat(s)

• make the infiltration method appropriate to the situation (SDV for maritime ops, HALO for air ops)

Phase 3 - Actions on the OBJ

• are you having a SBF position ?

• based on the mission goal, what needs to be done once on the OBJ ?

• are Special Teams needed (demo, EPW, first aid) ?

• coordinating support by fire (SBF) to 'shift' and 'lift' fires

Phase 4 - Exfiltration

• pick a different Primary/Alternate exfiltration route based on the known threat(s)

b. Tasks to other combat and combat support units

• list and explain the way supporting unit(s) will assist your main effort

c. Coordinating instructions


Make sure to cover in detail important coordinating events with other units

• air movement

• link-up operations

Service and Support

4. SERVICE SUPPORT


a. Materiel and services

• how are you going to sustain the mission ?
  + ammunition
  + equipment
  + repairs

b. Health service support

• what is the casualty evacuation/medical treatment plan ?

Command and Signal

5. COMMAND AND SIGNAL

a. Command

• who's in charge of what ?
  + air Commander
  + ground Commander
  + supply/service Commander
  + section Leaders

• what is the chain of command ?
  + SQD LDR---> Alpha TL---> Bravo TL---> senior enlisted Soldier

b. Signal

• what primary communication is to be used ?
  + radio

• what primary communication is to be used ?
  + verbal commands
  + smoke/flares

Annex List

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)

Only the Annexes relevant are to be used.

For Arma 3, some important Annexes inlcude:
Annex F
Annex H
Annex L

Annex Example

Annex H - Communication

Task Organization - 1 Commo TL; 2 radio operators

1.Situation
Enemy: Does NOT posses EW (Electronic Warfare)

Friendly: Have short/long range radios at a different FOB and must be transported to the COP

2. Mission
- To deliver constant radio coverage and secure from Enemy interceptions

3. Execution
- Have radios available at the COP
- Have 1 radio operator for every friendly SQD to facilitate communications

4. Service and Support
- Assist the SQD as needed in the field and at the COP to maintain radio communications

5. Command and Signal

- Leader Chain of Command

+ SDQ LDR

+ Alpha TL

+ Bravo TL

- Call signs

+ SQD LDR- Alpha1

+ Alpha TL - Alpha 1a

+ Bravo TL - Alpha 1b

- Frequencies

+ PLT Net FM 30

+ SQD Net FM 30.1

+ Team Speak VON

Rehearse Mission

After briefing the OPORD, the team leader(s) conducts rehearsals


- Obstacle negotiation

- Movement formations

- Security halt procedures

- Actions at danger areas

- Actions on enemy contact such as chance, near/far ambush, sniper, air attack, indirect fire


- Terrain model

- Loading/unloading procedures at the infiltration/extraction site

- Special actions (as required)

- Use of new or unfamiliar equipment

- Actions at recovery points or contact points

- Actions in the absence of a communications plan

[Condasoft]

Never estimate strength this way you will never under estimate your opponent.

[A. Rivera]

Thank you.

[Greybeard]

Thanks guys, I appreciate it ! !

[NEPTUNE]

Looks great, very informative. Thanks!

[Eleazar]

So cool, and even more, useable! I'm wishing for a scenario where I could save my ARMA III game progress so I could put this to work over a couple of month campaign time.

[Greybeard]

Thanks ! !

[Drewcat]

Incredibly well written and useful!!
(Although the google image'd in pictures are hilariously inappropriate)

[Greybeard]

@ I fap a lot...thanks for the support ! !

[C0ke]

At guides like these, you can see to which length the a3 rp communities will go