1. Troop Leading Procedures
1. Receive Mission
2. Issue Warning Order
3. Make a Tentative Plan
4. Initiate Movement
5. Conduct Recon
6. Complete Plan
7. Issue OPORD
8. Supervise
FM 7-8, pg 2-3

2. Receive the Mission Begins with receipt of initial WARNORD or OPORD
Platoon Leader determines probable mission
Platoon Leader conducts initial time analysis
The receive-the-mission step is intended to get the planning and preparation process underway by enabling him to prepare and issue a Warning Order as quickly as possible.
FM 7-8, pg 2-4

3. Troop Leading Procedures
1. Receive Mission
2. Issue Warning Order
3. Make a Tentative Plan
4. Initiate Movement
5. Conduct Recon
6. Complete Plan
7. Issue OPORD
8. Supervise
FM 7-8, pg 2-3

4. Issue Warning Order Usually given orally.
Follows the 5 paragraph OPORD format
Includes:
Unit’s probable mission
PLs initial time planning timeline
Any additional information available
Initial instructions
This enables the squads and other subordinate units to begin the parallel planning process
FM 7-8, pg 2-4

5. Troop Leading Procedures
1. Receive Mission
2. Issue Warning Order
3. Make a Tentative Plan
4. Initiate Movement
5. Conduct Recon
6. Complete Plan
7. Issue OPORD
8. Supervise
FM 7-8, pg 2-3

6. Make a Tentative Plan (Tools of the Platoon Leader)
Army’s decision making process for tactical situations at Company Level.
FM 71-1, FM 7-8
Continuous process
FM 7-8, pg 2-8

7. Make a Tentative Plan 1. Mission Analysis
2. Course of Action Development
3. Analysis of Course of Action
4. Course of Action Comparison
5. Course of Action Selection
“If the PL (due to time constrains), is unable to develop more than one COA, step 4 does not apply”
FM 7-8, pg 2-8

8. M ISSION ANALYSIS T ERRAIN AND WEATHER E NEMY SITUATION
MTETT (METT-T)
M ISSION ANALYSIS
T ERRAIN AND WEATHER
E NEMY SITUATION
T ROOPS AVAILABLE
T IME AVAILABLE
Guides the platoon leader
through the decision making process
FM 7-8, pg 2-8

9. Step 1: Mission Analysis (Analysis of the Mission)
Identify Purpose
Specified & Implied Tasks
Limitations
Identify Mission Essential Task
Commanders Mission, Concept & Intent 1 & 2 LEVELS UP
Results in the Restated
Mission

10. T ERRAIN AND WEATHER M ISSION ANALYSIS E NEMY SITUATION
Mission Analysis (METT-T)
M ISSION ANALYSIS
T ERRAIN AND WEATHER
E NEMY SITUATION
T ROOPS AVAILABLE
T IME AVAILABLE
Guides the platoon leader
through the decision making process

11. Terrain Analysis (Military Aspects of Terrain)
O bstacles
A venues of Approach
K ey Terrain
O bservation and Fields of Fire
C over and Concealment
FM , pg 2-10

12. Terrain Analysis (Obstacles)
What is an obstacle?
Any natural or manmade obstruction that canalizes, delays, restricts or diverts movement
How are obstacles classified?
Existing and reinforcing
FM , pg 2-14

13. Obstacles cont’d (Terrain Classification)
Unrestricted:
Indicates terrain free of constraints to movement.
Nothing needs to be done to enhance mobility
Restricted:
Hinders movement to some degree
Little effort is needed to enhance movement but units cannot move to preferred speeds or combat formations
Severely Restricted:
Hinders or slows movement in combat formations unless some effort is made to enhance mobility
(GREEN)
(GREEN)
FM , pg 2-15

14. Terrain Analysis (Avenues of Approach)
An air or ground route of an attacking force of a given size leading to its objective or to key terrain in its path.
Mobility Corridor - Areas where a force will be canalized due to terrain restrictions. They allow military forces to capitalize on the principles of mass and speed.
FM , pg 2-18

15. Terrain Analysis (Key Terrain)
Any locality or area the seizure, retention, or control of affords a marked advantage to either combatant.
Examples:
Terrain with good observation over AAs
Terrain providing cover of an obstacle
Road junctions or communication centers used for sustainment
FM , pg 2-17

16. Terrain Analysis (Observation and Fields of Fire)
Observation is the ability to see the threat either visually or through use of surveillance devices.
Fields of Fire are areas that a weapon or group of weapons may effectively cover with fire from a given position.
FM , pg 2-10

17. Terrain Analysis (Cover and Concealment)
Cover is protection from the effects of direct and indirect fires.
Concealment is protection from observation.
FM , pg 2-11

18. Terrain Analysis Additional Considerations: Vegetation Surface Soil
Drainage
Slope
Transportation (LOC)
Canopy
FM , pg 2-16

19. Troop Leading Procedures
1. Receive Mission
2. Issue Warning Order
3. Make a Tentative Plan
4. Initiate Movement
5. Conduct Recon
6. Complete Plan
7. Issue OPORD
8. Supervise

20. Initiate Movement May occur at any point in the Troop Leading Process
Examples:
Move main body to Area of Operations
Send out recon teams
Begin gathering necessary equipment
Begin rehearsing drills you anticipate using
FM 71-1, pg 2-30

21. Troop Leading Procedures
1. Receive Mission
2. Issue Warning Order
3. Make a Tentative Plan
4. Initiate Movement
5. Conduct Recon
6. Complete Plan
7. Issue OPORD
8. Supervise

22. Leader’s Reconnaissance
Plan and conduct leader’s recon for every mission.
If recon reveals a change in the situation, the plan must be adjusted accordingly.
Recon must avoid detection while trying to confirm or deny the leader’s assumptions.
May be conducted at Company, Platoon or Squad level.
FM 7-8, pg 2-9

23. Leader’s Reconnaissance
The smaller the element, the better the chances are of avoiding detection
At a minimum, take a leader from each squad or key element
LDR must specify what information is needed to confirm the plan
Two types
Long Range-Outside small arms fire
Short Range-Inside small arms fire
FM 7-8, pg 2-9

24. Leader’s Reconnaissance
Leader must determine:
His information requirements
Priorities of requirements
Assets available
Security requirements
Time available
Most critical information needed
Leader provides specific guidance on:
Tasking of troops and equip.
Time schedule
Special equipment required
Likely contingency plans
Fire support
Withdrawal from the OBJ
Linkup plan
FM 71-1, pg 2-32

25. Troop Leading Procedures
1. Receive Mission
2. Issue Warning Order
3. Make a Tentative Plan
4. Initiate Movement
5. Conduct Recon
6. Complete Plan
7. Issue OPORD
8. Supervise

26. Complete the Plan
The Tools of the Platoon Leader and COA become the OPORD
IPB results = Para. 1a.
Mission analysis = Para. 2, 1b., Para. 3b., c., & d., and Para 5
COA with analysis = Para 3, 4, 5
Complete a second, more detailed, wargame resulting in the subparagraphs of Para 3, as well as 4 and 5

27. What is IPB ?
Systematic, continuous process of analyzing the threat and the environment in a specific area.
Determines the threat’s likely COA
Describes the environment your unit is operating in.
Helps the Platoon Leader selectively apply and maximize his combat power at critical points in time and space.
FM 101-5, pg 5-6

28. Troop Leading Procedures
1. Receive Mission
2. Issue Warning Order
3. Make a Tentative Plan
4. Initiate Movement
5. Conduct Recon
6. Complete Plan
7. Issue OPORD
8. Supervise

29. Issue the Order Can be issued either orally or written
Issue while observing the combat area if possible
Possible aids that can be utilized
Terrain models
Map boards
Sketches
FM 7-8, pg 2-9

30. OPORD Characteristics
Good Combat Orders . . .
Have Clarity
Are Complete and Brief
Are Timely
Allow Initiative by recognizing subordinates freedom of action within the commander’s intent
Use affirmative form and are authoritative
Avoid Qualified Directives
FM 71-1, pg 2-36

31. Supplements to OPORDs Should amplify or clarify the OPORD
Overlays -- Friendly and Enemy
Fire Support, R&S, Ops, Movement
Intel, Event
Concept Sketch
Terrain Model
Execution Matrix
Fire Support Matrix
Annexes, etc.
FM 7-10, pg G4

32. Troop Leading Procedures
1. Receive Mission
2. Issue Warning Order
3. Make a Tentative Plan
4. Initiate Movement
5. Conduct Recon
6. Complete Plan
7. Issue OPORD
8. Supervise

33. Supervision Rehearsals:
As Time, Resources, and Enemy Situation allows rehearse the following:
Actions on the Objective
Battle Drills for Fire and Movement
Actions on Enemy Contact
Special Teams
Movement Techniques
FM 71-1, pg 2-38

34. Supervision Inspect: Weapons and Ammunition Uniforms and Equipment
Mission Essential Equipment
Communications Equipment
Rations and Water
Camouflage
FM 71-1, pg 2-38

35. Troop Leading Procedures
1. Receive Mission
2. Issue Warning Order
3. Make a Tentative Plan
4. Initiate Movement
5. Conduct Recon
6. Complete Plan
7. Issue OPORD
8. Supervise
The order of these steps doesn’t change
Steps 4-7 are interchangeable.
Step 8 occurs throughout the process.

36. The Process Troop Leading Procedures Military Decision Making Process
Battlefield
Visualization
1. Receive and Analyze
the Mission
Mission Analysis (METT-T)
Mission
Enemy
Terrain (and Weather)
Troops
Time Available
“See the Terrain”
2. Issue a Warning Order
3. Make a Tentative Plan
Development of COA
Analysis of COA
4. Initiate Movement
“See the Enemy”
COA Comparison
5. Conduct Recon
6. Complete the Plan
Selection of COA
Refinement of plan,
Integration of CS, CSS,
and development of branch
plan
7. Issue the Order
“See Yourself”
8. Supervise & Refine
FM 71-1 pg 2-10