Results for orders

Planning and Orders Production

FM 5-0 is the Army's reference for planning: the military decision-making process, troop leading procedures, Army design methodology, and the formats for plans and orders. If you have ever needed the five-paragraph OPORD format at midnight, this is the book. The November 2024 edition supersedes the 16 May 2022 version and the posted file incorporates change 1, dated August 2025.

What are the three general orders?

One. I will guard everything within the limits of my post and quit my post only when properly relieved. Two. I will obey my special orders and perform all my duties in a military manner. Three. I will report violations of my special orders, emergencies, and anything not covered in my instructions to the commander of the relief.

What is the difference between general orders and special orders on guard?

General orders apply to every guard, everywhere, at all times. Special orders apply to a particular post and are issued by the commander who established that post. General orders never change; special orders change with the post and the mission.

Command and Control

ADP 6-0 is the Army's doctrine for command and control, and the home of mission command -- the approach to command and control that empowers subordinates to act within the commander's intent. The July 2026 edition drops the older 'Mission Command: Command and Control of Army Forces' title and is organized around command, control, and the command and control warfighting function. Its seven principles of mission command are among the most commonly asked board material.

Tactics

FM 3-90 is the Army's tactics manual for offensive, defensive, and enabling operations. It merged the two 2013 volumes of FM 3-90 into one book, so reconnaissance, security, and other enabling tasks now sit with the offense and defense chapters. It is the detail behind ADP 3-90.

The five-paragraph operation order

What belongs in each of the five paragraphs of an OPORD, how annexes hang off it, and the mistakes that make an order unexecutable.

The seven principles of mission command

Mission command is how the Army exercises command and control: tell subordinates what to accomplish and why, then let them figure out how. Seven principles make that work.

WARNORD, OPORD, and FRAGORD

Three kinds of combat order, what each is for, and why the warning order is the one that buys subordinates their planning time.

What are the four types of drill commands?

Two-part commands, which have a preparatory command and a command of execution. Combined commands, where the two parts are combined into one, such as FALL IN, AT EASE, and REST. Supplementary commands, which subordinate leaders give to reinforce or complete the leader's command. Directives, which are oral orders that direct subordinate leaders to put their elements into motion.

What is the chain of command?

The succession of commanders from a superior to a subordinate through which command is exercised. It is the leader's primary channel for issuing orders and passing information.

What is the NCO support channel and how does it relate to the chain of command?

It is the leadership channel that parallels and reinforces the chain of command. It runs from the command sergeant major to the first sergeant to the platoon sergeant to the squad, section, or team leader. It is used to transmit and enforce standards, carry out the commander's orders, and supervise Soldiers' daily duties. It does not replace the chain of command and it is not a separate chain.