Army — Company Opord Example

a. Commander’s Intent.

  • End State: Enemy RECON destroyed or displaced beyond PL COPPERHEAD. Apache Company in hasty defensive positions with all key weapons systems oriented northeast. Friendly casualties evacuated. Civilians sheltered.

    • b. Concept of Operations (CONOPS). Phases:

    c. Scheme of Maneuver (By Priority).

    d. Scheme of Fires.

    e. Tasks to Subordinate Units.

    f. Coordinating Instructions.

    a. Area of Interest (AOI). The company’s AOI extends 15km northeast of AA RAVEN to PL COPPERHEAD. Key civil considerations include the village of NOWY SWIAT (NB 4485 3356), which contains a non-evacuated civilian population of approximately 200.

    b. Area of Operations (AO). Apache Company’s AO (NB 4300 3300 to NB 4550 3400) is bounded by MSR HAWK on the west and the BRUNA RIVER on the east.

    c. Enemy Forces (SALUTE - Size, Activity, Location, Unit, Time, Equipment).

    d. Friendly Forces (Higher, Adjacent, Supporting).

  • (3) Supporting Units: 1st Platoon, Alpha Company, 2nd Brigade Engineer Battalion (Talon Sappers) — enabler to breach obstacles.

    • e. Attachments and Detachments.

    By: Tactical Leadership Staff

    For a U.S. Army company commander, the Operations Order (OPORD) is the fundamental tool for translating the commander’s intent into actionable tasks. Whether you are a cadet at LDAC, a newly appointed executive officer, or a seasoned first sergeant, writing and receiving a combat-effective OPORD is a perishable skill.

    This article provides a complete, realistic OPORD example for a mechanized infantry company (M2A4 Bradley) conducting a Movement to Contact in a Large-Scale Combat Operations (LSCO) environment. We will break down the five-paragraph field order, the coordination instructions, and the command and signal annexes.

  • EPW handling: South corner of OBJ.

    • Situation

    Mission

    Execution

  • Fires: Battalion Mortars (81mm) on call; preplanned fire on Objective Rally Point (ORP) 1—timed 080530APR26. Indirect fire clearance 300m from friendly troops unless adjusted by commander.
  • Tasks to Subordinate Units:
  • Coordinating Instructions:

    • Sustainment

    Command and Signal

    Annexes (referenced)

    Example 9-Line MEDEVAC (for reference)

    If you want this OPORD tailored to a different mission (defense, hasty attack, reconnaissance) or a specific unit size or location, tell me the mission type and I'll produce a customized OPORD.

    This scenario is a hypothetical offensive operation: Attack on Objective Alpha.

    CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED

    OPORD [Operation Order] Unit: A Company, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Date/Time: 240800JAN2024 (Local) Reference: Maps: SHEET 3851 IV (VICINITY OF FORT IRWIN)

    TASK ORGANIZATION:

    1. SITUATION

    a. Area of Interest: The AO extends 5km north and south of the objective. Key terrain includes HILL 802 and the RIDGE LINE running East to West. We are focused on enemy reinforcements arriving from the East via ROUTE IRON.

    b. Area of Operations:

    c. Enemy Forces:

    d. Friendly Forces:

    e. Civilian Considerations: Civilians are likely present in the compound. Rules of Engagement (ROE) require positive identification of targets. Do not engage non-combatants.

    2. MISSION

    A Company, 1-16 IN attacks to seize OBJ ALPHA NLT 251000JAN2024 in order to facilitate the forward passage of the Brigade Main Body.

    3. EXECUTION

    Commander’s Intent:

    a. Concept of the Operation: This operation will be conducted in three phases.

    b. Tasks to Maneuver Units:

  • 2nd PLT (Supporting Effort):

  • 3rd PLT (Reserve):

  • Mortar Section:

    • c. Tasks to Combat Support:

    d. Coordinating Instructions:

  • MOPP Level: MOPP 0 (Mask carried).
  • ROE: CENTCOM General Order #1. Positive Identification (PID) required.
  • SOFI (Sequence of Events): Wait for GREEN STAR cluster to lift fires.
  • PW Handling: PWs will be searched, silenced, segregated, and safeguarded at the company rally point.

    • 4. SUSTAINMENT

    a. Logistics:

    b. Transportation: No external transportation required.

    c. Services: Enemy EPWs will be evacuated to the Battalion Detainee Collection Point.

    d. Personnel: Strength reports submitted to HQ NLT 0500 daily.

    e. Health System Support: MEDEVAC priority is URGENT. 9-Line medevac procedures in effect. Landing Zone (LZ) orientation North-South at Grid NU 120460.

    5. COMMAND AND SIGNAL

    a. Command:

    b. Signal:

  • Challenge/Password: (Running) Challenge: "Iron", Password: "Duke".
  • Visual Signals:

    • ACKNOWLEDGE: 1st PLT ________ 2nd PLT ________ 3rd PLT ________

    OFFICIAL:

    //SIGNED// CPT J. SMITH Commanding, A Company, 1-16 IN

    ANNEXES: Annex A: Fire Support Plan Annex B: Intelligence Overlay Annex C: Operations Overlay

    An OPORD follows the 5-paragraph format (SMEAC): Situation, Mission, Execution, Sustainment, Command & Signal. army company opord example