Five paragraph order

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The five paragraph order is an element of United States Marine Corps and United States Army small unit tactics that specifies instruction to a unit based upon an METT-T Analysis (Mission, Enemy, Terrain & Weather, Troops & Fire Support, and Time) using the BAMCIS process (Begin the Planning, Arrange Recon, Make Recon, Complete Planning. Issue Order, Supervise) (i.e. fireteam, squad, platoon, company, etc.) prior to potential enemy engagement. It provides a structure for the unit to be able to understand and execute the mission of the unit leader. It is different from other instruction from higher authority in that it is given orally, instead of being issued as written orders. Officers and non-commissioned officers also use it informally in order to communicate relevant information prior to a non-combat movement (e.g. administrative travel/convoy, field exercise movements, weapon requalification, liberty, etc.).

Outline of five paragraph order:

O-SMEAC

Orientation The purpose of Orientation is to simply orient subordinates prior to the issuing of the order. Be thorough but concise.

I. Situation

A. Enemy Forces
1. Enemy Situation (SALUTE) Size, Activity, Location, Unit, Time (observed), Equipment
2. Enemy's Capabilities/Limitations (DRAW-D) Defend, Reinforce, Attack, Withdraw, Delay
3. Enemy's Most Probable Course Of Action (EMPCOA)
B. Friendly Forces
1. Higher's Mission & Intent
2. Adjacent Units
  - North/South/East/West
  - Same Echelon
3. Supporting
C. Attachments/Detachments

II. Mission
Who, What, Where, When, and (most importantly) Why?

III. Execution

A. Commander's Intent
1. Center of Gravity
2. Critical Vulnerability
3. Exploitation Plan
4. Desired Endstate
B. Concept of the Operation
1. Scheme of Maneuver
2. Fire Support Plan
C. Tasks
D. Coordinating Instructions

IV. Administration/Logistics (Service Support in the Army version)

A. Administration - "Bad Guys & Bandages": EPW & Casevac Plans
B. Logistics - "Beans, Bullets, & Batteries": Chow, Ammo, Supply, Comms, Pyro, etc.

V. Command/Signal

A. Location of Key Leaders
B. Succession of Command

TIME HACK.

Since Marines and soldiers work in small teams, it is important that each member know and understand the order in its entirety so as to be aware of which parts of the order apply directly to them and the subordinate unit to which they belong without being exceedingly aware of minute details provided for general situational awareness.

[edit] Variants

The British Army also uses SMEAC as a template for most types of briefings; the British version differs only slightly from the American one in that "Mission" - a brief and simple summary of what needs to be done, covered in detail in "Execution" - is given twice for emphasis. A and C are also different in the British version, standing for "Any Questions?" and "Check Understanding" respectively. "Any Questions" is to allow the members of the unit to cover any matters they feel may have been missed out, and "Check Understanding" is an opportunity for the person giving the briefing to ask a series of questions regarding key points of the activity to be undertaken, often following the "Pose, Pause, Pounce" method of questioning.