SITUATION

What are we dealing with?

Reference: TC 3-21.76 (Ranger Handbook)

What to consider

before we execute a mission we have to understand what we are facing and what the current situation is. This allows us to plan better in the later parts of the OPORD and take into account any limiting factors and advantages we have. During the Execution paragpagh you could say that it will take you an hour to reach to objective, but if you take the rugged terrain into account that one briefs in the situation paragraph then that changes to 3 hours or more.

Knowing your environment is a key part of success, the more uncertainty you cut out, the better the chances of a successful mission.

The situation paragraph takes into account terrain, weather, enemy forces, civilian population, and friendly forces.

Terrain

Terrain can have huge impact on your mission, For example: think of rugged or mountainous terrain and how that can affect your unit. Use the OAKOC format do gauge what impact terrain will have on the mission.

O - Observation and Fields of Fire

How does terrain affect where you can use your weapons and how? High ground can give you an advantage for your machine guns. Is there any dense vegetation that can limit your sight of view? Is the area open enough to where you can send an FO and have a clear sight of the objective?

A - Avenues of Approach

What is the best way to reach your objective? Keep in mind speed to get there quicker, but also concealment so you don’t get compromised. For example: Maybe there are hard ball roads near the objective that you can use. Perhaps there are trails that you can use for better concealment.

K - Key Terrain

Areas that can help your mission. Ideally, you want to control these areas to make your life easier. For example: high ground for good observation and comms. Or flat terrain that can be used as LZ’s if medical evacuation is required.

O - Obstacles

Terrain features that can get in your way. Rivers and creeks can block your path. Hills and mountains can slow you down. Dense vegetation can make it hard to move your unit around. Will any of this terrain affect your comms? Remember that radios need a direct line of sight for clear communication.

C - Cover and Concealment

Cover hides you and stops bullets, concealment hides you but won’t stop bullets. both are important For example: Dense vegetation can be helpful in that it conceals your movements. Or you can find some rugged terrain that can act as a natural barrier against fires and bullets.

Weather

Weather can have a huge impact on the mission. Ideally you don’t want it to be to hot or too cold. And if it is, then you want to plan around that. Maybe it’s raining or damp and that can make trails slippery meaning you’d have to move slower to avoid injuries. Or there is a thick layer of Fog limiting your view but at the same time giving you concealment. Or perhaps it’s too hot and in that case you’d tell your unit to bring extra water and be on the lookout for heat casualties

Enemy Forces

What is the enemy composed of? What are they doing? What should be know about them before executing the mission? Knowing your enemy is key part in mission success as you don’t want to go in unprepared and be overwhelmed by a greater force. You should cover the enemy composition disposition and strength, recent activities, locations and capabilities along with their most likely course of action (MLCOA) and most dangerous corse of action (MDCOA).

Composition, Disposition and Strength

How are they composed? that is how are they structured? For example: Are they operating on the squad level? (6-8 Men) or a platoon level? (20-30 Men) Are they traveling by foot or are they on wheels? How do they look like? that is what uniform are they wearing? What is their level of training? are we dealing with insurgents or a trained military force? How about morale? low or high? and their strength level too.

Capabilities

What does the enemy have? What weapons will they use against you? They might be armed with M4 and M249 equivalents. They might have a mortar team attached. They could also have fires capabilities and can place IDF within 15 minutes. What about their comms, do they carry radios? Take all of this into account when planning your mission. The IDF part is important, this means you must be quick in your movements and not stay in one spot for a long time.

Recent Activities

What has the enemy been doing? Maybe they’ve been doing small scale attacks or they are preparing for a larger offensive. Knowing their activity gives you insight as to what they will do next. Where are they at? or where will they likely be at?

MLCOA

What is the enemy most likely to do? Maybe they focus on ambushes so that means avoid any open roads.

MDCOA

What is the most danger you can face in the mission? They might reconsolidate and come back with a greater force to overwhelm you. Or they call Helicopters and tanks to wipe out your platoon. Plan accordingly

Civilian Population

Are there any locals in the area? If so should we avoid them? You don’t want to get compromised by civilians in the area so it might be best to avoid them

Friendly Forces

What is the higher unit mission? It’s one level up so you would give the commanders mission and his intent. Include key tasks ane end state. Are there any adjacent units? For example you might have other platoons in your company operating to the west or east of your objective. Plan around that so you don’t end up with fratricide. And are there any attachments or detachments? For example: You might have 1 less squad in your platoon because they have been re tasked for another mission, or you have a sapper squad attached to your platoon so you can use them to breach any obstacles you come across.

Closing

With this one should have a better understanding of the AO and can use the information to better plan and prepare for they mission.