Warning Order / Fragmentary Order (WARNORD / FRAGORD)
Issue a warning order to start subordinate preparation, or a fragmentary order that changes an existing order, in the FM 5-0 five-paragraph format.
What this worksheet covers
Name, rank, and unit prefill from your service profile.
Heading
- Order type
- Order number
FM 5-0 example: "FRAGORD #1 TO OPORD 3411 (OPERATION DESERT DRAGON) (UNCLASSIFIED)".
- Issuing headquarters
- Place of issue
- Date-time group of signature
- Prepared by
- References
WARNORD: the higher headquarters' order and map sheets. FRAGORD: the order being modified.
- Time zone used throughout
- Task organization (initial, including attachments and detachments)
1. situation
- Situation (area, enemy, friendly, attachments and detachments) — or "No change"
2. mission
- Mission — or "No change"
3. execution
- aInitial commander's intent — or "No change"
- bConcept of operations (may be "to be determined" in an initial WARNORD) — or the changes
- cTasks to subordinate units (known at time of issue)
- dCoordinating instructions — initial timeline
Work backward from the time the mission starts: OPORD issue, rehearsals, PCC/PCI, final inspection, SP.
- dOther coordinating instructions (OPORD time and place, CCIR, rehearsals, special equipment)
4. sustainment
- Sustainment — known logistics, personnel, and medical preparation (or "No change")
5. command and signal
- Command and signal — changes to the existing order, or "No change"
Closing
- ACKNOWLEDGE / commander's last name and rank
- Annexes / distribution
How to fill out the Order format (FM 5-0, figs D-4 / D-5)
A WARNORD gives subordinates the mission, the timeline, and the tasks they can start now, before the full order is ready. A FRAGORD changes an order already issued; every paragraph either states the change or says "No change". When: WARNORD: right after you receive a mission and make your initial time analysis (TLP step 2), and again as information arrives. FRAGORD: whenever the situation changes an order in effect.
Step by step
- Pick the order type and number it (WARNING ORDER #1; FRAGORD #2 to OPORD 26-014).
- References: for a WARNORD, the higher order and maps; for a FRAGORD, the order being changed.
- Paragraph 1: what you know of the situation (WARNORD), or the change or "No change" (FRAGORD).
- Paragraph 2: the mission.
- Paragraph 3: initial intent, concept (may be "to be determined" in a first WARNORD), any known tasks, and coordinating instructions with the initial timeline.
- Paragraphs 4 and 5: known sustainment preparation and any command and signal changes, or "No change".
- Close with ACKNOWLEDGE and the commander's last name and rank.
What a strong one looks like
- Don't wait for more information to issue the first WARNORD. FM 5-0 says to issue the best WARNORD possible with what you have and update it.
- An initial WARNORD at battalion and below normally includes the mission or nature of the operation, the time and place of the OPORD, participating units, tasks not covered by SOP, and the timeline (FM 5-0, para 7-10).
- In a FRAGORD, say "No change" rather than leaving a paragraph out, so everyone knows it was considered.
Common mistakes
- A WARNORD with no timeline. The timeline is what lets subordinates plan.
- A FRAGORD that re-issues the whole order and buries the change.
- No acknowledgment instruction.