Question: The two major categories of planning

Answer: Force Planning

Operational Planning

Question: Operational Order

Answer: This is an order or directive issued by the command to subordinate commanders/Marines for the purpose of effecting the coordinated execution of an operation. This is normally a formal document. This can be further broken down into either an operational plan or OPLAN or an operational order or OPORD.

Question: Fragmentary Order

Answer: This is an abbreviated order which comes from the original operations order.

Question: Warning Order

Answer: This order is a preliminary notice to the subordinate commanders and Marines of the operation’s order or plan to follow. It is designed to give those Marines and leaders time to execute routine tasks in preparation for an upcoming operation.

Question: Define Planning

Answer: Planning as defined by MCDP 5 is the art and science of envisioning a desired future and laying out effective ways of bringing it about.

Question: What is the generic planning process

Answer: Assess the Situation, Establish Goals and Objectives, Conceptualize a Course of Action, Detail the Course of Action, Evaluate a Course of Action, Issue an Order/ Implement the Plan.

Question: Define top-down planning

Answer: Top-down planning is defined as the commander driving the planning process from start to finish.

Question: Define single-battle concept

Answer: Single-battle concept is defined as viewing everything both inside and outside the area of operations as having an effect on one another.

Question: Define integrated planning

Answer: Integrated planning is defined as having a disciplined approach to planning through coordinated actions with all primary and subordinate units involved.

Question: Define conceptual planning

Answer: Conceptual planning is often considered the ‘highest’ level of planning. Its purpose is to establish aims, objectives, and intentions.