An operation order is intended for a specific, relatively short operation.  An operation plan is designed for operations extending over a large geographic area and usually covering a considerable period of time.  A plan also is used to cover contingency, for example, an attack on a particular area.  It is prepared well in advance and specifies when it will become effective (on signal, time).  For our purpose we discuss the operation order. An operation order is composed of the heading, body, and ending, plus such annexes and appendices as the originator deems necessary. The heading shows the title of the issuing headquarters, name of the flagship or headquarters ashore, geographical location (or latitude and longitude) of the originator, security classification of the order, copy number, and date-time group.  In the absence of any other instruction, the date-time group is the effective time. The body of an operation order consists of a description of the task organization, five numbered paragraphs, and instructions for acknowledging.
