Commanders in the Marine Corps use a five-paragraph combat order recognized by all U.S. Armed Forces and NATO. This format ensures that your mission plan factors in all the relevant details, and that you can effectively deliver the information to your Marines. After delivering an order, you must be prepared to adapt quickly and respond as conditions evolve.

Decide, Communicate, Execute

As a commanding officer, your Marines will look to you for both guidance and orders. With every mission, it's your responsibility to plan a course of action, deliver it to your Marines and ensure they have the tools to accomplish the objective.

Learn from Experience

You will gain experience making decisions and delivering combat orders during tactical training exercises. You’ll learn to trust your training, and work with the senior enlisted Marines alongside you. Preparing and delivering orders throughout training will prepare you to deliver clear commands on any mission.