Posted on Nov 4, 2015
Does anyone know the history of 5 paragraph OPORD?
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Anyone know the history? When did the US formally adopt this format?
Posted in these groups: 
Military History
Operations
Military History Operations
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 6
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MAJ (Join to see) SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
I found an research document at DTIC which includes the history of the 5 paragraph OPORD. Here is a quote to answer your question.
"The five paragraph field order has been used for decades to transmit critical information needed by US ground forces to coordinate movement, fires, and support. Its foundation lay in 19th century German military experiences and was introduced to the US military by Captain Eben Swift in 1897.1 The US order format has evolved throughout 20th century warfare with the aim of keeping pace with changes in weapons, tactics, and the tempo of modern combat."
http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a210966.pdf
I found an research document at DTIC which includes the history of the 5 paragraph OPORD. Here is a quote to answer your question.
"The five paragraph field order has been used for decades to transmit critical information needed by US ground forces to coordinate movement, fires, and support. Its foundation lay in 19th century German military experiences and was introduced to the US military by Captain Eben Swift in 1897.1 The US order format has evolved throughout 20th century warfare with the aim of keeping pace with changes in weapons, tactics, and the tempo of modern combat."
http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a210966.pdf
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COL Sam Russell
Fascinating. Thanks for the great answer and source. Love this quote:
"The order in the field is issued under peculiar conditions of emergency and inconvenience. It is received sometimes in the midst of great excitement and danger; perhaps it must be read in a rain storm where no shelter is near, or at night by a poor light. Every care must be taken to make it brief, in plain phrase and short sentence."
--Eben Swift, 1897.
"The order in the field is issued under peculiar conditions of emergency and inconvenience. It is received sometimes in the midst of great excitement and danger; perhaps it must be read in a rain storm where no shelter is near, or at night by a poor light. Every care must be taken to make it brief, in plain phrase and short sentence."
--Eben Swift, 1897.
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COL Sam Russell
Here's the original U.S. version from the same source that LTC Stephen Ford cites above from MAJ Matthew L. Smith's 1989 SAMS monograph.
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COL Vincent Stoneking
COL Sam Russell - "brief, in plain phrase and short sentence." Can we get an Amen? (I'll even forgive the lack of the Oxford Comma.)
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I think I came across what I thought of as the roots of the OPORD in the book "A Genius for War: The German Army and General Staff, 1807-1945." Very interesting read, also shows where the US (and most other militaries) formed their S-shops. Almost a carbon copy of the German model, who attained the model from the Prussian military.
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I found a reference in a Paper by Major Matthew L. Smith who researched the US 5 Paragraph order. However, I cannot verify the source or find collaborating information.
Major Smith attribution the origination to experiences in the German military of the 1800's. Which were introduced by Captain Eben Swift to the US military in 1897 which has matured over time.
Once again I only found this single reference and cannot verify sources.
Major Smith attribution the origination to experiences in the German military of the 1800's. Which were introduced by Captain Eben Swift to the US military in 1897 which has matured over time.
Once again I only found this single reference and cannot verify sources.
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