To frame a suitable field order you must make an estimate of the situation, culminating in a decision upon a definite plan of action. You must then actually draft or word the orders which will carry your decision into effect. THE LOGICAL WAY TO ESTIMATE THE SITUATION 1st. Consider exactly what you are to do, i.e., your mission as set forth in the orders or instructions under which you are acting or as deduced by you from your knowledge of the situation. 2d. Consider all available information of the enemy. What is his strength? How is he situated? What is he going to do? etc. 3d. Consider all conditions affecting your own troops. What advantages in numbers and position have you over the enemy? What is their morale? etc. 4th. Consider the terrain in so far as it affects the situation. 5th. Consider the various plans of action open to you and decide upon the one that will best enable you to accomplish your mission (carry out your task); that is to say, come to a decision. It is now necessary to express that decision in the form of an order as the quarterback did in giving the signal, 44--11--17--5. To enable the will of the commander to be quickly understood, and to secure prompt coöperation among his subordinates, field orders are required to follow a general form. Under the stress and strain of an engagement there are many causes of excitement. Unless we have trained ourselves to act along certain lines in issuing orders, we may forget some important considerations. We have known people of superb intelligence to do poorly before a large audience simply from lack of training and experience. CORRECT PROCEDURE IN GIVING THE MAIN PART OF A FIELD ORDER 1st. Give the information of the enemy and of our own supporting troops (i.e., those who may come to our assistance in case of need) to your subordinates that will give them a clear understanding of the problem and enable them intelligently to cooperate with you. 2d. Now state what you are going to do. That is to say, give your plan. 3d. Next, how you are going to put that plan into effect. That is, the assignment of duties to each subordinate. 4th. Give instructions for the ammunition trains, stations for the slightly wounded, etc. 5th. State where you can be found or where messages may be sent. SOME GENERAL HINTS Clear and decisive orders are the logical result of definite and sure decisions. To guage[B] a man's caliber read his orders. You must not be hazy and indefinite in your order. You must be clear and definite. Be careful about your phrasing and expressions. An order should be like a cablegram: convey every idea but contain no unnecessary words. Don't break up the squads or platoons or the companies. Keep the tactical units together as much as possible.