Order for Orders

Orders: Give and Take

Reference here is to orders from a commander to a unit of soldiers, and that unit can be from a single file to a regiment. The keystone word here is 'unit,' which the person issuing the command wishes to have operate as a single, cohesive entity. Got that? Cohesive!

To obtain the desired reaction of all members of the unit, commands must be given in a standard manner with fixed and universally understood words. Although a civilian trying to cope with an office meeting will wish to know six aspects of a request: who, how, what, where, when and why, the soldier in a file needs to know ONLY three of those (and best in this sequence):

Who

How

What

Click each for a synopsis of what is entailed...

Designates either the entire unit or that portion of the unit the officer or sergeant selects. That portion may be as small as a single soldier. If a portion of a unit is specified, then the rest of the unit is tacitly assured the command is not for them. For example: "First file by the right hand..."

Does not mean to instruct; all soldiers must know the moves. Instead this is to indicate a manner of proceeding or direction, as in "To your right hand..." On occasion, even the 'How' for an order may be unnecessary.

This is THE statement of what is required. Coming after 'Who' and 'How,' with all soldiers knowing by then which of them is to do in what manner, 'What' completes the command by telling the soldiers to do at that point the necessary action, as in "March On!"

For military purposes, the other three are unnecessary, superfluous, and an invitation to spontaneous discussion among soldiers:

Where

When

Why

Click each for a synopsis of what is entailed...

Where else but here? And to where is whenever the soldiers are given a subsequent command, like "Halt!"

NOW! Not later!

Not open for discussion on the field. PERIOD! This may be debated and bandied about only afterwards, like during supper or in the beer tent or while leisurely stretched out under the stars with a refreshing beverage in hand.

Sergeant Subtlelus says:

Commands are to be delivered succinctly, with resolve and without any cloud of doubt or uncertainty. Soldiers must always maintain their confidence in their leaders.