To given individual patrol members maximum time to prepare, the patrol leader should issue a WARNING ORDER to ALL members as soon as possible after the patrol order is received. The warning order should include the following:

A brief statement of the situation so patrol members will know what friendly and enemy units are doing.

The mission of the patrol, given exactly as it was received.

General instructions.

General instructions should include the following:

L The patrol's general or special organization; that is, assigning specific tasks to specific elements.

L The specified uniforms, including any camouflage and identification measures.

L The specific weapons, ammunition, and equipment.

L The individuals to accompany the patrol leader on reconnaissance and those individuals that are to supervise subcategories of preparation.

L Instructions for obtaining water, rations, weapons, ammunition, and equipment.

The chain of command. (In a patrol composed of personnel from different units, the patrol leader establishes a chain of command.)

The time schedule. (The time schedule includes mealtimes and the time, place, and uniform for receiving the patrol leader's order.)

COORDINATION

In general, coordination means the arrangements made by other units to cooperate in the mission of the patrol. Examples are as follows:

Friendly units in whose areas the patrol will operate must be informed so the patrol will not be endangered by fire from other friendly units.

To depart from or reenter a friendly area, the unit occupying that area may be required to provide guides to lead the patrol around obstacles, such as mines or wire.

Friendly units may be called on to give the patrol fire support. Fire support is fire delivered for the purpose of aiding another unit by doing the following:

Inflicting casualties on the enemy

Diverting the attention of the enemy from the patrol

Concealing the movements of the patrol by smoke

Providing illumination

Giving the patrol directional guidance

You may be required to establish coordination with other units yourself, or some or all of your coordination may be established by the command. In the latter case, you must check to ensure that nothing required has been overlooked.