OPORD is best described as which of the following?

• A. Troops in Contact: Friendly ground forces receiving effective fire
• B. Operation Order: Directive issued by a commander to subordinate commanders for the purpose of effecting the coordinated execution of an op
• C. Terminal Guidance Operations: Provide terminal guidance to weapons or aircraft
• D. TGO: Terminal Guidance Operations

Answer: (B)

OPORD stands for Operation Order, the directive a commander issues to subordinate commanders to coordinate and execute an operation. It communicates what must be done, why it’s needed, who will do it, and how actions are synchronized, including tasks, responsibilities, and timing. That direct, planning-and-execution function makes it the best description of OPORD. The other terms describe different concepts: Troops in Contact is a status term indicating friendly forces under effective fire, not a planning directive; Terminal Guidance Operations refer to final guidance for weapons or aircraft, which is a different function than issuing a coordinated execution order.