***Mods, I recently sent this information to several people who requested it in the 'overview of tests @ OCS' thread. I think others could benefit from it as well, any chance of making it a sticky in the Marine OCS forum?
I've attached various files conatining information on the op order skeleton.
The first file, titled "Blank Skeleton #1", was the format used by the MECEP Marines when I was in ROTC and is one version of a blank skeleton you can use.
The second file, titled "Skeleton #1 with Notes", is the same skeleton although I've written in explanations of the abreviations and what some of them mean.
The third file, titled "Skeleton #1 with order", is what your skeleton would look like after you've written your Squad order from the Platoon commander's order. Obviously you'll want to abbreviate more when writing your order down as time is an issue, but I wrote it out so you could see what I was putting down.
The fourth file, titled "Squad Leader Order", is how you should sound when issuing the order to your fire teams. Compare this with the previous file to see how they interact. It will also sound similiar to the order you are issued from the platoon commander, but you will learn more about that at OCS, now it's just important you get a basic understanding of the skeleton itself.
The fifth file, titled "Skeleton Explanation", is just some extra material that briefly describes the differences between the Platoon Commander's order and your Squad Leader's order.
Finally, the sixth file, titled "My OCS Skeleton", was the format I used at OCS. I based it off of a format given to me by my OSO.
You can look at both formats and decide what's best for you. The key to success with this is being comfortable enough with your format and abbreviations to be able to write things down quickly and be able to understand what you wrote and properly give an order from that. You won't be given a lot of time so familiarity is key. Practice writing your skeleton until you can do one from memory in case you need to make one on the fly, and you will also need to be able to write one out for the exam. I would suggest taking some blank paper and self laminating sticky sheets with you, so that if you find a way you like better you can create a new skeleton and laminate it there to use in the field. Clear as mud?
I've attached various files conatining information on the op order skeleton.
The first file, titled "Blank Skeleton #1", was the format used by the MECEP Marines when I was in ROTC and is one version of a blank skeleton you can use.
The second file, titled "Skeleton #1 with Notes", is the same skeleton although I've written in explanations of the abreviations and what some of them mean.
The third file, titled "Skeleton #1 with order", is what your skeleton would look like after you've written your Squad order from the Platoon commander's order. Obviously you'll want to abbreviate more when writing your order down as time is an issue, but I wrote it out so you could see what I was putting down.
The fourth file, titled "Squad Leader Order", is how you should sound when issuing the order to your fire teams. Compare this with the previous file to see how they interact. It will also sound similiar to the order you are issued from the platoon commander, but you will learn more about that at OCS, now it's just important you get a basic understanding of the skeleton itself.
The fifth file, titled "Skeleton Explanation", is just some extra material that briefly describes the differences between the Platoon Commander's order and your Squad Leader's order.
Finally, the sixth file, titled "My OCS Skeleton", was the format I used at OCS. I based it off of a format given to me by my OSO.
You can look at both formats and decide what's best for you. The key to success with this is being comfortable enough with your format and abbreviations to be able to write things down quickly and be able to understand what you wrote and properly give an order from that. You won't be given a lot of time so familiarity is key. Practice writing your skeleton until you can do one from memory in case you need to make one on the fly, and you will also need to be able to write one out for the exam. I would suggest taking some blank paper and self laminating sticky sheets with you, so that if you find a way you like better you can create a new skeleton and laminate it there to use in the field. Clear as mud?
And I did have the DRAW-D in there. I thought that was the same as the Enemies Most Probable Course Of Action, but I guess like everything else with the order it gets way more in depth at TBS.
:icon_rage :icon_cryi :censored_ :drunk_125
