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.