9 Dec. 28, 8-15 p. m.
The Distribution of Troops.—“The distribution of troops shows the tactical components into which a command is divided (advance guard, main body, etc.) and the troops assigned to each. It is generally used in march orders and in the first field order applying to a command newly created or organized. In other cases it is usually more convenient to name the troops in the body of the order, where their duties are prescribed.
When a ‘distribution’ is used, it is headed ‘Troops,’ and in written or printed orders is placed on the left of The Body, occupying about one-third of the page. The tactical components are marked with lettered subheads (a), (b), etc., the troops listed under each performing the task prescribed in the similarly marked paragraph of the body of the order.
When orders are dictated or sent by wire or signals, the distribution of troops (if used) is given immediately after paragraph 2, without number.”[10] In orders for a regiment and smaller bodies the Distribution of Troops is usually omitted.
The Distribution of Troops in a field order would appear thus:
Troops.
(a) Independent Cavalry:
Col. Adams.
1st & 2d Sqs. 1st Cav.
(less one troop)
(b) Advance Guard:
Col. Byron.
1st Inf., 1st Cav.,
Btry. B, 5th F. A.
Det. Co. A, Engrs.
Det. Amb. Co. No. 1.
(c) Main Body, in order of march:
1st Bn, 2d Inf.
1st Bn, 5th F. A.
(less 1 btry).
1st Brig. (less 1st Inf. and
1st Bn. 2d Inf.).
4th Inf.
Co. A, Engrs. (less det.).
Amb. Co. No. 1 (less det.).
1st F. Hosp.
(d) Signal Troops:
Lieut. Dash.
1 plat., Co. A.
The Body.—The Body, of course, is the main part of the order. It contains the information and instructions for the command. It is to this part that Buddecke refers when he says: “The order, which is to transform decision into action, is of the utmost importance.”
The Sentence and the Paragraph, then, should be perfectly constructed. Each one of those elements should be tested to see that it is unified, coherent, and emphatic. The examples herein given, or any set phrasing, should never be imitated. Every leader must compose his own words, his own decision. He must give to his subordinates the language that best suits the particular occasion. Otherwise there will be no unity of structure and little likelihood of unity of action. Every military situation is a a law unto itself, and the language of the field order should fit that law.
Nevertheless there are certain aids, as we shall see, in composing the Body. The topic of each paragraph is to be found in our Regulations. We must see that nothing enters the paragraph or sub-paragraph but that which belongs in the topic assigned. We must see, also, that all of the matter belonging in a paragraph is placed there, and that every sentence in the paragraph is free from violations of Unity, Coherence, and Emphasis.