reparation of a plan that is not to be issued as a directive as well
as to one that is to be so issued.

The various categories of directives customarily employed in our naval
service, and standard forms for these, are described hereinafter.

The essentials of a military directive which is designed to govern the
execution of a plan are:

(a) That it indicate the general plan for the common effort
of the entire force.

(b) That it organize the force with a view to the effective
accomplishment of this plan.

(c) That it assign tasks to the subdivisions of the force,
such that the accomplishment of these tasks will result in
the accomplishment of the plan adopted for the entire
force.

(d) That it make appropriate provision for coordination among
subdivisions, for logistics support, and for the
collection of information and the dissemination of
intelligence, that it state the conditions under which the
plan is to become effective; and that it indicate the
location of the commander during the period of execution.

Some of these essentials may have found their expression in previous
instructions, or may be unnecessary because of the state of mutual
understanding. On the other hand, the directive may include annexes in
the form of alternative and subsidiary plans, letters of instructions
(page 188), and other material designed to be of assistance in the
intelligent accomplishment of the assigned task.

In issuing a directive, whether written or oral, except such a
fragmentary order as has previously been described (page 184), a
commander has the following definite responsibilities:

(a) To ensure that subordinates understand the
situation,--therefore, to give them pertinent available
information.

(b) To set forth clearly the general plan to be carried out by
his entire force, as well as the tasks to be accomplished
by each subdivision of his force.

(c) To provide each of these subdivisions with adequate means
to accomplish its assigned task.

(d) To allow subordinate commanders appropriate discretion
within the limits of their assigned tasks, without,
however, sacrifice of the necessary coordination.

He will also bear in mind that a directive will best convey his will
and intent and will be most easily understood by his subordinates if
it i