Which statement correctly contrasts OPORD and FRAGO?

Which statement correctly contrasts OPORD and FRAGO?

• A. FRAGO communicates a new operation; OPORD modifies an existing order.
• B. OPORD communicates only changes to an operation; FRAGO terminates an operation.
• C. OPORD communicates a new or continuing operation; FRAGO modifies an existing order due to changes.
• D. FRAGO is for major campaigns; OPORD is for routine updates.

Answer: (C)

At the heart of this is how orders are used to start and adjust operations. An OPORD is the full plan issued to begin a new operation or to continue a current operation under the assigned intent and tasks. It lays out the objective, concept of operations, and specific tasks so units can execute from the start. A FRAGO, on the other hand, is a fragmentary order issued to modify the existing plan because something has changed. It highlights only the changes—time, scope, tasks, or conditions—while the rest of the original order remains in effect. So the correct statement says that an OPORD communicates a new or continuing operation, and a FRAGO modifies an existing order due to changes. The idea is that FRAGO is about adapting the plan on the fly, not starting something new or ending it. The other options mix up the roles—FRAGO isn’t used to initiate a new operation, it doesn’t terminate an operation, and the distinction isn’t about major campaigns versus routine updates.

At the heart of this is how orders are used to start and adjust operations. An OPORD is the full plan issued to begin a new operation or to continue a current operation under the assigned intent and tasks. It lays out the objective, concept of operations, and specific tasks so units can execute from the start. A FRAGO, on the other hand, is a fragmentary order issued to modify the existing plan because something has changed. It highlights only the changes—time, scope, tasks, or conditions—while the rest of the original order remains in effect.

So the correct statement says that an OPORD communicates a new or continuing operation, and a FRAGO modifies an existing order due to changes. The idea is that FRAGO is about adapting the plan on the fly, not starting something new or ending it. The other options mix up the roles—FRAGO isn’t used to initiate a new operation, it doesn’t terminate an operation, and the distinction isn’t about major campaigns versus routine updates.