Military planning neophytes learn in mission-type orders or in mission command that the “in order to” lays at the heart of the commander’s intent and holds the key to mission success.

Commanders can no longer assume that audiences know what their force(s) mean by their actions or inactions.

The Joint force has no choice in providing messaging through their actions and inactions; but they do have a choice to provide messaging in a deliberate and purposeful way.

To achieve this, the commander should provide his or her initial commander’s message as an input to the mission analysis phase simultaneously with issuing the commander’s intent.

The author, LtCol Dianna DiToro, USMCR is the former commander of Marine Air Control Squadron 24 and is currently assigned to Marine Forces Cyber Command. In her civilian role, she is a senior advisor with Stellar Solutions, LLC.