Which of the following orders should you issue directly after receiving an order from higher?

Issuing a warning order immediately after receiving an order from higher is essential in tactical planning. A warning order serves as a preliminary notification that communicates to your subordinates essential details about an upcoming operation. It informs them that a mission is imminent and prepares them for further instructions. This order provides initial guidance, allowing units to start preparing for action while the details are still being finalized.

In a military context, a warning order is particularly valuable because it aids in shifting focus and fostering readiness among troops without delaying the operational tempo. It is a way to signal that an operation is forthcoming and ensures that units can effectively mobilize and allocate resources in anticipation of the upcoming mission, thus enhancing overall operational effectiveness and efficiency.

This proactive approach helps mitigate surprises and maintains momentum in the planning process. In contrast, the other options—operations orders, execution orders, and fragmentary orders—are typically issued after more detailed planning has been conducted and may not provide the immediate preparedness that a warning order facilitates.