Which Joint Operation Order is a planning directive that initiates the evaluation of military courses of action?

The correct choice is the Warning Order (WARNORD), as it serves as the initial planning directive that alerts subordinate commanders to begin evaluation and preparation of potential military courses of action. A WARNORD communicates essential details about an impending operation, enabling units to start their planning processes before a more detailed directive is issued.

The WARNORD typically includes information such as the mission's purpose, the timeline, and any immediate tasks that need to be addressed, thereby setting the stage for further operational planning. This is crucial in ensuring that all involved parties can rapidly develop viable military strategies in response to evolving situations.

In contrast, the Planning Order (PLANORD) is more detailed and typically follows the WARNORD, while the Execution Order (EXORD) directly initiates the execution of an operation, and the Deployment Order (DEPORD) directs the movement of forces to a location. Each of these directives serves a distinct role within the military planning process, but it is the WARNORD that specifically triggers the assessment of different courses of action first.