In which document types is the commander's guidance and intent often provided?

The commander's guidance and intent are typically communicated through documents that are designed to direct and inform operations effectively. Fragmentary orders (FRAGORDs) and operation orders (OPORDs) are specifically tailored for military operations and include critical information about the commander's objectives, desired end states, and the overall mission execution plan.

FRAGORDs serve as updates or modifications to existing operation orders, allowing commanders to provide timely adjustments based on the dynamic operational environment. Meanwhile, OPORDs outline the complete mission plan, detailing the who, what, when, where, and how of an operation, thus integrating the commander's intent into a structured format that units can follow.

In contrast, other document types such as Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) and standard operating procedures (SOPs) usually cover agreements between parties or standard practices but may not explicitly convey the immediate commander's guidance and intent in a military operational context. Deployment plans and alignment charts typically focus on logistics and the physical movement of forces rather than the strategic intent. Executive orders and legal briefs are formal documents pertaining to legal or administrative matters, rather than operational command and control. This makes option A the most appropriate choice for conveying a commander's guidance and intent in military operations.