A mission statement is composed of two parts: a task and its purpose.

1. This mission statement must include the answers to the "5 W's": Who, What, When, Where, and Why.
2. The "Why" provides the purpose and is the most important part of the statement because it informs subordinates of the reason the task must be accomplished.
3. As a team leader issuing an order to your Marines, the mission statement will normally be identical to the task statement issued to you by your squad leader.