What do leaders analyze from higher headquarters to determine their unit's contribution to the mission?

The appropriate choice is the warning order (WARNORD) because it provides crucial preliminary information that outlines the pending operations and the intended actions of higher headquarters. Leaders utilize the WARNORD to ascertain their unit's specific tasks, objectives, and expected contributions to the upcoming mission. This order serves as a vital communication tool that alerts subordinate units to prepare for upcoming operations and enables them to align their resources and efforts accordingly.

A situation report primarily conveys the current status or conditions of an ongoing operation and may not specifically highlight future contributions or tasks related to an upcoming mission. Meanwhile, a mission briefing generally presents the complete details of a specific operation after planning is finalized, rather than focusing on the initial guidance for future operations. Lastly, an operational plan encompasses the comprehensive strategy for achieving mission objectives, but it is typically issued after an analysis of the WARNORD has taken place, thus serving a different purpose in the planning process.