JP 505(L) - Linking Guidance, End States, and Effects

Thesis: Strategic direction provides purpose and focus to the planning for employment of military force. As stated in Joint Publication 5-0, “Strategic Direction encompasses the processes and manner by which the President and Secretary of Defense (SecDef) provide strategic guidance to the joint force.” This strategic guidance provides long-term as well as intermediate or ancillary objectives. From the perspective of employing the military instrument of national power, this guidance should provide the purpose of military operations and “define what constitutes “victory or success (ends), allocate adequate forces and resources (means) to achieve strategic objectives. The operational approach (ways) of employing military capabilities to achieve ends is for the supported JFC to develop and propose.” (JP 5-0, III-7)

Based on strategic guidance, Combatant Commanders (CCDRs) determine the military end state, strategic military objectives, and the effects that define the role of military forces. Additionally, it sets a crucial foundation for establishing the conditions necessary for conflict termination.
 * 1) SOB:  Explain the importance of strategic guidance and the sources of guidance for campaign planning.
 * 2) SOB: Explain the importance of beginning with an end state and working backwards to develop a strategy that achieves effects to attain that end state during campaign planning.
 * 3) SOB: Explain the importance of determining conflict termination criteria prior to campaign planning.