-They should be moderate and reasonable. Avoid excessive, unreasonable, and unmanageable measures.

-They should be responsive to force performance and accurately reflect changes related to joint force actions.

-They should be useful in detecting situational changes quickly enough to enable the commander to immediately and effectively respond. Conclusion

“The original means of strategy is victory – that is, tactical success; its ends, in the final analysis, are those objects which will lead directly to peace. The application of these means for these ends will also be attended by factors that will influence it to a greater or lesser degree.”

Carl Von Clausewitz – On War (p. 143)

Strategic objective, DES, and MOE are closely related. All deal with outcomes. Strategic objective is the clearly defined and attainable goal, the DES is the preferred post-hostilities conditions, and MOE is how leaders quantify military efforts. Political and military leaders must work closely together to define strategic objectives, desired end states, and measures of effectives. “The use of the military instrument of national power as a component of the National Security Strategy requires the development of military objectives. These objectives need to be coordinated with associated diplomatic, economic, and informational objectives. The military instrument often plays a supporting role.” (Joint Pub 0-2)

References

Gatchel, T. L. (2001) Operational Art and Theater-Level Decisions During the Falklands/Malvinas Conflict. The U. S. Naval War College. Newport, RI. p. 15

Howard, M. and Paret, P. (1976) Carl Von Clausewitz. On War. Princeton University Press. Princeton, NJ.

Joint Publication 0-2. (2001) Unified Action Armed Forces (UNAAF). Joint Chiefs of Staff. Washington, D. C. p. I-11

Joint Publication 1. (2000) Joint Warfare of the Armed Forces of the United States. Joint Chiefs of Staff. Washington, D. C. p. IV-3

Joint Publication 3-0. (2001) Doctrine for Joint Operations. Joint Chiefs of Staff. Washington, D. C. p. I-11.

Joint Publication 3-57. (2001) Joint Doctrine for Civil-Military Operations. Joint Chiefs of Staff. Washington, D. C. p. III-9 – III-11

Naval Warfare Publication 5-01. Naval Operational Planning (Revision A.) Department of the Navy, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. Washington, D. C. p. 4-5

Vego, M. (2000) Operational Warfare. Naval War College. Newport, RI. p. 637