What is operational approach?

• A. A blueprint for personnel evaluation and promotion
• B. Broadly describes when, where, and how the commander intends to employ combat power to accomplish the mission
• C. A detailed tactical order for every unit
• D. A strictly logistical framework

Answer: (B)

The operational approach is the high-level plan that describes when, where, and how the commander intends to employ combat power to accomplish the mission. It ties together strategic objectives with the sequencing, tempo, and alignment of actions across the area of operations, showing how forces will be used in time and space to create decisive effects. This guidance helps shape planning and the development of orders without prescribing every detail for individual units or getting into pure logistics specifics. It’s not about personnel evaluation or promotion, nor a strictly logistical framework. So, the description that explains broad deployment and synchronization of combat power to achieve the mission is the best fit.