What defines specific, measurable goals that guide military efforts?

The correct answer is strategic objectives, which define specific, measurable goals that guide military efforts. Strategic objectives are high-level goals that provide direction and focus for military operations. They are typically aligned with broader national or organizational goals and serve to ensure that all actions taken are cohesive and contribute to the overall mission.

These objectives are essential for assessing progress and determining success, as they come with specific criteria that can be measured over time. By having well-defined strategic objectives, military leaders can prioritize resources effectively, allocate efforts appropriately, and adjust strategies as necessary to meet the overarching aims of the campaign or operation.

Tactical plans, while important, are generally more focused on the execution of specific operations and do not encapsulate the broader goals in the same way that strategic objectives do. Operational directives provide guidance for executing strategies but may lack the specificity and measurability characteristic of strategic objectives. Mission parameters establish the boundaries and requirements for a specific mission but do not represent the overarching goals necessary for guiding military efforts.