Which operation directly accomplishes the mission and commander's intent?

• A. Decisive Operation
• B. Shaping operations
• C. Sustaining Operations
• D. Reserve

Answer: (A)

The key idea is how operations are used to achieve a mission: the decisive operation is the one that directly accomplishes the mission and fulfills the commander's intent. Shaping operations set up favorable conditions for the main effort—by fixing, disrupting, or weakening the enemy to pave the way—but they don’t themselves deliver the end state. Sustaining operations provide the necessary logistics and support to keep forces in the fight, ensuring tempo and endurance; they enable success but aren’t the action that achieves the mission on its own. A reserve is kept back to handle unexpected turns or opportunities, not to execute the mission itself. Because the decisive operation directly delivers the objective and completes the mission, it is the best answer.