The operational level of war
The doctrine defines campaigning as the middle level linking strategic aims to tactical battles. Operational art arranges a series of engagements in time and space to achieve strategic objectives.
MCDP 1-2 Campaigning
3 ideas
Center of gravity and sequencing
Campaign design identifies the enemy's center of gravity and sequences actions to reach it. Battles are chosen and ordered as means toward the campaign's decisive purpose, not as ends.
Ends, ways, and means alignment
Effective campaigning matches military objectives (ends), methods (ways), and available resources (means). Doctrine stresses keeping this triad coherent so tactical success serves the larger strategy.