text: Chapter 2
  Lines of Operations and Lines of Effort
  If the art of war consists in bringing into action upon the decisive point of the theater of
  operations the greatest possible force, the choice of the line of operations, being the
  primary means of attaining this end, may be regarded as the fundamental idea in a good
  plan of a campaign.
  Antoine Henri de Jomini
  2-18. Lines of operations and lines of effort link objectives in time, space, and purpose to achieve end state
  conditions, as shown in figure 2-3. A line of operations links a base of operations to physical objectives that
  link to end state conditions. Lines of effort link tasks with goal-oriented objectives that focus toward
  establishing end state conditions. Commanders describe an operation along lines of operations, lines of effort,
  or a combination of both in their operational approach. Commanders may designate one line as decisive and
  others as shaping.
  Figure 2-3. Sample line of operations and line of effort
  2-19. A line of operations is a line that defines the directional orientation of a force in time and space in
  relation to the enemy and links the force with its base of operations and objectives (ADP 3-0). Lines of
  operations connect a series of intermediate objectives that lead to control of a geographic or force-oriented
  objective. Operations designed using lines of operations generally consist of a series of actions executed
  according to a well-defined sequence.
  2-20. Lines of operations can be categorized as interior and exterior. The choice of using interior or exterior
  lines supports a concept based on the length of movement and the supporting lines of sustainment.
  Commanders choose interior lines because lines of movement and sustainment in an enclosed area are shorter
  than those lines outside the enclosed area. Interior lines are lines on which a force operates when its operations
  diverge from a central point. Interior lines allow commanders to move quickly against enemy forces along
  shorter lines of operations.
  2-21. Exterior lines are lines on which a force operates when its operations converge on enemy forces. This
  requires the attacking force to be stronger or more mobile than the enemy force. Exterior lines allow
  commanders to concentrate forces against multiple positions on the ground, thus presenting multiple
  dilemmas to the enemy force. Exterior lines facilitate seizing opportunities to encircle and destroy the weaker
  or less mobile enemy force. While commanders operating on interior lines have the opportunity to set the
  width of the battlefield, commanders operating on exterior lines have set the disposition of their forces to
  deploy them outside their boundaries.