ABSTRACT
The operational idea is the very heart of a plan for a maritime campaign or major naval operation. The operational idea should be developed in a rudimentary form during the operational commander's estimate of the situation and then expanded and refined during the planning of a maritime campaign or major naval operation. The operational idea should ensure the decisive employment of one's forces by attacking the enemy's center of gravity. An operational idea should provide for the application of the selected principles of war. A sound operational idea should assign adequate forces for defense and protection of the friendly center of gravity. An operational idea for a maritime campaign or major naval operation should normally contain the order or sequence in which the intermediate objectives should be accomplished. A sound operational idea should include one or more sequels—the action by one's naval forces after a given intermediate objective was accomplished.
