2-25. Army operations typically focus on achieving the military end state that may include contributions to establishing nonmilitary conditions. Commanders explicitly describe the end state and its conditions for every operation. Otherwise, missions lack purpose, and operations lose focus. Successful commanders direct every operation toward a clearly defined, conclusive, and attainable end state (the objective). Most military operations require Army forces to consolidate gains to achieve a desired political end state, the exception being a punitive expedition.