In military terminology, what does “main effort” refer to?

The term "main effort" in military terminology refers to the primary point of focus for operations. This is the component of a military operation that is given the most resources and attention in order to achieve key objectives. By designating a main effort, military planners prioritize their actions and align their forces to concentrate on achieving the most critical objectives that will ultimately lead to success in the operation.

Focusing on the main effort allows for a coherent strategy where all supporting actions are coordinated towards the same goal, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the mission. It ensures that units operate in sync, using their strengths to foster a decisive advantage, while other supporting efforts complement and reinforce this primary focus.

Supporting logistics and personnel movements, distractions from primary objectives, and management of civilian impacts during operations all play roles in military operations, but they are secondary to the concept of the main effort. These elements support the main effort rather than serve as the primary focus themselves.