At which level of war does the focus shift to winning campaigns?

The focus on winning campaigns occurs at the operational level of war. This level serves as a bridge between tactical actions and strategic objectives. At the operational level, commanders devise plans and conduct operations that synchronize tactics across multiple engagements and battles, ultimately aiming to achieve broader campaign objectives.

The operational level encompasses the planning and direction of large formations, the allocation of resources, and the coordination of actions across various theaters of conflict. It emphasizes the integration of efforts over time and space to achieve decisive outcomes, rather than just focusing on immediate tactical victories.

In contrast, the tactical level primarily concerns itself with the execution of individual battles and engagements through the direct application of forces. The strategic level, on the other hand, addresses the overarching goals of a nation or coalition and involves long-term planning and policy decisions. The concept of a "contingency level" is not typically recognized in standard definitions of military strategy, as it does not correspond to a widely accepted tier of warfare.

Thus, the operational level is where the campaign-winning mentality is cultivated, as it includes the coordination of multiple campaigns that directly support national or strategic objectives.