34 SECTION 8 : OPERATIONAL READINESS AND EFFECTIVENESS “The sword drawn to prevent the drawing of swords���. – Samuel Purchas, Purchas His Pilgrimage, 1612. 3.16 Operational readiness is the state of preparedness of an organisation to perform the mission for which it is organised or designed. Military effectiveness is the standard by which the Army, from the platoon to the highest levels, is judged in peace and war. The efficiency with which operational readiness and effectiveness is achieved also needs to be optimised to ensure availability of maximum possible combat power when and where required. The level of operational readiness and effectiveness of a force has a major bearing on its ability to launch and successfully conduct operations. Ensuring operational readiness and effectiveness is a command responsibility.