The classification of military operations applies under which condition?

The classification of military operations primarily applies under the condition that their unauthorized disclosure could damage national security. This is due to the sensitive nature of military information, which typically involves strategies, capabilities, and intent that, if made public, could compromise the safety of operations and personnel, as well as give adversaries an advantage.

Government and military entities classify information to protect national interests, personnel, and operational effectiveness. When considering military operations, the potential for harm or risk due to the release of sensitive information into the public domain is a critical factor in determining the necessity for classification. Proper classification serves to safeguard details that, if disclosed, could lead to tactical disadvantages or endanger lives.

Other situations, such as poorly documented information or leaked non-sensitive information, do not inherently present the same level of risk to national security as classified military operations. Similarly, public announcements are often conducted in a controlled manner to prevent the release of sensitive information; thus, they typically do not require classification in the same way that operations do, especially when regarding information that has already been made available.