What type of guidance outlines the broad actions the force must take to achieve the end state?

The correct answer is strategic guidance. This type of guidance is focused on providing overarching direction and broad actions necessary for an organization, such as a military force, to achieve its overarching goals or end state. Strategic guidance establishes priorities, defines missions, and outlines the overall vision, serving as a foundation for more specific operational and tactical plans.

Operational guidance, while important, typically involves implementing strategies into more focused plans that deal with how to achieve objectives within a particular operation. Tactical guidance deals with the specifics of executing particular tasks or missions at a lower level, while contingency guidance is related to planning for unforeseen events. Therefore, strategic guidance is the most fitting choice as it encapsulates the broad actions necessary to drive the organization toward its ultimate objectives.