Military Communication Skills Part 1

Overview: Military Communication Skills Seven Steps to Effective Communication Talking Paper, Bullet Background Paper & Memorandum for Record Electronic Communication Briefings

Military Communication Skills Time well-spent in preparing for any type of writing or briefing pays big dividend$. You’ll feel CONFIDENT when speaking. Your message will have CREDIBILITY. The 7 steps for effective communication offers you CONFIDENCE and CREDIBILITY!

Overview: Military Communication Skills Seven Steps to Effective Communication Talking Paper, Bullet Background Paper & Memorandum for Record Electronic Communication Briefings

Seven Steps Analyze your purpose and audience Purpose? Audience? What will make it easy for your audience to understand? Be inclusive (use words meaningful, respectful) Ex: I’m looking for a committee chairman for the December food drive… use “chairperson”

Seven Steps 2. Research your topic Sources? Personal bias? Other perspectives to study?

Seven Steps 3. Support your ideas Cite Sources Offer Evidence (definitions, examples, statistics, basic assumptions, explanation) Use Logical, Rational Arguments (T&Q pg.42-53) All humans are mortal. Socrates is human. Therefore, Socrates is mortal.

Seven Steps 4. Organize and outline Outline your main ideas Pick your organizing pattern: TOPICAL COMPARISON-CONTRAST CHRONOLOGICAL SEQUENTIAL SPATIAL PROBLEM-SOLUTION REASON/LOGIC CAUSE-EFFECT PRO-CON

Seven Steps Draft Written: Intro-Body-Conclusion Briefing Notes/Slides: Overview-Body-Summary Grammar Writing Mechanics Spelling Jargon √ Wordiness Keep it simple!

Seven Steps 6. Edit Proof-Redo…Proof- Redo…Proof- Redo…Proof-Redo Do your own edit first…w/FRESH eyes! Find another set of eyes! “Be one with your audience” Start w/the BIG PICTURE…then the details Proof-Redo…Proof- Redo…Proof- Redo…Proof-Redo (See T&Q, p 91)

Seven Steps 7. Fight for Feedback and Get Approval Clear purpose? Seek out another set of “eyes” Have feedback givers focus on: Clear purpose? Fits my audience? Feedback comes in 3 flavors: Necessary? Desirable? Unnecessary? For more information on the 7 Steps, see Ch 2-9 in your T&Q

Overview: Military Communication Skills Seven Steps to Effective Communication Talking Paper, Bullet Background Paper & Memorandum for Record Electronic Communication Briefings

NEW AIR FORCE LIEUTENANTS The Talking Paper Definition: a quick reference or outline for a program, problem, biography, or oral presentation. Flexible use! TALKING PAPER ON NEW AIR FORCE LIEUTENANTS - The new Lt has “potential energy” -- Source of fresh ideas -- Hopeful to make a difference - Lts need to learn the military system -- Appropriate channels -- Appropriate documentation Maj Cecil/HOLM CTR/CR/3-1017/agc/8 Mar 15 9 9

The Bullet Background Paper Definition: a paper that provides the background of a program, policy, problem or procedure. Simple format for complex issues . (T&Q, pp 226-227) BULLET BACKGROUND PAPER ON WRITING BULLET BACKGROUND PAPERS PURPOSE The purpose statement informs readers on both the purpose and main points of the paper. It may be a single sentence or a short paragraph in length. FORMAT Main ideas may be presented as headings (e.g. PURPOSE, DISCUSSION, FINDINGS, RECOMMENDATIONS) Secondary items follow with a single dash; tertiary and further subordinate items follow with multiple indented dashes CONCLUSION End with recommendations or conclusions that end the discussion. Maj Cecil/HOLM CTR/CR/3-1017/agc/8 Mar 15 9 9

The Memorandum for Record Definition: The MFR is less formal than the official memorandum but records important information, questions or actions quickly. There are several formats for the MFR depending on the time and space available. (T&Q, pp 190-191) 17 February 2014 MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD SUBJECT: The Memorandum for Record 1. The memorandum for record, commonly known as a memo for record, MR or MFR, has three forms: (a) the separate page memorandum, (b) the explanatory note, and © the compact note. The form used is determined by the purpose for the MR and the needs of the writer. The separate pate MR uses a modified signature block by using the organization abbreviation and office symbol rather than the duty title. Agnes G. Cecil AGNES G. CECIL ACSC/CSS 9 9