1. Military Communication Skills1 1

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

3. SOBs Cognitive Samples of Behavior:
Explain the seven steps to effective communication.
Describe guidance for electronic communication ( , voice mail, and telephone systems) in the Air Force.
Apply T&Q guidance for writing a bullet background paper, talking paper, and a memorandum for record.
Explain the steps required to prepare a military briefing.
Describe effective delivery techniques in a military briefing.
6. Use guidance to prepare and deliver a military briefing.

4. 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!

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

6. 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”

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

8. 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.

9. 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

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

11. 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)

12. 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

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

14. 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

15. 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 )
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

16. 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 )
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

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

18. Electronic Communication
“Netiquette” – rules for electronic communications network
Be clear and concise
Watch your tone – do not write in ALL CAPS!
Be selective about what you send (OPSEC)
Be selective about who gets the message
Check attachments and support material
Use proper format for official
For more information on Protocol, see T&Q Ch 12

19. Electronic Communication
Official example:
[Greeting],
Effective 29 Oct 13, all Air Force Doctrine Documents (AFDDs) have been rescinded and replaced by core doctrine volumes and doctrine annexes.
- Core doctrine is categorized into five volumes: Volume I, Basic Doctrine; Volume II, Leadership; Volume III, Command; Volume IV, Operations; and Volume V, Support
Each core doctrine volume is supported by one or more annexes.
For further information, go to
//SIGNED//
WILLIAM B. MITCHELL, Colonel, USAF
Director, Doctrine Development
LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education
Voice: DSN / Comm (334)
FAX: DSN / Comm (334)
Ex: Good morning Sir/Ma’am,
SIGNATURE BLOCK
Line 1: Name/Rank/Affiliation
Line 2: Job Title
Line 3: Location
Line 4: Phone
Line 5: Fax (if applicable)
Line 6: address
NOTE: Do not add slogans, quotes or other personalization to an official /social media signature block (T&Q, p. 139).

20. Electronic Communication Quiz
__1. Be polite and professional; be careful about humor and sarcasm.
__ 2. Often contains slang, doesn’t affect the AF (hopefully), and doesn’t need a signature block.
__ 3. Causing congestion on the network by sending inappropriate messages (e.g., chain letters) or excessive storage on a server.

21. Electronic Communication Quiz
__ 4. Don’t discuss controversial, official use only, classified, or privacy act info requiring special handling of documents.
__ 5. Read and delete unnecessary files daily; sign off the computer when you leave your work station.
__ 6. Get permission before using large mail groups; use “reply all” very carefully.
__ 7. Use includes communications the AF determines necessary in the interest of the Federal Gov’t.

22. Electronic Communication Quiz
__8. Use includes personal approved by the “agency designee.”
__ 9. Using someone else’s UserID or password w/o proper authority.
__ 10. Using for financial gain or copyrighted info without consent.

23. Electronic Communication Quiz
JUST FOR FUN 1.________ is a computer that responds to request for information from client computers. 2. Each base has a limited number of _________ which is the number of bits/sec that can be passed along a communication channel in a given period of time. 3. Writing with ALL CAPS is the version of ________rude use.

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

25. Briefings: Format (sample)
Title
Presenter
Overview
MP1
MP2
MP1
Support info
MP2
Support info
Support Info can include:
Graphs,
Pictures,
Quotes
Summary
MP1
MP2
PowerPoint slides are your note cards; they help your audience, too.

26. Briefings: Use of Transitions
T&Q, pp 70-73
Transitions (writing and speaking)
Help flow from one idea to next
Signal direction to audience
Internal transitions connect ideas
“First…next…finally”
External transitions connect main points, slides, or paragraphs
“Now that we’ve covered (MP1), let’s move on to (MP2).”

27. Briefings: Introduction
Greeting
“Good morning/afternoon Ma’am/Sir”
Intro self/subject
“I’m…and I’m going to talk about…”
Overview
“State main points (MPs)—what’s to come”
Title
Presenter
Overview
MP1
MP2

28. Briefings: The Body (MPs)
Support info
Sources
Present support info
Ideas
Definitions
Examples
Comparisons
Testimony
Visuals
Graphs
Pictures/clip art
Quotes
Props
Incorporate sources
MP2
Support info
Sources
Support Info can include:
Graphs,
Pictures,
Quotes

29. Briefings: Conclusion
Summary
State topic and MPs
Quick summary; don’t re-brief
Don’t add new info
Closure
“This concludes my briefing.”
“Are there any questions?”
Summary
MP1
MP2
Optional Closure Slide:
“Quote”
Any questions?
Remember: PowerPoint slides are your note cards; they help your audience, too.

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

31. “The trouble with talking too fast is you may say something you haven't thought of yet. ”
~Ann Landers