1. Military Briefings

2. Terminal Learning Objective
Action:
Conduct an Information Briefing
Conditions:
Given a task to provide an information briefing to a superior officer in a classroom setting, an assigned presentation time, materials to research the assigned topic, student handout, writing materials, a standard collegiate dictionary, materials for delivery aids (charts, viewgraphs, handouts, or slide projectors) appropriate for the task and purpose, briefing text or notes, and a requirement to wear the appropriate military dress.
Standard:
The briefing must meet the standards as set forth in Appendix B4.

3. References Number Title Date Para no. Additional information FM 101-5
Staff Organization & Operations
31 May 97
App. E.
None

4. Administrative Notes SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS NONE RISK ASSESSMENT LOW
ENVIRON. CONSIDERATIONS NONE
EVALUATION YES

5. Sooner or later ….
you will be measured largely by how well you communicate verbally. Your task may be to provide an information briefing or a decision briefing. It doesn't matter how technically or tactically proficient you are. If you cannot communicate, you will not be successful on or off the battlefield.

6. Enabling Learning Objective 1
Action:
Determine the 4 types of Military Briefings
Conditions:
Classroom Instruction
Standards:
FM , Staff Organization & Operations

7. 4 Types of Military Briefings
Information Briefing
to inform
Decision Briefing
to obtain a decision
Mission Briefing
the mission is…..
Staff Briefing
combined staff action for Cdr

8. Question Question: What is the definition of an Information Brief?
Answer: Is to inform. Never introduce a decision into an information brief.

9. Question Question: What is the definition of an Decision Brief?
Answer: Is to obtain a decision from the decision maker. You never make a decision. You may, however, recommend a course of action with the decision make will approve or disapprove.

10. Question Question: What is the definition of an Mission Brief?
Answer: Is to state what the mission is, the objective, intent and desired End State.

11. Question Question: What is the definition of an Staff Brief?
Answer: Is a combined staff action under the supervision of the unit’s Executive Officer. Staff briefing are used for many purposes. Namely, to inform the Commander what his/her unit is or is not doing and to ask for command guidance, as needed.

12. Enabling Learning Objective 2
Action:
Conduct an Information Briefing
Conditions:
Given a scenario to provide an information briefing to a superior officer in a classroom setting, a specified briefing time, and access to student materials and necessary references.
Standards:
Correctly identify five strengths and five weaknesses in an information briefing.

13. Which Briefing format will we focus on?
Information Briefing
to inform
Decision Briefing
to obtain a decision
Mission Briefing
the mission is…..
Staff Briefing
combined staff action for Cdr

14. Characteristics Is to inform your listener. Deals primarily with facts
To make the audience better informed
Does not include recommendations in the conclusion.
Present only that background material that is essential
An information briefing forms an essential part of the other type of briefings.

15. 5 Steps in the Briefing Process
Research the topic
Plan your briefing
Deliver a practice briefing
Revise you briefing
Deliver the final briefing

16. STEP 1: Research the Topic
Obtain all available information
Write detailed notes
Organize your notes
Determine the purpose of the brief
Determine the role of the briefer
Determine who the audience is
Determine the setting
Determine the time constraints
What is the requirement?
What is my role?
Who is my audience?
What’s the setting?
What’s the timing?

17. Step 2: Plan your brief Refine the thesis statement
Plan the major parts
Sort the major parts
Plan the minor parts
Write a draft introduction
Write a draft conclusion
Organize in a manner which allows the listener to grasp the speaker's thoughts the first time he/she hears it.
must be direct and concise
Planning Goal: to have an outline that includes your thesis statement, major and minor parts, verbal supports, illustrations, transitions and use the briefing setting to your advantage

18. Step 3: Practice Brief Rehearse
Use a murder board
You might find that you need to work on:
voice
enunciation
rate of speech
body language
Gestures
poise
movement
visuals aids
Use a murder board
What factors might you learn from a murder board about your brief?
voice
enunciation
rate of speech
body language
Gestures
poise
movement
visuals aids

19. Step 4: Revise your Brief
Focus on your audience’s perspective
Validate your introduction
Validate the body of your presentation
Validate your conclusion
Review your style
Revise as necessary and rehearse again
Repeat as often as necessary
Identify what went well during practice.
Identify what went not-so-well during practice.
If something is identified that does not support your brief, delete it.
Make revision and rehearse again. Repeat as often as necessary.

20. Step 5: Deliver the Brief
Be prepared to handle audio-visual if used
Develop a method of answering questions
Be prepared to handle Murphy

21. Briefing Tips – Visual Aids
Should be
simple
neat
legible
illustrates key points

22. Briefing Tips – Staff Officer’s Guide
Use conventional capitalization
Use bullet comments
Don’t crowd
Be consistent
Font size and style
Parallel construction
Contrasting colors
Graphics and animation relative to topic
Focus (don’t distract)

23. Briefing Tips – Computer Generated
Use contrasting colors
Don’t overcrowd
Test under actual conditions
Slide content should complement the briefing

24. Briefing Tips - VGTs Use a template for local production
Use contrasting colors
Don’t overcrowd
Develop a technique for changing VGTs

25. Briefing Tips – Video /CD
Ensure audio/video quality
Preview on-site for viewing clarity
Know how to operate the device

26. Briefing Tips – Desk Side
Ensure readability
Prepare “talking notes” on reverse
Learn to set up and use the device
Insure readability
Prepare “talking notes” on reverse
Learn to set up and use the device

27. Check on Learning: ELO #2
Question: What are the 5 steps in the briefing process?
Answer:
Research the topic
Plan your briefing
Deliver a practice briefing
Revise you briefing
Deliver the final briefing

28. Check on Learning: ELO #2
Question: What is the definition of an Information Brief?
Answer: Is to inform. Never introduce a decision into an information brief.

29. Enabling Learning Objective 3
Action:
Information Brief Format
Conditions:
Given a scenario to provide an information briefing to a superior officer in a classroom setting, a specified briefing time, and access to student materials and necessary references.
Standards:
TSP 158-G-0020, Appendix B

30. Information Brief Format
Introduction
Greeting
Purpose
Procedure
Body
Organization
Plan for effective, smoothly executed transitions
Use visual aids effectively
Conclusion
Ask for questions
Concluding statement
Announce next briefer, if appropriate

31. Enabling Learning Objective 4
Action:
Critique an Information Briefing
Conditions:
Given a scenario to provide an information briefing to a superior officer in a classroom setting, a specified briefing time, and access to student materials and necessary references.
Standards:
Correctly identify evaluation criteria

32. Presentation Evaluation
Divided into 4 sections
- Introduction
- Body of Presentation
- Conclusion
- Overall comments

33. Introduction
(a) Attention Step
(b) Thesis statement
(c) Main Points

34. Body of Presentation (a) Assumptions (b) Support (c) Analysis
(d) Transitions
(e) Visual Aids

35. Conclusion
Did the speaker review the ideas and relationships of his / her major points and conclude with the thesis statement.
Did the speaker introduce new material in the conclusion?

36. Overall Comments Did the speaker convince you?
What made this a good speech?
What distracted you?
What other problems did you see?

37. Review Appendix D
See handout: Evaluating Presentations

38. Check on Learning: ELO #4
Question: What are the 4 evaluation sections?
Answer:
- Introduction
- Body of Presentation
- Conclusion
- Overall comments

39. Enabling Learning Objective 5
Action:
Prepare an Information Briefing
Conditions:
Given a scenario to provide an information briefing to a superior officer in a classroom setting, a specified briefing time, and access to student materials and necessary references.
Standards:
Correctly complete all steps in preparation for a briefing to include research, plan, draft, revision and proof.

40. Practical Exercise Prepare an information briefing
Rehearses information briefing
Topic: Any topic desired
Time limit: 4-6 minutes
Evaluations: by students
Hint: use your imagination

41. Summary 4 types of Military Briefings Conduct an Information Briefing
Information Brief Format
Critique an Information Briefing
Prepare an Information Briefing

42. Conclusion
Huah!
Being able to effectively give an Information brief in the proper format is an invaluable tool that be mastered as a young officer