Effective Military
Communication
Communication: The exchange of
thoughts, messages, or information, as
by speech, signals, or writing
A woman wearing what looks like a construction
worker’s clothes and carrying a putty knife, was
standing next to a black man in a $500 suit while
riding a bus.
They were talking in very loud voices. They were
both next to a woman talking to a man with a baby
in his lap. The red bus passed a yellow car before
stopping in front of a school.
The black man got off the bus.
Barriers to
Communication
• Physical Barriers
• Cultural Barriers
• Language Differences
• Format Errors
• Grammar and Spelling Mistakes
Military Writing
“Effective Army writing transmits a clear
message in a single, rapid reading, and is
generally free of errors in grammar, mechanics,
and usage.”
• AR 25-50: Preparing and Managing Correspondence
• DA PAM 600-67: Effective Writing for Army Leaders
Seven Rules of the Army
Writing Style
Rule 1: Put your main point up front (BLUF)
Rule 2: Write short paragraphs. No more than one inch deep or six
lines long
Rule 3: Write short staff papers (one to two pages long)
Rule 4: Use active voice
Rule 5: Use short, conventional words
Rule 6: Write short sentences (about 15 words average)
Rule 7: Be correct, be credible, be complete
ACTIVE/PASSIVE VOICE
ACTIVE - The subject of the sentence names the
actor
ACTIVE = DOER --- VERB --- RECEIVER
All qualifiers will zero their weapons before qualification.
PASSIVE - The subject of the sentence names
the receiver of the action.
PASSIVE = RECEIVER ---VERB --- DOER
All weapons will be zeroed before qualification.
ACTIVE VOICE IS MORE
EFFECTIVE BECAUSE …
It is a stronger form of expression because it
indicates the agent and shows the action.
It states the action in fewer words.
It prevents confusion about the actor. Use of “I”
and “We; the first person takes responsibility for
the action.
DISADVANTAGES OF USING
PASSIVE VOICE
Leaves critical information unstated
Evades responsibility
Increases length
HOW TO RECOGNIZE THE
PASSIVE VOICE
BE
AM
IS
ARE
WAS
WERE
BEING
BEEN
PAST PARTICIPLE
ENDING IN –ED OR
–EN
GIVEN
TAKEN
IMPLEMENTED
CONDUTED
ORDERED
HOW TO CORRECT
PASSIVE VOICE
Put the doer before the verb.
Appropriate clothing will BE WORN by all
personnel.
All personnel will wear appropriate clothing.
HOW TO CORRECT
PASSIVE VOICE
Drop part of the verb.
The soldier WAS TRANSFERRED to Ft
Bragg.
He transferred to Ft Bragg.
HOW TO CORRECT
PASSIVE VOICE
Change the verb.
Personnel ARE PROHIBITED from
smoking during refueling operations.
Personnel must not smoke during
refueling.
Military Briefs
Different Types of
Briefs
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Information
• Decision
• Mission
• Staff
Step 1:
Research The Topic (1 of 2)
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Obtain All Available Information
Write Detailed Notes
Organize Your Notes
Determine the Purpose of Your
Briefing
Step 1:
Research The Topic (2 of 2)
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Determine the Role of the Briefer
Determine Who the Audience Is
Determine the Setting
Determine the Time Constraints
Step 2:
Plan the Briefing
• Refine Your Thesis Statement
• Plan Your Major Parts
• Sort the Major Parts
• Write a Draft Introduction
• Write a Draft Conclusion
Step 3:
Deliver the Practice Briefing
Rehearse
Rehearse
Rehearse
Step 4:
Revise the Briefing
• Focus on Your Audience’s Perspective
• Validate Your Introduction
• Validate the Body of Your Introduction
• Validate Your Conclusion
• Review Your Style
• Revise As Necessary
Step 5:
Deliver the Final Briefing
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Be Prepared to Handle Audio-Visuals
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Develop a Method of Answering Questions
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Be Prepared to Handle any Problems
Which May Arise During Your Briefing
Information Brief
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Introduction Slide
Purpose Slide
Outline Slide
Main Point Slides
Summary Slide
Conclusion Slide
Information Brief
INTRODUCTION
Information Brief Title
Briefer’s Name
Information Brief
52nd Infantry Division (Mechanized)
CPT Hennessey
UNCLASSIFIED
Information Brief
PURPOSE
To inform COL ### about……..
• Clearly state the purpose of your brief.
• If your slide is done right, it can speak for itself.
• As a general rule don’t read the slides, however,
you must ensure the audience knows the purpose
of your brief.
Information Brief
OUTLINE
Main Point #1
Main Point #2
Main Point #3…….etc..
Summary
Questions
Conclusions
Information Brief
MAIN POINT
• Start with your first supporting point. It should
coincide with the first main point you showed on
your outline.
• Use bullets to highlight.
• Focus slide content to complement your briefing.
• Don’t overcrowd your slide. Use no more than 5 –
7 lines.
• Don’t forget to transition to the next slide. Develop
deliberate transitions to help your audience stay on
track with you. Simple example is – “Now that I’ve
told you about……let me show you….”
Information Brief
SUMMARY
Main Point #1
Main Point #2
Main Point #3
Etc….
• Summarize the major points of the
briefing; then ask for questions.
• Ensure that the audience knows that you
welcome their questions.
Information Brief
Conclusion
• Be Brief, Be Clear, Be Gone
• You must conclude. Conclusions may be
verbal. Some of the best are.
• You may have a conclusion slide. This could
be your most important slide – it’s what you
want your audience to remember about your
brief.
• This could be a famous or not-so-famous
quote or maybe even the bottom line of your
brief.
History of the 82nd Airborne
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Formed Aug. 25th 1917 at Camp Gordon, GA. Nicknamed “All Americans”
1918- Deployed to France against German Imperial Army in WWI
Demobilized after WWI, then reactivated in during WWII
1942- 82nd Infantry Div. became the 1st Airborne Div. in the US Army & redesignated 82nd Airborne Div.
1943- Sicily & Salerno, Italy
1944- Operation NEPTUNE: airborne invasion of Normandy
Operation OVERLORD (D-Day): assault on Nazi-occupied France
Operation MARKET-GARDEN: Holland
1983- Operation URGENT FURY: deployed to Caribbean
Operation JUST CAUSE: Panama
1991- Operation DESERT STORM: Iraq
1993- Jumped out of planes many times and got into lots of bar fights down in Fayetteville, NC
1995- Crazy soldier opened fire on PT formation at “O-dark thirty”. Had the snot beat out of him by some
SF soldiers looking for cover
1996- Bragged about how great they are, went downtown and got drunk
2002- Pounded some Taliban loosers into the nasty dirt
2003- Chilled out while 3rd ID kicked some ass and then went into Iraq after the shooting stopped
History of the 82nd Airborne
•
Formed Aug. 25th 1917 at Camp Gordon, GA. Nicknamed
“All Americans”
•
1918- Deployed to France against German Imperial Army in
WWI
•
Demobilized after WWI, then reactivated in during WWII
•
1942- 82nd Infantry Div. became the 1st Airborne Div. in the
US Army & redesignated 82nd Airborne Div.
•
1943- Sicily & Salerno, Italy
Histry of the 82nd Airborn
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Fromed Aug. 25th 1817 at Camp Gordon, GA. Nicknamed
“All Americans”. Then they spend some R&R and hung
out by the PX, pulled CQ or SDO waiting for the CG do do a
CIP.
•
1918- Deployed to Germany against France’s Imperial Army
in WWI
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Demobilized after WWIII, then reactivated in during WWII
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1942 - 83nd Infantry Div. became the 1st Airborne Div. in the
US Army & redesignated 82nd Airborne Div. They are hellacool!!
Information Brief
Equipment / Weapons Systems
• M1 Abrams Tank
• M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle
• M113 Armored Personnel Carrier
Information Brief
Briefing Content
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What is the Branch you are briefing
What is their function (What they do)
Where do they train (What Army Post)
What does the training consist of
What types of specific equipment do
they use
What would a 2LT do in that Branch
Would you want to be assigned to this
Branch