Effective Military Communication

Effective Military Effective Military CommunicationCommunication

Communication:Communication: The exchange of The exchange of thoughts, messages, or information, as thoughts, messages, or information, as by speech, signals, or writingby speech, signals, or writing

A woman wearing what looks like a construction A woman wearing what looks like a construction worker’s clothes and carrying a putty knife, was worker’s clothes and carrying a putty knife, was standing next to a black man in a $500 suit while standing next to a black man in a $500 suit while riding a bus. riding a bus.

They were talking in very loud voices. They were They were talking in very loud voices. They were both next to a woman talking to a man with a baby both next to a woman talking to a man with a baby in his lap. The red bus passed a yellow car before in his lap. The red bus passed a yellow car before stopping in front of a school. stopping in front of a school.

The black man got off the bus.The black man got off the bus.

• Physical BarriersPhysical Barriers

• Cultural BarriersCultural Barriers

• Language DifferencesLanguage Differences

• Format ErrorsFormat Errors

• Grammar and Spelling MistakesGrammar and Spelling Mistakes

Barriers to Barriers to CommunicationCommunication

Military WritingMilitary Writing

““Effective Army writing transmits a clear Effective Army writing transmits a clear message in a single, rapid reading, and is message in a single, rapid reading, and is generally free of errors in grammar, mechanics, generally free of errors in grammar, mechanics, and usage.”and usage.”

• AR 25-50: Preparing and Managing CorrespondenceAR 25-50: Preparing and Managing Correspondence

• DA PAM 600-67: Effective Writing for Army LeadersDA PAM 600-67: Effective Writing for Army Leaders

Seven Rules of the Army Seven Rules of the Army Writing StyleWriting Style

Rule 1:Rule 1: Put your main point up front (BLUF) Put your main point up front (BLUF)

Rule 2:Rule 2: Write short paragraphs. No more than one inch deep or six Write short paragraphs. No more than one inch deep or six lines longlines long

Rule 3:Rule 3: Write short staff papers (one to two pages long) Write short staff papers (one to two pages long)

Rule 4:Rule 4: Use active voice Use active voice

Rule 5:Rule 5: Use short, conventional words Use short, conventional words

Rule 6:Rule 6: Write short sentences (about 15 words average) Write short sentences (about 15 words average)

Rule 7:Rule 7: Be correct, be credible, be complete Be correct, be credible, be complete

ACTIVE/PASSIVE VOICEACTIVE/PASSIVE VOICE

ACTIVEACTIVE - The subject of the sentence names the - The subject of the sentence names the actoractor

ACTIVE = DOER --- VERB --- RECEIVERACTIVE = DOER --- VERB --- RECEIVER

All qualifiers will zero their weapons before qualification. All qualifiers will zero their weapons before qualification.

PASSIVEPASSIVE - The subject of the sentence names - The subject of the sentence names the receiver of the action.the receiver of the action.

PASSIVE = RECEIVER ---VERB --- DOERPASSIVE = RECEIVER ---VERB --- DOER

All weapons will be zeroed before qualification.All weapons will be zeroed before qualification.

ACTIVE VOICE IS MORE ACTIVE VOICE IS MORE EFFECTIVE BECAUSE …EFFECTIVE BECAUSE …

It is a stronger form of expression because it It is a stronger form of expression because it indicates the agent and shows the action.indicates the agent and shows the action.

It states the action in fewer words.It states the action in fewer words.

It prevents confusion about the actor. Use of “I” It prevents confusion about the actor. Use of “I” and “We; the first person takes responsibility for and “We; the first person takes responsibility for the action.the action.

DISADVANTAGES OF USING DISADVANTAGES OF USING PASSIVE VOICEPASSIVE VOICE

Leaves critical information unstatedLeaves critical information unstated

Evades responsibilityEvades responsibility

Increases lengthIncreases length

HOW TO RECOGNIZE THE HOW TO RECOGNIZE THE PASSIVE VOICEPASSIVE VOICE

BEBEAMAMISISAREAREWASWASWEREWEREBEINGBEINGBEENBEEN

PAST PARTICIPLEPAST PARTICIPLEENDING IN –ED OR ENDING IN –ED OR ––ENEN

GIVENGIVENTAKENTAKENIMPLEMENTEDIMPLEMENTEDCONDUTED CONDUTED ORDEREDORDERED

HOW TO CORRECTHOW TO CORRECTPASSIVE VOICEPASSIVE VOICE

Put the doer before the verb.Put the doer before the verb.

Appropriate clothing will Appropriate clothing will BE WORNBE WORN by all by all personnel.personnel.

All personnel will wear appropriate clothing.All personnel will wear appropriate clothing.

Drop part of the verb. Drop part of the verb.

The soldier The soldier WAS TRANSFERREDWAS TRANSFERRED to Ft to Ft Bragg.Bragg.

He transferred to Ft Bragg.He transferred to Ft Bragg.


Change the verb.Change the verb.

Personnel Personnel ARE PROHIBITEDARE PROHIBITED from from smoking during refueling operations.smoking during refueling operations.

Personnel must not smoke during Personnel must not smoke during refueling.refueling.


Military BriefsMilitary Briefs

Different Types of Different Types of BriefsBriefs

• InformationInformation• DecisionDecision• MissionMission• StaffStaff

Step 1:Step 1:Research The Topic Research The Topic (1 of 2)(1 of 2)

• Obtain All Available InformationObtain All Available Information• Write Detailed NotesWrite Detailed Notes• Organize Your NotesOrganize Your Notes• Determine the Purpose of Your Determine the Purpose of Your

BriefingBriefing

Step 1:Step 1:Research The Topic Research The Topic (2 of 2)(2 of 2)

• Determine the Role of the BrieferDetermine the Role of the Briefer• Determine Who the Audience IsDetermine Who the Audience Is• Determine the SettingDetermine the Setting• Determine the Time ConstraintsDetermine the Time Constraints

Step 2:Step 2:Plan the BriefingPlan the Briefing

• Refine Your Thesis StatementRefine Your Thesis Statement

• Plan Your Major PartsPlan Your Major Parts

• Sort the Major PartsSort the Major Parts

• Write a Draft IntroductionWrite a Draft Introduction

• Write a Draft ConclusionWrite a Draft Conclusion

Step 3:Step 3:Deliver the Practice BriefingDeliver the Practice Briefing

RehearseRehearse

RehearseRehearse

RehearseRehearse

Step 4:Step 4:Revise the BriefingRevise the Briefing

• Focus on Your Audience’s PerspectiveFocus on Your Audience’s Perspective

• Validate Your IntroductionValidate Your Introduction

• Validate the Body of Your IntroductionValidate the Body of Your Introduction

• Validate Your ConclusionValidate Your Conclusion

• Review Your StyleReview Your Style

• Revise As NecessaryRevise As Necessary

Step 5:Step 5:Deliver the Final BriefingDeliver the Final Briefing

• Be Prepared to Handle Audio-VisualsBe Prepared to Handle Audio-Visuals

• Develop a Method of Answering QuestionsDevelop a Method of Answering Questions

• Be Prepared to Handle any Problems Be Prepared to Handle any Problems Which May Arise During Your BriefingWhich May Arise During Your Briefing

Information BriefInformation Brief

1.1. Introduction SlideIntroduction Slide

2.2. Purpose SlidePurpose Slide

3.3. Outline SlideOutline Slide

4.4. Main Point SlidesMain Point Slides

5.5. Summary SlideSummary Slide

6.6. Conclusion SlideConclusion Slide


INTRODUCTION

Information Brief Title

Briefer’s Name


52nd Infantry Division (Mechanized)

UNCLASSIFIED

CPT Hennessey


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.


OUTLINE

Main Point #1Main Point #2Main Point #3…….etc..SummaryQuestionsConclusions


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….”


SUMMARY

Main Point #1Main Point #2Main Point #3Etc….

• Summarize the major points of the briefing; then ask for questions.

• Ensure that the audience knows that you welcome their questions.


• 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.

Conclusion

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

• 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 82History of the 82ndnd Airborne 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 82Histry of the 82ndnd Airborn Airborn

• 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

• Demobilized after WWIII, then reactivated in during WWII

• 1942 - 83nd Infantry Div. became the 1st Airborne Div. in the US Army & redesignated 82nd Airborne Div. They are hella-cool!!


Equipment / Weapons Systems

• M1 Abrams Tank

• M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle

• M113 Armored Personnel Carrier


Equipment / Weapon SystemsEquipment / Weapon Systems

M1A1 Abrams Tank

M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle

Briefing ContentBriefing Content

• What is the Branch you are briefingWhat is the Branch you are briefing• What is their function (What they do) What is their function (What they do) • Where do they train (What Army Post)Where do they train (What Army Post)• What does the training consist ofWhat does the training consist of• What types of specific equipment do they What types of specific equipment do they

useuse• What would a 2LT do in that BranchWhat would a 2LT do in that Branch• Would you want to be assigned to this Would you want to be assigned to this

BranchBranch

Documents

Effective Military Communication