The Air Force takes writing and speaking very seriously. Communication is essential. That doesn’t mean it can’t be humorous.
When I attended Squadron Officers School, a professional course for junior captains, we were blessed with presentations by the AF CINC Writing, a gentleman with a PhD in Literature. He was also a pretty good historian in regards to military writing. Being long-winded in writing is always an issue. He brought up a case study involving George Washington to illuminate the difference between rambling prose and terse directive in writing.
One of Washington’s generals sent him a long description of the apprehension, trial, and conviction of two soldiers for rape. The penalty was death. The general detailed the offense, trial, and his intent to carry out the execution. It went on for a full page.
Washington sent his reply at the bottom of the same sheet. “So do.”
The underling learned quickly. He responded, again on the same sheet of paper, “Done.”
Tongue & Quill is one of the best texts on writing and speaking I’ve read. Officially, it is AFH 33-337, an Air Force Handbook. It is not what most people expect from an official military publication. It is very clear, has outstanding guidance, and humor. All that makes it a book most Air Force personnel kept on their desk when I was in. It is not just a good learning tool, but a great reference as well. The newer version is okay, but I prefer the older version. Nostalgia, I guess.
As soon as I saw the chart put out by the Kerry Campaign to link Dubya to the Swift Boat Veterans, I thought of this chart in Tongue & Quill.
The block midway down the left side may have been created with Kerry in mind.
We had blocks on effective writing in both Leadership School and the NCO Academy. I’ve tried to put a lot of what I learned in that class to use ever since. I immediately dumped that long standing device in military/gub’ment writing:
“Requst that….”
How many examples can you come up with where it is necessary to use “utilize” instead of “use?”
Comment by 1st Nonselectee — September 7, 2004 @ 6:23 am