birthplace, home and future of aerospace medicine bulletwriting brought to you by: afmentor.com

Birthplace, Home and Future of Aerospace Medicine

BulletBullet

WritingWriting

Brought to you by:Brought to you by:AFMentor.comAFMentor.com

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““Fewer things contribute to maintaining a Fewer things contribute to maintaining a superior enlisted force more than a clear and superior enlisted force more than a clear and accurate documentation of an Airman’s accurate documentation of an Airman’s performance and contributions to mission performance and contributions to mission accomplishment. Bullet statements are accomplishment. Bullet statements are essential elements that will get our best essential elements that will get our best people promoted and assigned to positions people promoted and assigned to positions of greater technical and managerial of greater technical and managerial responsibility.”responsibility.”

CMSgt Jerry K. SuttonCMSgt Jerry K. Sutton

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• The ValueThe Value• Supervisor/Subordinate ResponsibilitiesSupervisor/Subordinate Responsibilities• PreparationPreparation• Bullet Statement MechanicsBullet Statement Mechanics• Writing a BulletWriting a Bullet• Writing ExerciseWriting Exercise• Review and EditReview and Edit

OverviewOverview

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The ValueThe Value

• Word picture of what the person didWord picture of what the person did• Only way someone who does not know the person Only way someone who does not know the person

can effectively evaluate their performancecan effectively evaluate their performance

• Shows not only what they did but how they did it and Shows not only what they did but how they did it and what the outcome waswhat the outcome was

• Can lead to promotionsCan lead to promotions• The supervisor can not promote their people but The supervisor can not promote their people but

what and how they write can lead to promotion what and how they write can lead to promotion selectionselection

• Promotions lead to more payPromotions lead to more pay• The supervisor can not give their people a pay raise The supervisor can not give their people a pay raise

but a promotion willbut a promotion will

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Supervisor/Subordinate ResponsibilitiesSupervisor/Subordinate Responsibilities

• LearningLearning• AF Directives/InstructionsAF Directives/Instructions• Senior leadership and peers, known expertsSenior leadership and peers, known experts• Local guidance and directivesLocal guidance and directives• InternetInternet• Commercial sourcesCommercial sources

• TeachingTeaching• Stress to subordinates the importance of providing good inputsStress to subordinates the importance of providing good inputs• Teach them how to write effective bulletsTeach them how to write effective bullets

• RecordingRecording• Should have a running record of accomplishmentsShould have a running record of accomplishments• This can be done for you and your subordinatesThis can be done for you and your subordinates• Should be a requirementShould be a requirement• It is easier to write with good inputIt is easier to write with good input

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PreparationPreparation

• Start with a comprehensive descriptionStart with a comprehensive description• Use detailed narrative of performanceUse detailed narrative of performance• Make sure you have the who, what, where, when, Make sure you have the who, what, where, when,

why, how many, how much, time/money saved, and why, how many, how much, time/money saved, and numbersnumbers

• Use tools available to youUse tools available to you• AF Directives/InstructionsAF Directives/Instructions

• HQ USAF/SG OPR/EPR GuideHQ USAF/SG OPR/EPR Guide• https://kx.afms.mil/ctb/groups/dotmil/documents/afms/

ctb_013741.pdf

• Your supervisor, co-workers, fellow NCOsYour supervisor, co-workers, fellow NCOs

• Word lists, commercial sourcesWord lists, commercial sources

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• Three parts to a bulletThree parts to a bullet• Start with strong impact word (action verb, past tense)Start with strong impact word (action verb, past tense)• Followed with the factFollowed with the fact• Support fact with impact/resultsSupport fact with impact/results

• Use single bulletsUse single bullets• No wraparoundsNo wraparounds• Use sub-bullet only when needed to add impactUse sub-bullet only when needed to add impact• Avoid fluffy, feel-good phrases (flowery words)Avoid fluffy, feel-good phrases (flowery words)• Define all acronyms and abbreviations first before Define all acronyms and abbreviations first before

using themusing them• Try to avoid leaving white spaceTry to avoid leaving white space

Bullet Statement MechanicsBullet Statement Mechanics

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• Action verbs (more in Tongue and Quill)Action verbs (more in Tongue and Quill)ActivatedActivatedAdvocatedAdvocatedAggressiveAggressiveAmassedAmassedAspiredAspiredAssertedAssertedAttainedAttainedAuthoredAuthoredBattledBattledBolsteredBolsteredCapitalizedCapitalizedCaptivatedCaptivatedCapturedCaptured


CementedCementedChampionedChampionedCommandedCommandedCommendedCommendedCommittedCommittedComposedComposedCreatedCreatedCultivatedCultivatedDazzledDazzledDedicatedDedicatedDeflectedDeflectedDeliveredDeliveredDelvedDelved

DesignedDesignedDetailedDetailedDevelopedDevelopedDevisedDevisedDevotedDevotedDirectedDirectedDispersedDispersedDoubledDoubledEarnedEarnedElevatedElevatedEliminatedEliminatedEmployedEmployedEmulatedEmulated

EndeavoredEndeavoredEnergizedEnergizedEngagedEngagedEngineeredEngineeredEnlistedEnlistedEnrichedEnrichedEnvisionedEnvisionedEradicatedEradicatedEscalatedEscalatedExecutedExecutedExpeditedExpeditedExploredExploredFacilitatedFacilitated

ForgedForgedFortifiedFortifiedGuidedGuidedHonedHonedHonoredHonoredIgnitedIgnitedIllustratedIllustratedInfusedInfusedInspiredInspiredInstitutedInstitutedIntegratedIntegratedLaunchedLaunchedLedLed

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• More action verbsMore action verbs

LedLedMarketedMarketedMasteredMasteredMaximizedMaximizedMentoredMentoredMoldedMoldedMotivatedMotivatedMultipliedMultipliedNavigatedNavigatedNetworkedNetworkedNurturedNurturedOrchestratedOrchestratedOutshinedOutshinedOvercameOvercame

PilotedPilotedPinpointedPinpointedPioneeredPioneeredPrecludedPrecludedPresidedPresidedPropelledPropelledRecruitedRecruitedRedesignedRedesignedRefinedRefinedRegulatedRegulatedReinforcedReinforcedReshapedReshaped RevampedRevampedRevitalizedRevitalized

RevivedRevivedSecuredSecuredSeizedSeizedShapedShapedSkyrocketedSkyrocketedSparkedSparkedStreamlinedStreamlinedStrengthenedStrengthenedStructuredStructuredStyledStyledSurgedSurgedTamedTamedTerminatedTerminatedThwartedThwarted

TransformedTransformedUnderscoredUnderscoredValidatedValidatedVisualizedVisualizedVoicedVoiced

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• The factThe fact• What they didWhat they did• How they did itHow they did it

• Impact/resultsImpact/results• This is the outcome of what was doneThis is the outcome of what was done• Put impact in some type of measurable termPut impact in some type of measurable term

• Quality: best, most successful, first, benchmark forQuality: best, most successful, first, benchmark for• Quantity: numbers, percent increase/decrease, scope of Quantity: numbers, percent increase/decrease, scope of

effort and effecteffort and effect• Time: hours, man-hours/days saved, hours/days/months Time: hours, man-hours/days saved, hours/days/months

ahead of scheduleahead of schedule• Cost: savings in man-hours, dollars, and/or resourcesCost: savings in man-hours, dollars, and/or resources

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• Action verbAction verb• EngineeredEngineered

• The factThe fact• a widget inspection devicea widget inspection device

• The impactThe impact• saved 360 man-hours a yearsaved 360 man-hours a year

• The bulletThe bullet- Engineered a widget inspection device- Engineered a widget inspection device……saved 360 man-hours a saved 360 man-hours a

yearyear

Writing a BulletWriting a Bullet

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Writing ExerciseWriting Exercise

TSgt John Doe has completed 12 semester hours in upper-level course work TSgt John Doe has completed 12 semester hours in upper-level course work for a Master of Arts Business Degree. The college he attended was Kansas for a Master of Arts Business Degree. The college he attended was Kansas State University. He took four classes. Each class counted for 3 semester State University. He took four classes. Each class counted for 3 semester hours. Of the 38 students in the program, TSgt Doe’s GPA, 4.0, was the hours. Of the 38 students in the program, TSgt Doe’s GPA, 4.0, was the highest of all.highest of all.

Good exampleGood example

- - Maximized every opportunity to continue professional development and growth…Maximized every opportunity to continue professional development and growth…attended Kansas State University…took four classes toward Master of Arts degree in attended Kansas State University…took four classes toward Master of Arts degree in business…maintained exceptional 4.0 GPAbusiness…maintained exceptional 4.0 GPA

Better exampleBetter example

- - Professional growth…completed 12 semester hours…Master of Arts business…Professional growth…completed 12 semester hours…Master of Arts business…maintained 4.0 GPAmaintained 4.0 GPA

Best exampleBest example

- - Completed 12 semester hours for Masters Degree business program…class standing Completed 12 semester hours for Masters Degree business program…class standing #1 of 38, 4.0 GPA#1 of 38, 4.0 GPA

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Writing ExerciseWriting Exercise MSgt Johnny Champion was personally sought out by the OG/CC to represent the Ops MSgt Johnny Champion was personally sought out by the OG/CC to represent the Ops

Group as a member of the base IRRI prep team. The team’s tasking was to overhaul the Group as a member of the base IRRI prep team. The team’s tasking was to overhaul the existing IRRI plan and devise a plan that would ensure success for the 2001 PACAF IRRI. existing IRRI plan and devise a plan that would ensure success for the 2001 PACAF IRRI. MSgt Champion worked really hard to prepared the base for the upcoming IRRI. He MSgt Champion worked really hard to prepared the base for the upcoming IRRI. He published weekly “Warrior Words” in the base newspaper. He staffed many of the team’s published weekly “Warrior Words” in the base newspaper. He staffed many of the team’s taskings to the responsible agency or group. He developed and oversaw a 10-item high-taskings to the responsible agency or group. He developed and oversaw a 10-item high-visibility unit level validation project for 26 squadrons in the wing. These 10 items had been visibility unit level validation project for 26 squadrons in the wing. These 10 items had been identified as high-threat inspection interest areas from previous inspections. When the time identified as high-threat inspection interest areas from previous inspections. When the time for the IRRI came, you can bet in all of these areas, the squadrons were ready and more for the IRRI came, you can bet in all of these areas, the squadrons were ready and more importantly the 9,500 member base population was ready to go to war.importantly the 9,500 member base population was ready to go to war.


- - 18 OG/CC by-name choice to serve on wing IRRI prep team…superb performance...ensured 26 squadron 18 OG/CC by-name choice to serve on wing IRRI prep team…superb performance...ensured 26 squadron validation/compliance of 10 item special interest area checklist...published "Warrior Words" in base validation/compliance of 10 item special interest area checklist...published "Warrior Words" in base paperpaper


- - Hand-picked by the 18 OG commander to work on MAJCOM IRRI prep team...oversaw compliance in Hand-picked by the 18 OG commander to work on MAJCOM IRRI prep team...oversaw compliance in over 20 squadrons...staffed team taskings...ensured timely preparation...base population well educatedover 20 squadrons...staffed team taskings...ensured timely preparation...base population well educated


- - Hand-picked...18 WG '01 PACAF IRRI prep team...managed 26 unit interest item validation/rebuilt wing Hand-picked...18 WG '01 PACAF IRRI prep team...managed 26 unit interest item validation/rebuilt wing CONOps...published weekly combat-focused articles...elevated readiness 9.5K base populaceCONOps...published weekly combat-focused articles...elevated readiness 9.5K base populace

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TSgt Harry Harrison was an expert planner. He knew how to effectively use his people. His TSgt Harry Harrison was an expert planner. He knew how to effectively use his people. His unit was undermanned. Personnel were scarce and were already tasked very heavily. Then unit was undermanned. Personnel were scarce and were already tasked very heavily. Then came another tasking from the Group CEM, staff Ready Augmentee and Noncombatant came another tasking from the Group CEM, staff Ready Augmentee and Noncombatant Evacuee (NEO) teams. TSgt Harrison’s boss, the Director of Operations, tasked him to devise Evacuee (NEO) teams. TSgt Harrison’s boss, the Director of Operations, tasked him to devise a plan to meet the unit’s NEO and Ready Augmentee tasking while simultaneously filling the a plan to meet the unit’s NEO and Ready Augmentee tasking while simultaneously filling the AEF, IRRE, and IRRI schedule requirements. He came through with flying colors. He tapped AEF, IRRE, and IRRI schedule requirements. He came through with flying colors. He tapped into his support personnel pool and met the NEO and Ready Augmentee tasking. His effective into his support personnel pool and met the NEO and Ready Augmentee tasking. His effective use of support personnel meant he didn’t have to overuse his operations personnel. His use of support personnel meant he didn’t have to overuse his operations personnel. His superb planning and management ensured all requirements were met. Squadron support superb planning and management ensured all requirements were met. Squadron support continued with minimal impact to support activities and all of the operational flying missions continued with minimal impact to support activities and all of the operational flying missions were achieved.were achieved.


- - Ingenious planning…innovative scheduling…tasked operations support personnel to meet Ready and NEO Ingenious planning…innovative scheduling…tasked operations support personnel to meet Ready and NEO tasking...very little impact to operations...real-world AEF support met...IRRI and IRRE aircrews builttasking...very little impact to operations...real-world AEF support met...IRRI and IRRE aircrews built


- - Built support teams and aircrews to meet IRRI, IRRE, and AEF mission requirements…simultaneously met Built support teams and aircrews to meet IRRI, IRRE, and AEF mission requirements…simultaneously met Ready augmentee and noncombatant evacuee schedule…super work considering minimum manningReady augmentee and noncombatant evacuee schedule…super work considering minimum manning


- - Engineered DO ready augmentee/noncombatant evacuee plan...IRRE/IRRI/AEF taskings achieved despite Engineered DO ready augmentee/noncombatant evacuee plan...IRRE/IRRI/AEF taskings achieved despite austere manning...ops impact transparent...minimized support compromise...aircrew generation seamlessaustere manning...ops impact transparent...minimized support compromise...aircrew generation seamless

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SrA Stellar Performer is an exceptional troop. SrA Performer’s work is always SrA Stellar Performer is an exceptional troop. SrA Performer’s work is always on time and accomplished in an exemplary manner. She was a recent recipient on time and accomplished in an exemplary manner. She was a recent recipient of the John L. Levitow Honor Graduate Award at Airman Leadership School. of the John L. Levitow Honor Graduate Award at Airman Leadership School. She is clearly the best Airman of the 5,000 E-4s and below assigned to Kadena She is clearly the best Airman of the 5,000 E-4s and below assigned to Kadena AB. Her standing was validated by her base level Airman of the Year win. Out AB. Her standing was validated by her base level Airman of the Year win. Out of the 137 Airmen in her unit, she is the most competitive for a STEP of the 137 Airmen in her unit, she is the most competitive for a STEP promotion. promotion.

Good exampleGood example - - Best of the best…exceptional Airman...winner base level Airman of the Year Award…Best of the best…exceptional Airman...winner base level Airman of the Year Award…

promote right now!promote right now!

Better exampleBetter example - - Unit's #1 of 137…won 2000 Airman of the Year...unit/group/base…ALS Levitow Unit's #1 of 137…won 2000 Airman of the Year...unit/group/base…ALS Levitow

winner...promote now!winner...promote now!

Best exampleBest example - - #1 of 5,000 Airman...won Kadena Airman of the Year Award 2000...ALS Levitow #1 of 5,000 Airman...won Kadena Airman of the Year Award 2000...ALS Levitow

winner...STEP now!winner...STEP now!

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Review and EditReview and Edit

• ReviewReview• Look at what you have writtenLook at what you have written• Does the bullet start with an action verb?Does the bullet start with an action verb?• Did you state the fact?Did you state the fact?• Did you include the impact?Did you include the impact?

• Edit bullets that need itEdit bullets that need it• Make the impact strongMake the impact strong• Fill the lineFill the line

• ReviewReview• EditEdit• ReviewReview• EditEdit• ReviewReview

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SummarySummary

• The ValueThe Value• Supervisor/Subordinate ResponsibilitiesSupervisor/Subordinate Responsibilities• PreparationPreparation• Bullet Statement MechanicsBullet Statement Mechanics• Writing a BulletWriting a Bullet• Writing ExerciseWriting Exercise• Review and EditReview and Edit

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