Air Force Handbook (AFH) 33-337 - The Tongue and Quill

Air Force Handbook (AFH) 33-337 - The Tongue and Quill Air Force Handbook (AFH) 33-337 - The Tongue and Quill The need for clear and effective communications among the Air Force, other Department of Defense (DoD) service branches and civilian authorities is so vital that it was actually written into law.   Ineffective communications can lead to gray areas or confusion during mission critical times.  In an era of rapid personal and mass communication that was barely imagined just a few years ago, the military still requires face-to-face briefings, background papers, and staff packages to keep the mission moving forward.   In addition, voice communications over the radio during high-stress situations must be clear and concise in order to promulgate mission essential orders and details. Plain Writing Act of 2010 The use of military jargon, constant acronyms, and poor writing and speaking skills by members of all military branches and government departments, prompted the U.S. government to create a law to enhance communication efforts within the system of conducting government business.   The Plain Writing Act of 2010 focuses on eliminating unclear language in government documents. Its implemented as part of the Department of Defenses Plain Language Program, which “promotes the use of clear, concise, and well-organized language in documents to effectively communicate with intended audiences.” Military Speaking and Writing Skills   Being a good writer and speaker are skill sets that must be taught, learned, and practiced on a near-daily basis. When people ask how they can prepare for a military career while in school, the best advice is to tell them they will need to communicate clearly. Military members will either communicate via email, have face to face meetings, or other written or spoken presentations with commanding officers and subordinates up and down  the  chain of command. The ability to communicate effectively can determine whether or not you get a promotion or a future position in the government. Air Force Handbook 33-337 The Air Force Handbook (AFH) 33-337 is this branch of the militarys guideline for  speakers, writers, and presenters.  The Tongue and Quill, as its known,  is widely used by Air Force military and civilian members, professional military school educators and students, and civilian corporations around the U.S. Although the members of the Air Force are technically skilled to communicate using a wide variety of methods, the ability to write and speak concisely and clearly is a military requirement.   Everything written in an official capacity as an Air Force member must comply with the Plain Writing Act  It should also comply with the specifics of Air Force Instruction (AFI) 33-360, Publications and Forms Management, for any Air Force publications. Other Branches Using Tongue and Quill Although it was designed by and for the Air Force originally, The Tongue and Quill is also used by Army, Navy, and Marine personnel, to encourage the same kind of clearly written and spoken communication among its members. One important note: The Tongue and Quill is not an official military document and its guidelines on how to write documents arent official, even for Air Force personnel. Your commanding officer may have a style or way of writing he or she prefers, and of course, you should adhere to whatever those rules are. But at least whenever theyre preparing to write or speak, and before putting pen to paper for a report or publication, members of the U.S. military have a solid reference to consult for guidance.