Bullet Statements Bullet Statements with Impact

OVERVIEW 1.Importance of Effective Bullets 2.What is a Bullet Statement? 3.Writing Effective Bullets 4.Examples

Importance of Effective Bullets Importance of Effective Bullets Impact on careers! Primary Use

Impact on Careers Quarterly/Annual Awards Performance Reports EPRs, OPRs, Civilian Appraisals (CAs) Regular Promotions Early Promotions--STEP/BTZ Meaningful Decorations

You…during training You…for your OPR You…as a supervisor Others in the EPR/OPR/CA writing process Primary Use

What is a Bullet Statement? Definition: “bullet” Elements of an A-I Bullet Example

Brief “bottom line” of an idea Accomplishment (action) + impact EPRs OPRs Award packages (Form 1206) Definition: “Bullet” Note: Bullet statements are usually descriptive phrases Single idea bullet Accomplishment-impact bullet

Elements of an A-I Bullet Elements of an A-I Bullet Accomplishment: (1 st element) What did the person do? (performance, leadership, & mgmt) How well did the person do it? What was the result? (resources, effectiveness, efficiency) Example: - Restored 40 damaged/missing elements on six antennas in three days using decommissioned parts; saved $3479

Elements of an A-I Bullet Elements of an A-I Bullet Impact: (2 nd element) What level was impacted? (unit, wing, base, AF) Why was accomplishment important? Example: -- Sharply improved voice clarity for 30 Atlantic Gateway Antenna System operators covering US and Europe

Ex: Complete A-I Bullet - Restored 40 damaged/missing elements on six antennas in 3 days using decommissioned parts; saved $ Sharply improved voice clarity of 30 Atlantic Gateway Antenna System operators covering US and Europe What did the person do? How well did the person do it? What was the result? What level was impacted? Why was accomplishment important? So What? Each bullet must answer these questions!

Ex: Complete Bullet “Short Version” - Successfully restored 40 damaged elements on six antennas in 3 days -- Sharply improved voice clarity of 30 system operators and saved $3479 using decommissioned parts Atlantic Gateway Antenna covering US and Europe Minimum requirements for a short version bullet statement: Accomplishment Impact

Ex: Complete Bullet “Shorter Version” - Restored six antennas in three days, improved voice clarity; saved $3,479 using decommissioned parts Atlantic Gateway Antenna covering US and Europe Successfully 40 damaged elements Sharply 30 operators Minimum requirements for a short version bullet statement: Accomplishment Impact

Writing Effective Bullets 1.Documentation 2.Format 3.Writing Tips 4.Special Bullets

DocumentationDocumentation Keep a daily record of duties Keep a daily record of additional duties Keep letters, s, or comments of recognition or appreciation Keep record of completed training or education Keep a record of any voluntary service to military or community Crunch the numbers (# produced, # hours saved, $ saved, # people involved) Keep a daily record of duties Keep a daily record of additional duties Keep letters, s, or comments of recognition or appreciation Keep record of completed training or education Keep a record of any voluntary service to military or community Crunch the numbers (# produced, # hours saved, $ saved, # people involved)

Format 1 – 3 lines Sub-bullets describe impact, result, or scope Minimize “white space” (but don’t fill with fluff!) Avoid carrying a few words to next line— Don’t waste space… Size/Length of Bullets - XXX XXX XXXXX XXX XXXX -- XXX XXX XXX XXX XXXXX - AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA -- AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA - YYY YYYYY YYY YYY - ZZZZ ZZZZZ ZZZZZ ZZZZZ - VVVV VVV VVVV VVVVVV VVVV

Format Bullets don’t have periods “.” Use “!” sparingly Avoid: articles-- a, an, th e conjunctions-- and, but, or pronouns-- he, she, him, her Avoid: negative words-- isn’t, can’t To indicate a pause, use: double dash (--) ellipsis (…) semicolon (;)

Start with a strong, fact-filled statement Use “hard-hitting” facts, actions, and phrases Be enthusiastic; make your writing come alive! Look at other EPRs/OPRs/CAs for same position Writing Tips

Use common terms Avoid job-specific jargon Validate with comments from outside agencies (HQ USAF, MAJCOM, Wing, etc.)

Use verbs, adverbs & adjectives with... Writing Tips

Verbs with Revamped, rescued Pioneered, initiated Created, built, conceived Spearheaded, piloted Recaptured, recouped Captured, garnered Briefed, presented Revamped, rescued Pioneered, initiated Created, built, conceived Spearheaded, piloted Recaptured, recouped Captured, garnered Briefed, presented Instead of... Say... Improved…………. Started…………… Made……………… Led……………….. Saved ($)………… Received (award).. Spoke…………….. Improved…………. Started…………… Made……………… Led……………….. Saved ($)………… Received (award).. Spoke…………….. Writing Tips

Verbs with Writing Tips Use active voice – not passive “smooth transition was achieved” “achieved smooth transition” “patient’s life was saved” “saved patient’s life” “10 students were taught” “educated 10 students”

Adverbs with explain how a task was accomplished use only if it truly adds value to the verb enthusiasticallyproactively expertlyshrewdly independently single-handedly strategicallyflawlessly meticulouslyselflessly explain how a task was accomplished use only if it truly adds value to the verb enthusiasticallyproactively expertlyshrewdly independently single-handedly strategicallyflawlessly meticulouslyselflessly Writing Tips

Adjectives with use only if they add value use to describe the worker dynamic talentedvisionary decisive motivated inspirational versatileproactivedynamic high-output expedientexpert inexhaustible use only if they add value use to describe the worker dynamic talentedvisionary decisive motivated inspirational versatileproactivedynamic high-output expedientexpert inexhaustible Writing Tips

Lead-ins with Use sparingly; takes up space Followed with a fact or accomplishment Hard charger“Go to” person Leader of the pack Pacesetter Point-person Shining star Quality champion Community advocate Visionary Trailblazer Writing Tips

Last bullet in rating section recommends: Promotion (enlisted) PME (officer) Stratification: Use to rank top personnel Sets individual above his/her peers Common phrases: top x%, my #1, my best, hard- hitting, enthusiastic, strong Ex: - #2 of 312 CGOs in 90 SW - Top 1% of captains in 20 AF Special Bullets

4a. Example - Piloted annual Combined Federal Campaign -- Contacted 100% of personnel in 5 days and reached 14% of monetary goal Good What did the person do? What did the person do? How well did the person do it? How well did the person do it? What was the result? What was the result? What level was impacted? What level was impacted? Why was accomplishment important? So What? Why was accomplishment important? So What?

4b. Example - Created an ISD reference library -- provided a ready source of information for all element members Good and Poor Good and Poor What did the person do? Good What did the person do? Good How well did the person do it? So-so How well did the person do it? So-so What was the result? So-so What was the result? So-so What level was impacted? Yes, not impressive What level was impacted? Yes, not impressive Why was accomplishment important? So What? Why was accomplishment important? So What?

4c. Example Last Bullet from Senior Rater: - Extraordinary leader achieves unparalleled results; SOS in residence at first opportunity Great Stratification from commander for promotion and officer PME. Perfect for last bullet.

4d. Example - Requires constant supervision; sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them Poor

SUMMARY 1.Importance of Effective Bullets 2.What is a Bullet Statement? 3.Writing Effective Bullets 4.Exercises

Remember, in the highly competitive promotion arena, written communication is the only tool we have. Gen Eugene Habiger (Ret) CINC, US Strategic Command Gen Eugene Habiger (Ret) CINC, US Strategic Command