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 Impact on Careers Primary Use Primary Use

Impact on Careers Quarterly/Annual Awards Quarterly/Annual Awards Performance Reports Performance Reports EPRs, OPRs, Civilian Rating of Records EPRs, OPRs, Civilian Rating of Records Regular Promotions Regular Promotions Early Promotions--STEP/BTZ Early Promotions--STEP/BTZ Meaningful Decorations Meaningful Decorations

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

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

Definition: Bullet Brief bottom line of an idea Brief bottom line of an idea Talking papers Talking papers Accomplishment (action) + impact Accomplishment (action) + impact EPRs, OPRs, CRRs EPRs, OPRs, CRRs Award packages (Form 1206) Award packages (Form 1206) 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) Accomplishment: (1 st element) What did the person do? (performance, leadership, & mgmt) What did the person do? (performance, leadership, & mgmt) How well did the person do it? How well did the person do it? What was the result? (resources, effectiveness, efficiency) What was the result? (resources, effectiveness, efficiency)Ex: - Restored 40 damaged/missing elements on six antennas in three days using decommissioned parts; saved $3479

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

Ex: Complete A-I Bullet Takes 2 lines on an EPR/OPR form; minimal white space. - Restored 40 damaged/missing elements on 6 antennas in three 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? 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? Each bullet must answer these questions! Ex:

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

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

Format 1 – 3 lines 1 – 3 lines Sub-bullets describe impact, result, or scope Minimize white space (but dont fill with fluff!) Minimize white space (but dont fill with fluff!) Avoid carrying a few words to next lineDont waste space… Avoid carrying a few words to next lineDont 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 dont have periods. Bullets dont have periods. Use ! sparingly Use ! sparingly Avoid: articles-- a, an, th e conjunctions-- and, but, or pronouns-- he, she, him, her Avoid: articles-- a, an, th e conjunctions-- and, but, or pronouns-- he, she, him, her Avoid: negative words-- isnt, cant Avoid: negative words-- isnt, cant To indicate a pause, use: To indicate a pause, use: double dash (--) ellipsis (…) semicolon (;) double dash (--) ellipsis (…) semicolon (;)

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

Writing Tips Use common terms Use common terms Avoid job-specific jargon Avoid job-specific jargon Validate with comments from outside agencies (HQ USAF, MAJCOM, Wing, etc.) 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, delivered (a speech) Instead of... Say... Improved…………. Started…………… Made……………… Led……………….. Saved ($)………… Received (award).. Spoke…………….. Writing Tips

Verbs with Use active voice -- not passive smooth transition was achieved smooth transition was achieved achieved smooth transition achieved smooth transition patients life was saved patients life was saved saved patients life saved patients life 10 students were taught 10 students were taught educated 10 students educated 10 students Writing Tips

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 Writing Tips

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

Lead-ins with - Use sparingly; takes up space - Followed with a fact or accomplishment Hard chargerGo 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: Last bullet in rating section recommends: Promotion (enlisted) Promotion (enlisted) PME (officer) PME (officer) Stratification: Stratification: Use to rank top personnel Use to rank top personnel Sets individual above his/her peers Sets individual above his/her peers Common phrases: top x%, my #1, my best, hard- hitting, enthusiastic, strong 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 - Piloted annual Combined Federal Campaign -- Contacted 100% of personnel in 5 days -- Contacted 100% of personnel in 5 days and reached 14% of monetary goal 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 - Created an ISD reference library -- provided a ready source of -- provided a ready source of information for all element information for all element members 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 Last Bullet from Senior Rater: - Extraordinary leader achieves unparalleled results; SOS in unparalleled results; SOS in residence at first opportunity residence at first opportunity Great Stratification from commander for promotion and officer PME. Perfect for last bullet.

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