Yokota Air Base, Japan -- Power point slides, performance reports and bullet writing may not be the most enjoyable combination for most, but 22 service members came together for an effective writing course to improve their bullet writing techniques at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Jan. 26-27, 2017.
“Writing is essential to your career and the careers of the airmen we lead,” said Master Sgt. Matthew Dinunzio, 730th Air Mobility Squadron aircraft services superintendent. “Accurately capturing what someone does can set that person up for promotions and awards.”
During the course, the instructors provided 30 minutes of power point slides to inform the class attendees what is to be expected from the course, and then moved into an interactive learning style between the teachers and students.
The participants were paired up to act as a supervisor/subordinate to discuss what the subordinate did throughout the year as the supervisor takes notes. Each pair talked until the supervisor has enough to write a bullet, and then the class worked together to form a bullet for each attendee.
“Having an interactive class over a two day period allows participants to have a fresh mind and obtain the information,” Dinunzio said. “We’re here to provide techniques and procedures that have been known to be effective across different bases and commands.”
The course provided members with a different outlook from members across the base to enhance their bullet writing capabilities.
“I’m finding myself writing packages on members who work in different careers fields and having to route them up to members in another career field,” said Tech. Sgt. Bryan Rodvold, Defense Threat Reduction Agency superintendent. “Since I’m seeing people from many different specialties that can interpret packages in many different ways, this class was a good opportunity for me to get input from many different specialties and find a common ground framework for writing.”
For members who are interested improving their bullet writing ability whether it’s for an awards package, performance report or a resume to apply for a special duty the effective writing course is offered to Yokota personnel during the third week of every month.
“I hope people gain a broader understanding of how bullets are formed and learn from our fellow service members from across the base,” Dinunzio said. “We’re not here to give you the bullet, we’re here to help you build bullets and speak to all career fields.”