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

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 trainingYou…for your OPRYou…as a supervisorOthers 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 Talking papers

Accomplishment (action) + impact EPRs, OPRs, CAs, 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

Accomplishment: (1st element) What did the person do?

(performance, leadership, & mgmt) How well did the person do it? What was the result?

(resources, effectiveness, efficiency)

Ex:

- Restored 40 damaged/missing elements on six antennas in three days using decommissioned parts; saved $3479

Elements of an A-I Bullet

Impact: (2nd element)

What level was impacted? (unit, wing, base, AF)

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 - Restored 40 damaged/missing elements on 6 antennas in three days using

decommissioned parts; saved $3479 -- 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 6 antennas in three 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 6 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. Documentation2. Format3. Writing Tips 4. Special Bullets

Documentation Keep a daily record of duties Keep a daily record of additional duties Keep letters, e-mails, 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, #hrs

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 -- XXXXXXXXX XXXXX XXX- 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, the 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, & phrases

Be enthusiastic; make your writing come alive!

Look at other EPRs/OPRs/CAs for

same position

Writing Tips

Writing Tips

Use common termsAvoid job-specific jargonValidate with comments from

outside agencies (HQ USAF, MAJCOM, Wing, etc.)

Use verbs, adverbs & adjectives with...

Writing Tips

Verbs with Revamped, rescuedPioneered, initiatedCreated, built, conceivedSpearheaded, pilotedRecaptured, recoupedCaptured, garneredBriefed, presented

Instead of ... Say ...Improved………….

Started……………Made………………Led………………..Saved ($)…………Received (award)..Spoke ……………..

Writing Tips

Verbs withWriting 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

enthusiastically proactively

expertly shrewdly

independently single-handedly

strategically flawlessly

meticulously selflessly

Writing Tips

Adjectives with - use only if they add value

- use to describe the worker

dynamic talented visionarydecisive motivated inspirationalversatile proactive dynamichigh-output expedient expertinexhaustible

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, strongEx: - #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?

How well did the person do it? What was the result? What level was impacted? 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 What did the person do? Good How well did the person do it? So-so What was the result? So-so What level was impacted? Yes, not impressive Why was accomplishment important? So What?

4c. Example

Last Bullet from Senior Rater: - Extraordinary leader achieves unparalleled results; SOS in residence at first opportunity

GreatStratification 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