Briefings are the most efficient and common means to present information to commanders, staffers, Soldiers, or other specified audiences. You conduct briefings when your listeners need information quickly, when they can get together conveniently, and when they need to decide how to act on that information. Briefings are often preferred to written or even electronic communication because they are direct, immediate, and interpersonal. When lives may be at stake and units must carry out the right decisions, most decision-makers prefer the immediate physical setting of the military briefing. While this guide focuses on the development of briefing skills for leaders, you must keep in mind that communication is a two-way process. The speaker has a responsibility to clearly present the material, and this involves knowing the needs and expectations of the audience. But the listener also has responsibilities—not only to listen, but to provide feedback to the speaker to confirm… read more
Battle Staff NCO
The purpose of the decision briefing is to obtain an answer or a decision. Personnel in higher headquarters use this briefing for most tactical matters requiring command decisions. In division headquarters and below, personnel often use a more informal modified decision briefing. The decision briefing compares to an oral staff study and generally follows the same format.
ATTP 5-0.1, Chapter 10 An information briefing presents facts in a form the audience can easily understand. It does not include conclusions or recommendations nor does it result in decisions. The following format works well for an information briefing. 1. Introduction Greeting. Address the audience. Identify yourself and your organization. Type and Classification of Briefing. Identify the type and classification of the briefing. For example, “This is an information briefing. It is classified SECRET.” Purpose and Scope. Describe complex subjects from general to specific. Outline or Procedure. Briefly summarize the key points and general approach. Explain any special procedures (such as demonstrations, displays, or tours). For example, “During my briefing, I will discuss the six phases of our plan. I will refer to maps of our area of operations. Then my assistant will bring out a sand table to show you the expected flow of battle.” The key points may… read more
INTRODUCTION Greeting. Identification of self, if appropriate. Scope: Define coverage in terms of time, geographic limits, or other applicable specifics. BODY Summary of past civil-military operations (CMO). Current CMO. Projected CMO. Problems. CLOSE Solicitation of questions. Concluding statement and announcement of next briefer, if applicable. If no briefer follows, statement that this concludes the staff presentations.
INTRODUCTION Greeting. Identification of self, if appropriate. Scope: Define coverage in terms of time, organizational level, or specific categories. BODY Equipment status. Maintenance status. Supply status. Problems. CLOSE Solicitation of questions. Concluding statement and announcement of next briefer, if any.
INTRODUCTION Greeting. Identification of self, if appropriate. Scope: Define coverage in terms of time, organizational level, or other specifics. BODY Personnel status. (1) Casualties. (2) Replacements. (3) Present for duty strength. Problems. CLOSE Solicitation of questions. Concluding statement and announcement of next briefer, if any.
INTRODUCTION Greeting. Identification of self, if appropriate. Scope: Define coverage in terms of time, geographic limits, or specific types of operations. BODY Mission of next higher headquarters. Summary of past operations. Current operations, including own mission, disposition, composition, and strength. Projected operations. CLOSE Solicitation of questions. Concluding statement and announcement of next briefer, if any.
Used to keep the commander’s higher and lower staff updated and advised on the reporting commander’s critical situation. INTRODUCTION Greeting. Identification of self, if appropriate. Scope: Define the coverage of the briefing in terms of time, geographic limits, or specific topics. BODY Weather report and forecast. Terrain, if appropriate. Recent and present enemy activity. Other appropriate items (i.e., there has been a change in mission, enemy situation, weather, etc.). CLOSE Conclusions, if applicable. Solicitation of questions. Concluding statement and announcement of next briefing, if any.
PURPOSE The staff briefing is to secure a coordinated or unified effort. This briefing may involve the exchange of information, the announcement of decisions, the issuance of directives, or the presentation of guidance. The staff briefing may include the characteristics of the information, decision, and mission briefings. PROCEDURES Commands normally schedule staff briefings on a periodic basis. The attendees are usually the commander, his deputy, chief of staff, and senior representatives of coordinating and special staffs. Sometimes commanders from major subordinate commands may attend. In combat, commands hold additional briefings as the situation requires. The chief of staff usually presides over the staff briefing. He opens the briefing by identifying the purpose of the briefing and reviewing the mission of the next higher headquarters. He then restates the command’s mission and gives the commander’s concept, if applicable. He then calls on staff officers to brief their areas of responsibility. The… read more
This is my PowerPoint. There are many like it but mine is 97. My PowerPoint is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I master my life. My PowerPoint without me is useless. Without my PowerPoint, I am useless. I must format my slides true. I must brief them better than the other staff sections who are trying to out brief me. I must brief the impact on the CINC before he asks me. I will. My PowerPoint and myself know that what counts in this war is not the information. We know that it is the number of slides, the colors of the highlights, and the format of the bullets that counts. My PowerPoint is human, even as I, because it is my life. Thus I will learn it as a brother. I will learn its weaknesses, its strengths, its… read more