How does the military currently prepare or equip members for written professional etiquette?

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 22:50:05 -0400

I don't remember ever having any "general business" professional development type classes or seminars when I was active duty. Perhaps it was my limited length of service, and the length of time ago.

What does the military do, today, if anything? The reason I ask is because I am continually amazed at the either lack of knowledge, or lack of care that some service members take when responding to professional written communication.

For example: I'm an executive board member of a military sorority, aka, professional organization. Occasionally, I receive emails from potential members. These members know before they apply that we are a professional organization and should be treated as such, yet I continually get emails that are written in TEXT SPEAK.

I know that at the very least, the military teaches for professional emails to start with a proper greeting, and end with a proper closing. We used "Respectfully" or "Very Respectfully" if appropriate, and in some informal settings, /R or V/R for shorthand. I don't use those types of closing anymore because I'm not active duty, and quite honestly, that's kind of weird in the civilian world. I just cannot wrap my head around the fact that some of the these applicants, who are of all ages, and all ranks, enlisted, and officer, are sending me emails with text speak like it's no big thing.

So, that leads me to my question - does the military properly train and prepare their service members on standard business etiquette? You know, the kind that doesn't involve screaming or yelling to get things accomplished? (Yes, that was supposed to be a joke to lighten things up around here....)

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2015 7:20 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 07:20:33 -0500

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member, I run into the same issues with people's inability to clearly write. I am currently in an organization with a lot of senior military and civilian members. I would say that most have a bachelors degree and many have their masters. The abilities of our members far exceeds those that I think you are alluding to. We send our members to the Buckley School for Public Speaking among others to hone and refine their communications skills. Unfortunately, unless the military changes it's education system, service members are only going to be held accountable by instructors they have at the various colleges they are taking courses at and as you know those standards are varied to say the least.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2015 9:40 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 09:40:15 -0500

I would say no it doesn't. Most skills required for perfessional correspondace are not required in the military. Maybe if you work in the Acquisition Corps. I am infantry. I have never been required to write anything thing, besides an NCOER. I did go on to college attain the skills required for writing. But it only for my own interest. The army didn't play a role in that. I greatly enjoy writing. I even blog here on RP in the command posts section.

In relation to everyone in the Army why do they need this training. The Army is here to teach you to be a soldier, not to set you up with the skills in the life that will make you successful. I know what they teach you in the army will aid you but it can't be the sole source of knowledge.

I would blame the school system. They are doing a pretty bang up job at this. I am finding that even some colleges are letting some slip through with little to show for it.