How should I shorten a "too long and awkward sounding" list of assignments for a guest speaker?

2018-03-29T22:20:51-04:00

1st Battalion 10th Infantry Fort Carson, CO;
5th Battalion 87th Infantry Fort Clayton, Panama;
Air Base Ground Defense School Fort Dix, NJ;
1st Battalion 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment Fort Polk, LA;
U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion Tampa, FL;
1st Battalion 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment Fort Bragg, NC;
1st Battalion 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment Fort Richardson, AK;
Headquarters, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, AK;
1st Battalion 40th Cavalry (Airborne) Fort Richardson, AK,
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Knox, KY;
2nd Battalion 2nd Infantry, Fort Knox, KY;
1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, Fort Bragg, NC,
3rd Brigade Combat Team 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY,
Headquarters, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, GA.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Mar 29 at 2018 10:45 PM

2018-03-29T22:45:23-04:00

How about instead of every assignment, it lists assignments that SM had command at?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2018 10:46 PM

2018-03-29T22:46:32-04:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member Something to consider:

As a young Army Second Lieutenant, our guest speaker began his career with the 1st Battalion, 10th Infantry, at Fort Carson. During his career, he/she has deployed XXX times, received the following awards and medals, and been recognized for XXXX. Colonel XXX is currently stationed at HQ, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, GA., where he is Chief of XXXX.

The goal is to highlight the speakers career and accomplishments without spending 15minutes on a boring introduction.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Mar 30 at 2018 12:27 AM

2018-03-30T00:27:56-04:00

BLANK has served with various units. most notably, BLANK, BLANK, and BLANK, where he/she served as the BLANK, BLANK, and BLANK respectively. His/her last duty was the BLANK with BLANK.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Mar 30 at 2018 11:08 AM

2018-03-30T11:08:22-04:00

I'm one of those fossils that has a long list. I just told my Master Chief to say "Contrary to popular belief, CAPT Ball did not messcook the Last Supper. However, he's had theses types of jobs spanning all the continents. He's currently the Commanding Officer of..." Looks like you can show 3 major themes and "bouncing between the usual suspects in CONUS and confusing his thermostat with Panama and FT Rich".

I've always hated the formalized crank turning which makes everyone want to refill their drink or hit the head.

Response by LTC Hillary Luton made Mar 30 at 2018 4:29 PM

2018-03-30T16:29:07-04:00

I would have to agree with LTC Jason Mackay. Normally, only the most significant information is listed (i.e. command assignments, deployments, significant events, etc.) If you are writing a bio, you want to keep it to a page at the very most. If is an article, keep it shorter.