Guide to Naval Writing

From a Navy Chief on Active Duty, I must say this book is worth whatever price you will pay for it. Clearly explains things where many of the Navy instructions or other publications is lacking... puts wordy and complex jargon into layman's terms (for the most part). Also, this book is the first that I've read that clearly spells out why flowerly adjectives won't work on enlisted evaluations by giving examples of the "cause and effect" evals that enlisted boards are looking for and then goes on to clearly explain what officer boards are looking for as well. Not only does it explain the mentality that goes behind the prepartation before writing, this book gives you clear points and examples to remember while doing it. I'm very satisfied- and will refer back to it again often.

The Naval Institute Guide to Naval Writing is proving to be a great asset. Anyone serious about upping their game in the communication department needs to have this book!

This is an excellent, must have resource for every Navy and Marine Corps officer. It details how to communicate in accurate and professional ways. It leaves no type of written communication to chance. It shows how to write memos, directives, fitreps, instructions, messages and journal articles effectively and correctly. It includes style guides. Especially, this is a very helpful resource when composing evals and fitreps. Junior personnel deserve well informed raters who communicate persuasively and accurately. I highly recommend this book and strongly encourage my peers to purchase it.

I have owned and used this book since I joined the Navy. It has been an invaluable asset when writing evals, award, Fit-Reps, and correspondence. While some of the formats in the book are outdated, the advice and examples are great. I have found it best to use the Navy instruction to determine the proper way to fill out any form (eval, fit-rep, etc) and this book to determine the "best" way to say something. This book has been passed around every command where I have served and is a useful tool for those just beginning to do Navy paperwork. I think it would make a great gift for that new Ensign, First Class, or Chief.

My Group CO bought this manual for all of his subordinate commands. I received one of the twenty copies and use it almost once a week to assist me with my correspondence duties. It addresses almost everything imaginable from fitness reports to letters to promotion boards and award citations to letters of extra military instruction. Although the Department of the Navy has put out a correspondence manual, it is not in as much detail and does not provide as good examples like the Guide to Naval Writing is. If you plan on being a successful officer, you will have to learn to communicate effectively. Although this book cannot do everything for you, it will get you leaps and bounds ahead of most other officers. Semper Fidelis