Brown Bag Lessons The Magic of Bullet Writing By Eric R. Jaren Chief Master Sergeant, USAF, Retired Edited by Don Alexander Master Chief, USN, Retired Air University Press Curtis E. LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama Project Editor Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Belinda Bazinet Names: Jaren, Eric R., 1964- author. | Air University Copy Editor (U.S.). Press, publisher. Tammi Dacus Title: Brown bag lessons : the magic of bullet writing / Eric R. Jaren. Cover Art, Book Design, and Illustrations Other titles: Magic of Bullet Writing L. Susan Fair Description: First edition. | Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama : Air University Press, [2018] Composition and Prepress Production Identifiers: LCCN 2017052719| ISBN Vivian D. O’Neal 9781585662784 | ISBN 158566278X Subjects: LCSH: United States—Armed Forces— Print Preparation and Distribution Promotions—Evaluation. | United States—Armed Diane Clark Forces—Promotions. | Employees—Rating of— United States. | Performance awards—United States. Classification: LCC UB323 .J37 2018 | DDC 808.06/6355—dc23 | SUDOC D 301.26/6:B 87 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017052719 AIR UNIVERSITY PRESS Published by Air University Press in December 2017 Director and Publisher Copyright © 2012 by Eric R. Jaren Dr. Ernest Allan Rockwell Air University Press Disclaimer 600 Chennault Circle, Building 1405 Maxwell AFB, AL 36112-6010 Opinions, conclusions, and recommendations expressed http://www.au.af.mil/au/aupress/ or implied within are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official policy or position of Facebook: the organizations with which they are associated or the https://www.facebook.com/AirUnivPress views of the Air University Press, Air University, United and States Air Force, Department of Defense, or any other US government agency. This publication is cleared for public Twitter: https://twitter.com/aupress release and unlimited distribution. Air University Press Contents List of Illustrations v Foreword vii About the Author ix Acknowledgments xi Preface xiii Introduction xv Part 1 Timeless Lessons 1 Genesis 3 2 A Better Mousetrap 7 3 A Consistent Approach 11 Part 2 The Magic 4 Bullet Formats 17 5 Performance Levels 29 6 The Performance Scale 39 Part 3 Practice Makes Perfect 7 Scoring Mechanics 53 8 Top 10 Writing Traps 59 9 Perfect Practice Makes Perfect 67 Part 4 Conducting Boards 10 You Just Can’t Make This Up 105 Abbreviations 109 Appendix 111 iii List of Illustrations Figure 1 Tactical-Operational-Strategic 21 2 Tactical-Tactical-Tactical 21 3 Tactical-Tactical-Operational 22 4 Tactical-Tactical-Strategic 22 5 Performance-level model 31 Table 1 Performance-level scores 54 v Foreword What leader in any organization hasn’t sat back and internally screamed, “There has to be a better way!” Reader beware, there is a better way. What I inherently knew as a member of US Navy E-7 through E-9 selection boards, CMSgt Eric R. Jaren has captured in a systematic process useful for every level of leadership. The consis- tency in the approach embodies reflective, thoughtful consideration to capture the truth and proper context of every person’s accomplish- ments. The use of performance levels is not confined to any specific military service. Indeed, it’s universal in application in any business and culture. The addition of this model into company grade officer (CGO) and senior noncommissioned officer (SNCO) combined cur- riculum underpins the operational and long-term strategic impor- tance for the force. This model was implemented into the Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy (SNCOA) and CGO curriculum as a “best practice” for meeting the responsibility to mentor institutional competencies directly impacting the careers of the team. Feedback from students, scholar-warriors, substantiates the model. The model provides un- adulterated feedback in mentoring and maintains integrity with pro- motion and award processes. From this, leadership, followership, and the core doctrine of developing Airmen are assured. No other presen- tation media in 33 days of curriculum was asked for by more students to take back for use in operational units. DON ALEXANDER Command Master Chief, USN, retired Director of Curriculum Air Force SNCOA vii About the Author After 30 years of leading our nation’s Airmen, Chief Master Ser- geant Eric R. Jaren’s powerful fervor to write Brown Bag Lessons, The Magic of Bullet Writing is a reflection of his passion for developing, coaching, and mentoring all Airmen. Chief Jaren literally influenced the lives of thousands through his seminars and motivational talks about taking care of Airmen and their families and how to communi- cate their accomplishments through the written word. With the Chief, it always comes back around to the core focus of developing leaders. The magic of this masterpiece is that these timeless brown bag lessons can be used by any organization—both military and civil- ian. Chief Jaren’s personal mantra has always been “Find a Need, Meet a Need,” and his desire for you is that the struggle to write comes to an end. Are you ready for the magic? Chief Jaren retired from the US Air Force in 2012. Formerly the Command Chief Master Sergeant for Air Force Materiel Command’s 13,000+ enlisted Airmen and their families, Chief Jaren’s 30-year ca- reer brought him from the flight line as an aircraft mechanic to the front line as a senior Air Force leader. He’s a warrior Airman who’s deployed worldwide, including support of Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom. Chief Jaren holds a master’s degree in business administration from Trident University and an executive certificate in negotiation from the Uni- versity of Notre Dame. ix