ArmyVern said:
Our Unit SOPs state the ref standard to be used for Military Writing ...
Good on your unit for having a standard for Military Writing set in their SOPs!
I'm referring to situations like one superior using the LFDTS Military Writing Guide, another in the chain using a Navy writing guide, while my subordinate was using the
Staff and Writing Procedures for the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces (which is obsolete but still available in a half dozen places on the unit network folder, including the Unit OR).
The only problem is: Our unit isn't Land Forces or Maritime Forces, and there's nothing in unit orders dealing with the issue. So in the absence of unit policy, what standard is to be used? 1 Cdn Air Div writing procedures, if the member is wearing light blue in a purple unit? MARCOM writing procedures, because the unit CO wears a Navy uniform?
Before you ask, the answer is "Yes" - it's been brought to the attention of the CoC that our unit lacks a policy.
And if it's not the standard used ... I'm bouncing it back at you. If required, I'll quote the ref to the pers sending in the wrong format if they want to get into a pissing contest over it, the link to the Unit's SOPs regarding what format they are supposed to be using. The standard is published ... and available right from the get-go to the guy/gal who chooses not to follow that standard while doing up their time-critical memo by utilizing things such as Dist and X number of spaces, double spaces after periods etc etc. I've always found that a good way to avoid delays in time-critical memos is to follow the Unit's published standard format from the get-go --- vice getting irritated at the Supervisor who calls you on the errors and non-adherance to the Unit standard.
Woe be the one who insists the Unit's standards aren't applic to him/her until "there is a CF wide standard adopted".
That's fair - you have a unit standard that you can quote when you red ink a memo. In other units, even after the lack of unit standard is pointed out, the red inking goes on to the frustration of everyone involved.
There are precious few people in this outfit who aren't overtasked and overworked. Wouldn't it make more sense that in the absence of a national (or at least a Command or Unit) policy for Military Writing, that we abandon the nit-picky red ink strokes because a memo is missing one line between the body and signature block? I'm sure we all have better things to do than shuttle what's supposed to be an informal document back and forth numerous times. If it's important enough to red ink memos over and over, then it's important enough that someone issue a policy on it.
I'm curious as to whther or not you also refuse any leave passes which contain a request for "short leave" ... you know, at least refuse them until there is "a CF wide standard adopted" on subj because there certainly isn't a CF-wide standard on short leave right now. :camo:
The new CF Leave Manual seems to be pretty clear on the subject, n'est-ce pas?
That's about all I have to say on the issue, lest we flog deceased equine.
