Military report protocols?

[Matrix Refugee (formerly Morraeon)]

Can anyone point me toward something that would describe the style, etc. of writing military-type reports of combat, etc? I need this for an on-going RP series and I have no idea where to get started searching for this kind of information.

[Gman]

Can anyone point me toward something that would describe the style, etc. of writing military-type reports of combat, etc? I need this for an on-going RP series and I have no idea where to get started searching for this kind of information.

Not quite sure what you are asking for. I used to be in the US Army and they have Battle Orders and AAR's After Action Reviews of practice and combat etc. I have no idea where you could find copies. They are very short, with lots of acronyms and military jargon such as if a unit is called Dragon and they are referring to the commander of that company he would be referred to as Dragon 6 (6 is the commander). If are not familiar with units, gear, weapons and tactics it is rather cryptic. Similar to someone talking about D&D such as saving throws and armor class who is not into it. You can read military history by Gen Grant, MacArthur, Patton or Winston Churchill. They are all very good and explain what tactics are used, what worked and what didn't.

[The Dread Pharaoh Roberts]

Check out a used bookstore for an Air Force manual called "Tongue and Quill" - it'll give you an overview of how reports and briefings are written as far as style and structure, but yeah, the terminology and acronyms might give you fits if you try to write one.

[meg_evonne]

Trust the Air Force.. "Tongue and Quill"  huh.... is this a military attempt at sexual entertainment?  Need to take a peek at that one.  LOL

Can be found at Amazon.com actually..... and yes, there is one entertaining one.  Unfortunately no--search inside the book section  :-)  And like all good sex guides it stresses essential and effective communication...

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=tongue+and+quill&x=14&y=21

[Quantus]

A rough approximation, and one that may be easier to get your hands one, would be a police report.  They would have a similarly clinically bureaucratic feel without most of the jargon.  And they are public record.