Academic Writing for Military Personnel is written for members of the military who are either new to or re-entering the academic community and who need to familiarize themselves with academic writing. The authors, an experienced writing instructor and a retired military officer, show how persuasive academic writing enhances officers’ effectiveness in their regular duties, especially as they reach more senior levels of service. They explain the differences between staff writing and academic writing, and outline some of the common errors military personnel make when transitioning from one to the other. The book’s chapters outline the value of strong written communication skills, the research process, the writing process, academic referencing, and frequent grammatical and syntactical errors. Specific examples chosen with a military audience in mind are integrated throughout the book to provide the reader with relevant and practical guidance. The book concludes with a discussion on how officers can use the knowledge they have acquired through their professional experiences in their academic work. As the only comprehensive guide to effective academic writing designed specifically for military personnel, this book will be a crucial addition to the libraries of junior and senior officers in militaries worldwide.
Adam Chapnick is the deputy director of education at the Canadian Forces College, Toronto, and assistant professor of defence studies at the Royal Military College. He is the author of The Middle Power Project: Canada and the Founding of the United Nations (UBC Press, 2005). Craig Stone is the deputy director of academics at the Canadian Forces College, Toronto, and head of the Department of Defence Studies at the Royal Military College of Canada. Now retired, he served in the Canadian Armed Forces for over 30 years.
"Using the unique perspective they have gained from both their academic experience and their direct involvement in the professional development of senior officers, Adam Chapnick and Craig Stone have created an eminently readable and practical guide to academic writing for military personnel. In so doing, they have rendered an invaluable service to the development of these competencies within the current and future cohorts of senior military personnel." -- LtGen (ret'd) Fred Sutherland
"The prescriptions for writing are clear, and the format and organization make great sense. This book will be a tremendous asset to all." -- MGen (ret'd) Ivan Fenton
"In my former profession as an academic I read many books on academic writing over the years. This one ranks among the best." -- MGen (ret'd) Herb Petras
"Academic Writing for Military Personnel is a short, focused, useful book... a welcome addition to the reference library of anyone in uniform." -- Canadian Air Force Journal