16.1 Written Communication (AFH-1 Section 15D)

16.1 Written Communication (AFH-1 Section 15D)

Quick Answer: Section 15D is B for SSgt and B for TSgt (15 February 2025 ADTC). DAFH 33-337, The Tongue and Quill, is the writing reference. Use the official memorandum for DoD, federal agencies, and vendors when a personal letter is wrong; the personal letter for praise, condolence, or sponsorship (preferably one page, no acronyms); the staff package with AF Form 1768 to route work.

Writing platforms and The Tongue and Quill

Paragraph 15.18 is the gate. The USAF uses common formats for official and personal correspondence and memorandums. DAFH 33-337 outlines the detailed instructions; units may keep internally preferred styles. AFH 1's rule is consistency so the product represents the organization. Memorize when each format is used. Chapter 14 is the official memorandum; Chapter 15 is the personal letter; Chapter 16 samples USAF papers.

Correspondence formats AFH 1 lists

Paragraphs 15.19, 15.20, and 15.23 name three correspondence products.

IN TURN is sequential: later addressees see prior coordination. DISTRIBUTION sends the memorandum to a named list. AFH 1 lists both; they are not the same action.

Official memorandum

Paragraph 15.19 is short because Tongue and Quill holds the template. Testable AFH 1 facts are the audience (DoD, other federal agencies, and vendors or contractors when a personal letter is inappropriate) and the five addressing patterns above.

DAFH 33-337, Chapter 14 treats the official memorandum as the workhorse. The heading uses date, MEMORANDUM FOR, FROM, SUBJECT, and References when needed. Stationery is printed letterhead, computer-generated letterhead, or plain bond. Body text is commonly 10- to 12-point. Keep the signature block with the body; put bulky background in attachments. Local templates are allowed under 15.18 if they still carry those heading, text, and closing parts. SSgt and TSgt both draft memorandums and are expected to catch a broken package before it staffs.

Personal letter

Paragraph 15.20 is the contrast case. Use it when the mission is a personal touch, warmth, or sincerity, not when you are tasking a contractor or coordinating a policy. AFH 1's three named uses are praise, condolence, and sponsorship. Two rules belong to this format alone: keep it brief, preferably no longer than one page, and avoid acronyms. A condolence, welcome, or praise letter is a personal letter, not an official memorandum and not a staff package.

Air Force papers (paragraph 15.21)

AFH 1 lists six products for everyday staff work: point paper, talking paper, bullet background paper, background paper, position paper, and the staff study. Match format to task. Samples are in DAFH 33-337, Chapter 16.

Three checks answer almost every paper item: bullets (point, talking, bullet background) versus numbered full sentences (background, position, staff study); extemporaneous point paper versus planned talking paper; describe (background paper) versus advocate (position paper).

Staff study (15.22) and the staff package (15.23)

The staff study is listed with the papers and then given its own paragraph because it is both a format and a thought process. AFH 1 uses it for a single issue or several related issues. It analyzes a problem, draws conclusions, and makes recommendations. Format varies with complexity. Not every organization uses it routinely, but it is an accepted problem-solution report for the USAF and Joint Staff. The value of using a staff study as a thought process often outweighs the particular format used to communicate findings.

The staff package is how finished correspondence moves. Its cover is AF Form 1768, Staff Summary Sheet — SSS, Triple-S, or e-SSS — the first page. It condenses purpose, background, discussion, view of others (when applicable), recommendation, signature blocks, and overall contents.

Walk one issue up the chain: hallway question — point paper; scheduled brief — talking paper; chronology — bullet background or background paper; new policy — position paper; researched recommendation — staff study; coordination for signature — staff package with AF Form 1768. That is 15D at B for SSgt and TSgt.