EPR writing class to enforce bullet content, impact

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Raughton
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. - --  Around 10 Airmen participated in an enlisted performance report writing class held at the education center Sept. 9.

The monthly course, developed to standardize EPR writing across the 2nd Bomb Wing, teaches Airmen the fundamentals of bullet-writing.

"The overall goal of this class teaches Airmen how to create the most impactful EPR," said Master Sgt. Marquet Johnson, career assistance advisor and EPR writing class instructor. "If you use the fundamentals of writing an action, impact and result, you can write an excellent bullet."

With the elimination of numbered EPRs and firewall fives, the content and impact of a bullet takes center-stage in a performance evaluation.

"We want to strengthen the EPR writing across the Barksdale installation," Johnson said. "A lot of folks don't know how to convey what they need to convey, so a lot of the bullets sound watered down, versus being impactful."

An EPR is designed to have content, whether a number is assigned to it or not, and if strong content is lacking, then that Airman will be an average individual, he added.

"The more impactful content, the higher you can excel above your peers," Johnson said.

While the course is offered monthly to Airmen, it's also accessible to everyone in the NCO Professional Enhancement Program. There are currently no plans for the course to be introduced into the First Term Airmen's Course due to mandated in-processing curriculums.

"The [class] is designed for anybody," Johnson said. "Airmen have to provide their supervisors with bullets for the EPR, Form 1206 or below-the-zone promotion package. You're responsible for providing those bullets to your supervisor so that you can be represented the right way."

One such airman attended the course to prepare himself for future responsibilities.

"I recently was selected for staff sergeant so now I'm trying to look more into supervisory roles and of course, I'll have to know how to write EPRs," said Senior Airman Justin Countryman, 2nd Maintenance Squadron phase inspection journeyman. "What better way for me to learn how to write EPRs than to go to a specific class about bullet writing?"

Countryman advises Airmen to write down what they do as in-depth as possible.

"Many times I would forget and have to reflect back and attempt to write all the information," he said. "If I'd just written it right then, it would have been easier."

By participating in the EPR writing class, practicing bullet writing consistently and make the most of their time in the military, Airmen are equipped to be more competitive in the Air Force amidst shrinking budgets and force management practices.

"If there's no impact, you won't stand out," said Johnson. "There are a lot of Airmen working their tails off every day and we need to make sure they are recognized whether it's quarterly or annual awards or at the Air Force level."

For more information on the EPR writing class, contact Master Sgt. Marquet Johnson at 456-4957.