Rate Training Manual update

Hello everyone ... just thought I would fill everyone in on a future project that will affect all MCs and hopefully improve training and professional development. A group of subject-matter experts will come together next month to build a new MC rate training manual. More to follow on this, but I will try to keep everyone posted.

Before I close, however, I want to send a shout out to MC2 Nardelito Gervacio for a great photo ... Thanks, Shipmate!

Have a good one!

Fireworks over USS Ohio!

Want to give a shout out to the PAO for SUBPAC here in Pearl Harbor, LCDR Dave Benham, who shot this photo on the Fourth of July. Great shot, Sir.

How do you shoot fireworks?

Well, hello there shipmates. I know it has been quite some time since my last post, but the 4th of July holiday came and went, as did my last duty week here on the Pacific Fleet staff. I can tell you though that my love for grammar and writing still remains, and I am constantly seeing things that just make me wonder. However, today I want to jump back the most-recent holiday and ask all of you great photogs out there -- how in the world you get those great fireworks shots? So, if anyone out there would like to share that would be great! Speaking of fireworks, today's photo comes from MC1 Jason Swink from right here in Pearl Harbor.

Thanks,

Senior

Attention to detail, Shipmates

Aloha! The weekend has passed, yet it passed too quickly. We need to talk shop, however. So, here goes.
Contrary to most folks' thoughts, I do not spend every waking moment thinking about grammar and writing. But, I do love the fact that I am always learning something about grammar and writing. We should all strive to learn something new every day. I don't think anyone would disagree with that.

But learning something new isn't why I like to tackle everyday grammar and writing problems. No one is perfect. I don't think anyone would disagree with that either. We all make mistakes. The English language is tough.

Okay, enough beating around the bush. I am here tonight to talk about attention to detail. Sure, we all should learn something every day. And, we recognize that no one is perfect. But, striving for perfection in our writing should be an everyday goal for all MCs.

Today, in a public affairs product, it was discovered that the creator spelled the name of one of our ships incorrectly. Just the other day, I noticed on Navy.mil that photos were submitted with the photographer's ship's name misspelled. The ship this photog serves on EVERY DAY. The worst part of it was no one in the chop chain noticed, not even the folks at Navy Visual News.

Okay, enough preaching. Today I challenge everyone to pay attention to detail in our writing. Always let someone edit your product. Don't be offended by the edits. Recognize we are a team and it our job collectively to tell the Navy story.

With that said, I have to send kudos out to MCSN Adam K. Thomas, whose photo is featured today. Nice shot.

Until next time,

Write on!

pronoun-antecedent agreement

Aloha, Shipmates!


Here we are again on Let's Talk Shop! Tonight I wanted to discuss pronouns and their antecedents. Wow, it's hard enough spelling antecedent. Anyway, this is one grammar issue I see that runs wild in our Navy writing.
What do we mean by pronoun-antecedent agreement? A pronoun and its antecedent must agree when both are singular or both are plural.
Here are some examples:
Collective Nouns: collective nouns identify a group, such as a jury, a committee, a team, etc. Typically, collective nouns take a singular pronouns.
For example:
WRONG ANSWER: X-division gave their recommendation for cleaning stations.
RIGHT ANSWER: X-division gave its recommendation for cleaning stations.
Other possible answer: Members of X-division gave their recommendations for cleaning stations.

What if you need to use a generic pronoun to identify someone?
For example:
- A DINFOS student must study hard if they want to succeed. CAN'T USE THIS ONE!
- A DINFOS student must study hard if he wants to succeed. CORRECT. Some may say this is sexist though. Your thoughts?
- Best way: DINFOS students must study hard if they want to succeed.


Well, that's it today. I hope everyone has a great weekend. Oh yeah, today's photo was taken by MC1 Michael Moriatis. Thanks, Shipmate.

Until next time. Write on!

The just-gotta-use-it hyphen

Aloha, Shipmates ...

It's Tuesday here in Hawaii and time to talk about the hyphen here on the MC blog. Basic usage information can be found in the AP Stylebook, but I thought I would pull out the highlights and post them here. So, here goes:


1. Hyphens are joiners.

2. We use them to avoid ambiguity or to form a single idea from two or more words.

3. Use is far from standardized. It is optional in most cases, a matter of taste, judgement and style sense.

4. AP guidance does not address all possible uses. Use the first listed entry in Webster's New World College Dictionary if not listed in the AP Stylebook.

5. Some examples.

• avoid ambiguity: The president will speak to small-business men. We would not call them small business men as a size reference.



• compound modifiers: first-quarter touchdown, better-qualified candidate, a know-it-all attitude, etc.



• After a to-be verb: The children are soft-spoken.



• Two-thought compounds: serio-economic, socio-economic

One specific instance in which we would not use the hyphen is with -ly adverbs. How many times have you used this phrase -"regulary-scheduled deployment"? This is not correct. The correct usage is "regularly scheduled deployment". Why? This is so as we expect these words to be modifying the word that follows. (Are the quotation marks used correctly here? Find out soon)

Today's photo is brought to us by MC3 Casey H. Kyhl. Thanks Shipmate. Kyhl's photo can be found on Navy Newsstand.

Until next time. Write on!

Aboard or On Board?

Aloha, shipmates, and happy Monday!

I had planned today to discuss the use of -ly adverbs and the punctuation of such when used as a compound modifier. However, something else came up that I want to talk about today. That is aboard vs. on board. Remember, when in doubt, check it out. This time, the place to check it out is on the Navy style Web page. Here's what this fountain of knowledge said:


These two terms mean nearly the same thing and in some uses are interchangeable. "Aboard" is the preferred usage. Use "on board" as two words, but hyphenate on board when used as an adjective.

"Aboard" means on board, on, in or into a ship. The crew is aboard the ship. An on-board medical team uses the on-board computer. BUT NOT: The Sailor is going on board the ship.


Also, a Sailor is stationed "on," "at," "is serving with" or "is assigned to" a ship. A Sailor does not serve "in" a ship. A ship is "based at" or "homeported at" a specific place. A plane is "stationed at" or is "aboard" a ship; is "deployed with" or is "operating from" a ship. Squadrons are "stationed at" air stations. Air wings are "deployed with" ships.


I hope that clears up that question ...

Before we close, I want to highlight today's selected photo, which comes to us from Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kristopher Wilson. This photo cracked me up!

Until next time ... Write on!