tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post8157054036881468681..comments2024-03-28T21:39:05.175+08:00Comments on Senang Diri: Informing the People: Bolstering C2D during WW2David Boeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11401913253357584603noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-17718344949706240152010-08-18T13:06:49.874+08:002010-08-18T13:06:49.874+08:00MINDEF/SAF doesn't lack the brainpower or budg...MINDEF/SAF doesn't lack the brainpower or budget to roll-out quality stuff. It lacks commitment.<br /><br />Book committees whether for ORD magazines or unit anniversaries are largely comprised of officers/WOSEs arrowed the task who can't wait to get the burden off their backs.<br /><br />In my old job, some NTU journalism interns showed me their self-published work and the quality of these short run books in terms of story content, layout and picture selection eclipses many SAF unit publications.<br /><br />When the commitment is there, the SAF can produce outstanding stuff. <br /><br />The Tengah Air Base anniversary book, The Cutting Edge of the Air Force, showcases the quality of work the SAF can achieve if the heart is there and when higher command gives authors freedom to manoeuvre.David Boeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11401913253357584603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-32445589225731528552010-08-18T01:42:11.443+08:002010-08-18T01:42:11.443+08:00Writing pamphlets, or books about events in wartim...Writing pamphlets, or books about events in wartime to keep morale going and citizenry informed is an underrated event - Few realise its importance until long after the event. I would say the same goes to such publications in peacetime.<br /><br />I find this post essential reading for many, if not all SAF units. It is a well kept tradition that every time a unit reaches a milestone year, some commemorative publication must accompany the celebration. It is immediately noticeable that the priority does not go towards the quality of writing or the accuracy of research. Much more goes into irrelevant concerns such as timing of the book, amount of photos, design and the ultimate bane - PAFF must be able to clear the book together with the necessary security clearance departments. There is this rigid aligning of messaging that simply kills off any bout of creativity left in the Officers and Specialists "assigned" to writing it. They are more careful about preserving their career mileage by writing "safe" stuff. After all, they are all trained to fight, not to write. You might say that staff officers should then do the writing - but then staff officers are concerned with decision papers and papers limited to 4 pages in length. Hardly creative writing by any measure.<br /><br />Inspiring through writing is a very different exercise. It requires a skill that I sometimes readily believe to be innate and not something that you can pick up after a few attempts. <br /><br />When the new Specialists and Warrant Officers Institute was launched, I was one of the Officers looking through the material. I was horrified by the lack of proper research, the haphazard arrangement and the absolutely melodramatic writing. When I tried to speak with the relevant senior officers - I was brushed away, despite the fact that I was trying to do my job. One particular Senior Officer accused me openly of putting in subjective and unjustified opinions and that I was delaying the book.<br /><br />Ignoring my anger at the humiliating treatment I received, I was further disappointed to realise the lack of proper guidance given to the 3rd Sergeant put in charge of writing it. He was the one-man show who had gone about interviewing various WOs and doing his own research (how much material is there out there for him if he wasn't even given proper guidance to finding it?). <br /><br />I was impressed by his sincerity at getting the book done at first - But then got disheartened later on when i realised that he had his own interests. He got to rub shoulders with the Flag Ranks because of his efforts after all. <br /><br />It was published and released in limited quantities - I thank God for that. But really, if we want good publications out there, we have to trust in good writers with a fair sense of how best to bring out military history. This is all the more important amidst a citizenry that finds NS the 'bitter pill to swallow'.FinalFivehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00257178519784703985noreply@blogger.com