[calljack]

I wrote some instruction manuals for military equipment we manufactured. The general rule was to write it at a sixth grade reading and comprehension level. And this was for a ground based portable IFF system.

[68skylark]

I've been taught that most people are most comfortable reading text that's about 4 years behind their highest educational level. So when writing for high school grads, aim for a 8th grade level. For college grads, aim for 12th grade, etc.

If you can explain the IFF system using a 6th grade reading level -- something that's probably difficult to do, but not impossible -- I'm sure that our soldiers in the field had an easier time understanding what you wrote and using the system correctly. When the troops are cold and wet and dirty and short on sleep, anything you can do to make their job easier is a great idea.

[Eagle Eye]

The best manuals that the Army ever had we actually comic book style. It was a brilliant idea since no one really enjoys reading tech manuals or updates.

PM Magazine had a crusty old motor sergeant and voluptuous Connie Rodd as two mainstays.

We always had copies and it was a great way to get the troops to read the updates and changes.

But, of course, someone had to report it as something done because we were too dumb to read.

It was just a way to make a dull topic readable.