We Asked, You Answered
A review of our spring idea competition, how has professional writing impacted you?
As many of our readers may know, our idea competition launched on April 8 concluded in early May. We received sixteen submissions answering the prompt, how has professional writing impacted or helped you? We are thrilled with the outcome. Each submission revealed a personal anecdote on writing in the force and how the author contributed or learned a valuable lesson to carry with them for the remainder of their career.
ICYMI, the guidelines were as follows:
Your Mission
Submit a short anecdote that describes the concrete impact professional writing had on you, your unit, or your mission. Your story might highlight top-down communication, sharing ideas or lessons laterally, circulating ideas that might otherwise not reach top-level leaders, inspiration from the past, or how improved critical thinking or writing helped you.
Submission Guidelines
Word Limit: 800 words or less.
Suspense: Submit by 8 May 2025.
Focus: Your submission should be a single, clear story of how professional writing helped you, your unit, or your mission.
Format:
Please submit your anecdote in a Word document (.docx).
At the top of the document, include your name, rank (if applicable), and preferred email address.
Participants: Open to all, including soldiers, Army civilians, and other stakeholders in professional military discourse.
Evaluation Criteria
Clarity & Relevance: Does your anecdote clearly explain how professional writing was used and why it mattered?
Impact: Does your story demonstrate a tangible benefit—for individuals, units, or the Army at large?
Specificity: Is your example detailed enough that others could learn from or replicate its success?
Originality: We want real-life anecdotes that haven’t been widely shared or published before.
Of the submissions we received, you can expect to see a dozen or so published here on the Harding Project Substack. Our authors ranged from MSGs to LTCs to retirees, each sharing an individualized experience with Army writing.
We will highlight our three winners this Thursday, June 5th, and next Tuesday, June 10th. Please be on the lookout and consider writing for future idea competitions—you’ll help strengthen and expand the Army’s professional writing culture!