by Grace Aldridge Foster, BRIEF Lab Senior Instructor
What is SITREP Storytelling?
When it comes to communication challenges in the armed forces, two topics consistently dominate the conversation: emails and SITREPs (Situation Reports). Over nearly a decade of teaching BRIEF 102 (Writing), I’ve discovered that while improving email communication is relatively straightforward, improving SITREPs is far more complex.
The reason? Every commander, director, or leader seems to have their own format, preference, and style, which leaves teams struggling to meet expectations. The result is a recurring pattern: SITREPs that are too long, disjointed, and focus more on activity than impact. Everyone knows a bad SITREP when they see one, just as they recognize a good one when they read it. The real question is: How can the military’s most-used communication tool go from continuously bad to consistently good?
Introducing BRIEF 202: SITREP Storytelling
After years of hearing the same challenge from clients, we decided to tackle the problem head-on. That’s why we created BRIEF 202 (SITREP Storytelling)—a course designed to help military teams write SITREPs that are not just functional but compelling. To develop this course, we partnered with Matt Yocum, a two-time U.S. Central Command Commander’s Action Group (CAG) Director and primary writer for multiple four-star generals. Matt’s experience, and his approach to storytelling, were invaluable.
Armed with tailored examples and The BRIEF Lab’s signature methodology, this course is the only one of its kind, specifically focused on improving SITREPs.
Why Storytelling Matters in SITREPs
When most people think of storytelling, they imagine engaging characters, gripping plots, and exciting anecdotes shared around a campfire or over a beer. SITREPs rarely come to mind. Yet, at its core, storytelling is about communicating clearly and effectively, even when the subject matter is routine or mundane. Writing a SITREP may involve standard information—status updates, readiness reports, or risk assessments—but presenting that information in a compelling way is a skill that can be learned. Successful storytelling in SITREPs comes down to three principles:
- Choosing the Right Details: Focus on what your audience needs to know.
- Structuring for Impact: Organize information so it is easy to follow.
- Crafting a Clear Message: Make the “so what?” unmistakable.
A well-written SITREP does more than convey information; it leaves the reader with a sense of understanding and even emotion. When your SITREP tells a story, your audience feels connected to the message, not just informed.
How BRIEF 202 Makes a Difference
The ethos of all our courses at The BRIEF Lab is simple: Deliver maximum value to your audience in exchange for their time. For SITREPs, this means writing with the busy commander or director in mind—someone who doesn’t have time to wade through unnecessary details. Building on the foundation of BRIEF 102, this course goes a step further by incorporating techniques that have worked for some of the military’s top leaders.
Additionally, the BRIEF Experiential Learning Technique (BELT) ensures the course is practical, engaging, and results-driven. Participants leave with actionable skills and real-world examples to improve their SITREPs immediately. Whether you’re leading a unit or part of a staff writing team, you’ll get the skills you need to communicate status, readiness, and risks in a way that engages your audience and makes your unit’s story shine. Contact us today to learn more about how BRIEF 202 can elevate your team’s SITREP writing.
