What are some things to consider when writing an analyst comment?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Nov 2019 01:20:55 -0500

I will be writing one in under 2 weeks with little guidance. My ncoic asked for a list of course/training/schools I want to attend and my list was 15+ item long so he wants to see if I’m good enough at my mos to attend said courses.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2019 1:29 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Nov 2019 01:29:53 -0500

What are the schools you want to go to? Some of them are outside the ability of your NCO or unit to send you to, but your career counselor or branch manager can for some of those schools. Especially Airborne, if that's on your list.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2019 2:08 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Nov 2019 02:08:06 -0500

An analyst comment should encompass The Who, what, where, when, why, and how it is going to effect the commanders decision making process. But most importantly, provide relevant, timely AND predictive analysis to the commander.

Source: I brief the USARPAC commander and have had to do this for a long time.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2019 1:34 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Dec 2019 01:34:49 -0500

Usually your comment will be along the lines of BLUF, supporting facts/historical, 2nd & 3rd order effects, and then your conclusion that ties back towards your BLUF. **note that your comments are un bias **

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2019 11:15 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 11:15:25 -0500

Sequential effects. Don’t just analyze the first order and second order effects. Analyze the third, fourth, and fifth order effects. Anyone can be a news reporter and state the obvious of A = B. Being a great analyst is explaining why A= B which equals C which equals D.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2022 5:19 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 05:19:19 -0400

I have been in Intelligence for 15 years, prior to my enlistment as a 35F, as a 35F E-3 through E-5, and now as a 35D/A - and also in my civilian occupation. So I offer you these insights:

#1: Everyone thinks they're an expert and will disagree with how you write - If you write a lot, they'll say you lost them and that an Analyst Comment should be the Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF); if you write a little they'll say they don't understand how you came to that assessment and disagree with it entirely. So be prepared for that mentally.

#2: Substance of the Analyst Comment: Your analyst comment should be logical and provide a value add to the reader. It should
- Be based on what you have presented in great (or moderate) depth in your brief, and not some other topic. Throwing in assessment that have nothing to do with what you have presented will come across as confusing and will raise more questions than they will answer.
- Be forward looking and not just a summary of events. This thing happened - so what, what does it mean?
- Not be obvious! I cannot stress this enough. Saying something like "The enemy will likely continue to attempt to conduct attacks in the future," is not an analysis! It's the definition of an enemy!

#3: Structure of the Analyst Comment: There are a few "gotchas" I see regularly in briefs I read. To avoid these:
- Write you comment, then rewrite it in active voice.
- Do not try and sound more erudite (educated) or insightful than you are. Misused $5 words will make your reader hate you.
- Do not OVER water your analysis with "Possibly", "Could", "Might", "May", etc.- it makes your assessment look weak and is annoying to read - we get it... this is your assessment and might not happen. Conversely, do not proclaim something will certainly happen (just as a general rule).
- Be brief - 3-5 standard-sized sentences should be enough to et your point across. If it's not, you're probably trying to summarize too much at one time. You are better served making multiple Analyst Comments, and then making a generalized comment at the end that summarizes the other comments you have made.

I hope this helps, and I'd love to see what other people have to say.