Hi all, I’m looking for a little advice with regards to citation writing. I’m going to be nomination someone but have no idea how to word or structure the citation and what information is relevant, what isn’t, etc… Any advice would be much appreciated. Even better would be an example citation but not holding out much hope for that!
Depends on what the citation is for. Have you checked ACP3?
Concentrate on what they do ‘over and above’ the norm - not routine stuff. A good one will require a few drafts and re-wording lots to say what you want in the best (and most succinct) fashion.
Needless to say the spelling and grammar should be spot on, and the actual presentation of the hard copy citation should be good too - protect it (don’t fold) in the post.
Make sure you get plenty of superlatives in there, exceptional, outstanding, unequalled etc too. It has to jump off the page at the reader, just saying they’re good or have been doing something a long time isn’t enough. I had a Commandant Air Cadets Commendation citation somewhere, I’ll see if I can find it and pm to you
PM sent
Depends a bit what you are nominating them for, but long service even in a ‘normal’ role is fine - as long as that long service is well beyond what most volunteers do. I’ve nominated two for LL’s awards now and both were just a question of doing what lots of people do - one was a CI, one was a long serving OC RAF section - but in both cases for >20 years. Both were awarded as requested, no problems.
Harder if you are looking for MBE or similar - some greater form of community engagement or doing the job for a long time in difficult circumstances (e.g. ATC sqn in ‘hard’ council estate) would be called for.
Along with the above advice, make sure that you get the effect that the individual’s contribution has been (above and beyond as mentioned above) - particularly if the overall effect has reached beyond the Squadron and brought the ACO to the attention of significant others. I successfully nominated a CI and AWO for a DCLA and AoC 22Gp Commendation respectively.