Why is using active voice preferred over passive voice in military writing?

Using active voice is preferred in military writing because it clarifies the subject's role in a sentence, making the message more direct and easier to understand. In active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action, which emphasizes accountability and responsibility. This alignment is crucial in military contexts where clarity and decisiveness are paramount for conveying orders, instructions, or reports. When the subject is clear, personnel can quickly comprehend who is responsible for actions, which is vital in operational settings.

The other aspects of military communication, such as formality or the length of sentences, are secondary to the emphasis on clarity and directness. While using active voice may sometimes lead to shorter, more precise sentences, the primary focus of military writing is to ensure that roles and actions are unambiguous. Adjectives, although useful, are not a foundational component in this context; the goal is to communicate facts and directions effectively rather than embellish the language.