How Technical Writers Keep Military History from Being Lost in Translation

Memorial Day is a time to honor those who gave their lives in service to the United States. While we often reflect on their bravery through stories, monuments, and ceremonies, there’s another, less recognized group helping to preserve military history—technical writers.

Yes, you read that right. The people meticulously documenting procedures, weapon specifications, and field manuals play a crucial role in ensuring that military history is not only remembered but also understood. Let’s dive into how technical writing contributes to preserving U.S. military history.

Documenting Military Strategies and Tactics

The U.S. military doesn’t just operate on gut feelings and Hollywood-style improvisation (despite what action movies might suggest). Every mission, maneuver, and standard operating procedure (SOP) is carefully documented. Technical writers ensure that these details are recorded accurately so future generations can study and learn from past conflicts.

• Field Manuals and Training Guides: Military strategies evolve over time, but those changes don’t happen in a vacuum. Manuals from past wars provide critical insights into what worked, what didn’t, and why.
• After-Action Reports: These reports offer detailed accounts of battles, operations, and exercises, helping historians and military analysts understand tactical decisions.
• War Diaries and Logs: While often maintained by officers, technical writers help ensure these records are clear and organized. They also work with archivists to ensure the documents are properly archived for future analysis.

Preserving Military Technology and Innovation

From the first musket to modern drone warfare, military technology has come a long way—and someone has to document all those changes. That’s where technical writers come in.

• Weapons and Equipment Manuals: Think about all the intricate details of operating a fighter jet, a submarine, or even a simple radio. These manuals ensure that military personnel can use their equipment effectively, but they also serve as historical records of technological advancements.
• Blueprints and Specifications: Technical documentation of tanks, aircraft, and naval vessels not only assist engineers and maintenance crews but also provides historians with a roadmap of military innovation.
• Declassified Documents: Many military technologies are classified for years, but once they become public, technical documentation allows historians to analyze their impact on warfare.

Translating Complex Military Jargon for Civilians

Military communication is filled with acronyms and specialized terms that make even seasoned professionals pause for a second. (If you think corporate jargon is bad, try deciphering a military operations report.) Technical writers help translate these complex details into accessible language for historians, researchers, and the general public.

• Museum Exhibits and Historical Archives: Many museums rely on technical documentation to create accurate and informative exhibits on military history.
• Books and Educational Materials: Writers help distill dense military documents into engaging educational content for students and scholars.
• Interviews and Oral Histories: Technical writers often assist in transcribing and organizing firsthand accounts from veterans, ensuring that their experiences are preserved accurately.

Why It Matters

Without technical writers, military history would be a jumbled mess of fading memories, indecipherable documents, and lost knowledge. Their work ensures that the strategies, technologies, and personal stories of the armed forces remain accessible, understandable, and preserved for future generations.
So, this Memorial Day, while we honor those who served and sacrificed, let’s also give a nod to the meticulous minds behind the manuals—the technical writers who help keep military history alive. Because without them, we’d all be staring at an ancient tank and wondering, “How did this thing even work?”

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References

Griffiths, Zachary and Theo Lipsky. “Introducing the Harding Project: Renewing Professional Military Writing.” Modern War Institute at West Point. 9/5/23. Accessed 3/25/25. https://mwi.westpoint.edu/introducing-the-harding-project-renewing-professional-military-writing

“The Smithsonian Institution’s Guide to Interpretive Writing for Exhibitions.” The Smithsonian. Accessed 3/25/25. https://exhibits.si.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/SI-Guide-to-Interpretive-Writing-for-Exhibitions.pdf