Click here to access the article: Staff Tools and Their Discontents 

Every professional has their 'tools of the trade', those implements they cannot do without in order to perform their tasks. Some may consider tools of the trade for military service as those items carried by the combat soldier, for example their weapon, night fighting equipment or navigational aid. In this article, Ray Kimbell explains that there are also specific tools of the trade for a military staff officer that are 'required for victory' in their role. Ray describes what he sees are the four staff officer tools of the trade - briefings, information papers, talking points and readouts. There may be other 'tools of the trade' that are unique to a staff's role in their organisation. It is important to understand these tools and then master their use.