A six-pack of tips for defense AT&L authors.

1 Look at back issues of the magazine. If we printed an article on a particular topic a couple of issues ago, we're unlikely to print another for a while--unless it offers brand new information or a different point of view.

2 We look on articles much more favorably if they follow our author guidelines on format, length, and presentation. You'll find them at <www.dau.mil/pubs/dam/DAT&L%20author%20 guidelines.pdf>

3 Number the pages in your manuscript and put your name on every page. It makes our life so ... much easier if we happen to drop a stack of papers and your article's among them.

4 Do avoid acronyms as far as possible, but if you must use them, define them--every single one, however obvious you think it is. We get testy if we have to keep going to acronym finder.com, especially when we discover 10 equally applicable possibilities for one acronym.

5 Fax the Certification as a Work of the U.S. Government form when you e-mail your article because we can't review your manuscript until we have the release. Download it at <www.dau.mil/pubs/dam/DAT&L%20certification.pdf:> Please don't make us chase you down for it. And please fill it out completely, even if you've written for us before.

6 We'll acknowledge receipt of your submission within three or four days and e-mail you a publication decision in four to five weeks. No need to remind us. We really will. Scout's honor.