FIST.packs a punch.

The graphic article "FIST" in the March-April issue brought in a record number of e-mails to the editor (and they're still arriving). So far, we've received one e-mail that lauded the idea of trying new things but felt the cartoon was "forced," and one phone call asking, "What's the point?" but otherwise all comments have been positive. Below we print a selection. Thanks to everyone who wrote in.

I just wanted to write and say "BRAVO!" That is good stuff there ... please keep 'em coming!

Jay Breuer, Test & Evaluation Engineer

Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense 

Congrats on intelligently, resourcefully, and, yes, humorously delivering the message on the stifling effects of bureaucracy--and the real merits of slicing through red tape.... As I've said previously ["From Our Readers, DAT & L, January-February 2006], this is the consciousness-raising phase of the revolution.

Dick Field

TMA/OSD

Can't say enough great things about the latest journal. The "Cartoon Classic" says more in its short 16 panels than many print articles say in as many pages. Thanks for supporting out-of-the-box contributors.

Maj. Phil Garrant, USAF, Chief

Advanced Airborne Sensors Branch

On target and long overdue. We have been trying to do the same in the space business with SmallSats, single mission vehicles with limited lifetimes and objectives and very limited costs in comparison.

John D. Griffiths, Col., USAF (Ret.)

Exactly the type of short-and-to-the-point piece I need to get my engineering staff to understand how big-picture considerations translate into things they have an effect on during their daily work. I may not be able to motivate them to read long articles, but this "entertainment as education" goes a long way toward bringing them onto the same page with senior management.

The occasional (or regular!) addition of "attractive" material like this helps broaden the audience, and might even entice some of my younger project and mid-level program managers (who might not otherwise be inclined to read them) to take a second look at the surrounding articles.

Ray Harwood, Director of Engineering

Tucson Embedded Systems 

I posted some copies of the FIST cartoon, and the process Nazis are enraged--they're rioting in the VTC room! Someone just threw a burning copy of Hammer's Beyond Reengineering: How the Process-Centered Organization Is Changing Our Work and Our Lives through my window. I'm falling back to the vault, pulling the pins on the claymores, and burning all the crypto!

Lt. Col. Harry J. Hewson, USMC, Program Manager

NAVAIRSYSCOM 

Another great article (cartoon-style this time ... FIST) in the latest issue of Defense AT & L.... very refreshing for what could be a dry topic. Thanks to [the authors] for the innovation.

Jim Keen, Capt., USN (Ret), Ops Officer

NAVAIR 

It made me chuckle, and laughter is the catalyst of creativity. Keep up the good work.

Gary Markovits, President

Innovation Business Partners

On target, and actually subtle--compared to how bad it really is in the AQ world these days.

Glenn M. Scott, Principal

Technology, Strategies & Alliances

I like the idea of innovative and different things, but this one didn't really do much for me. It got the idea across and the artwork was great; I just felt that it was forced.... I am just too much of a comic book purist, I guess. It was certainly worth a try and I salute you for the effort.

Wayne Turk, Consultant