Plain Language

Official DoD Plain Language Website

 

 

Helpful Resources

Training

Writing Guides

Compliance Reports

Progress and efforts to comply with the Act will be posted annually in our compliance reports. Archived compliance report page Click Here 

About Plain Language

The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires federal agencies to write "clear Government communication that the public can understand and use." President Obama also emphasized the importance of establishing "a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration" in his January 21, 2009, Memorandum on Transparency and Open Government.

The Department of Defense is committed to writing new documents in plain language, using the Federal Plain Language Guidelines in accordance with the Office Management and Budget Memorandum M_11-15, "Final Guidance on Implementing the Plain Writing Act of 2010."

Senior Agency Official

The Performance Improvement Officer / Director of Administration and Management is the Senior DoD Official for plain language. DoD policy for implementing the Plain Writing Act of 2010 can be found in DoD Instruction 5025.13, "DoD Plain Language Program."

Plain Language Committee

DoD has organized a committee of Plain Language points of contact from different Components and organizations within DoD to:

  • Assist in the review and revision of policy and guidance.
  • Monitor DoD compliance with the Plain Writing Act.
  • Share best practices and resources.

Public Comments & Feedback

We need your help to comply with this Act! Let us know if you have trouble understanding our documents or the pages on our website: Contact Us.

Nominating a DoD Document for Plain Language Review

Download the attached PDF to submit a DoD form for plain language review: Plain Language Document Review Form.

DoD Instruction 5025.13

The DoD Plain Language Implementation Plan, DoDI 5025.13, has been published on the DoD Issuances Website.