Writer's Guide for Article Submissions

Aims and Scope:

The Army Civilian Professional Journal (ACPJ) seeks to advance the professional knowledge, capabilities, and leadership of the Army Civilian Corps. This refereed publication shares innovative ideas, lessons learned, and scholarly research on topics relevant to Army civilians. ACPJ supports the Army’s mission by fostering informed dialogue, professional debate, and intellectual growth of the Army Civilian Corps.

ACPJ invites submissions that explore a variety of topics, including:

  • Leadership, management, and decision-making within the Army Civilian Corps.
  • Integration of Army civilians into multi-domain operations and organizational effectiveness.
  • Army civilians and the Army profession.
  • Professional development, talent management, and workforce modernization.
  • Historical and contemporary case studies highlighting the role of Army civilians.
  • Ethical challenges and considerations in the civilian workforce.
  • Applications of emerging technologies and data in civilian roles.
  • Any other topic that improves Army Civilian Corps effectiveness.

Submission Categories:

  • Research Articles: Original scholarly research (~3,000–8,000 words
  • Case Studies: In-depth examinations of relevant organizational challenges or successes (~2,000–3,500 words).
  • Perspectives: Thought-provoking insights on current issues affecting Army civilians (~1,000–2,500 words).
  • Book Reviews: Critical reviews of recent books on leadership, management, or defense topics (~500–1,000 words).

Submission Guidelines:

  1. Manuscripts must be original, unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere.
  2. All submissions should follow the formatting and citation guidelines (below), include a biography of no more than 100 words, and include contact information.
  3. Submissions will be blind reviewed by an editorial board of subject-matter experts.
  4. ACPJ may edit accepted articles for clarity and length.

How to Submit:

Submit your correctly formatted article to usarmy.leavenworth.tradoc.mbx.armyu-amsc-civilian-journal@army.mil. Include “Army Civilian Professional Journal Submission” in the subject line.

Contact Information:

For questions or additional information, please contact the editorial team at usarmy.leavenworth.tradoc.mbx.armyu-amsc-civilian-journal@army.mil. Contribute to the conversation shaping the future of the Army Civilian Corps. Submit your work today!

ACPJ Style Guide

  1. General Requirements
    • File Format: Submit manuscript as a Microsoft Word document (.docx).
    • Margins: Set all margins to 1 inch.
    • Font and Spacing: Use Times New Roman, 12-point font, double-spaced.
    • Images: Submit images as separate files. Use placeholders in the text (e.g., IMAGE 1 ABOUT HERE).
  2. Structure
    • Headings: Use descriptive headings and subheadings to organize the manuscript. Align them with the paper’s outline and content.
    • Introduction, Main Body, and Conclusion: Structure manuscripts with a clear introduction, logically organized main body, and a succinct conclusion.
  3. Citation Style
    • Cite all sources using the Chicago Manual of Style, 18th Edition full endnote citation style.
    • Endnotes: Number consecutively. Place endnotes on a new page after the last page of text. Do not use footnotes or in-text parenthetical citations. Use a full note for the first citation and shortened notes for subsequent citations.
  4. Writing Style
    • Clarity: Write for a general audience using plain, professional language. Avoid insider jargon and overly complex language.
    • Active Voice: Prefer active voice for clarity and directness.
    • Conciseness: Avoid redundant phrases, unnecessary words, and excessive prepositions.
    • Concrete Language: Be specific. Replace vague terms with precise descriptions.
    • Tone: Maintain a formal, confident, and professional tone.
  5. Formatting Specifics
    • Block Quotations: Indent quotations exceeding four lines by 0.5 inches. Do not use quotation marks for these passages.
    • Tables and Figures: Provide tables and figures in the manuscript body. Number them sequentially and include descriptive titles. Provide source information below each table or figure.
    • Abbreviations: Spell out the full term on first use, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses. Use the abbreviation consistently thereafter.
    • Military Terminology: Adhere to Department of Defense and Army standards for military terms.
    • Capitalization: Follow Chicago 18th Edition’s capitalization guidelines.
    • Point of View: Use first person to refer to yourself as the author.
    • Gender: Use gender-neutral language to refer to a person of unspecified gender.
  6. Contact Information

    7. For questions or clarification, contact the editorial team at usarmy.leavenworth.tradoc.mbx.armyu-amsc-civilian-journal@army.mil.