Writer's Guide for Article Submissions

Aims and Scope:

The Army Civilian Journal (ACJ) 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. ACJ supports the Army’s mission by fostering informed dialogue, professional debate, and intellectual growth of the Army Civilian Corps.

ACJ 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 Manuscripts must be original, unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere.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) and include an abstract of no more than 200 words.
  3. Authors must provide a brief biography (~75 words) and contact information.
  4. Submissions will be blind reviewed by an editor or editorial board of subject-matter experts.
  5. ACJ may edit accepted articles for clarity and length.

Important Dates:

  • Submission Deadline for the Inaugural Issue: [Insert Date]
  • Notification of Acceptance: [Insert Date]
  • Publication Date: [Insert Date]

How to Submit:

Submit your correctly-formatted (see formatting guidelines below) to [Insert Email Address]. Include “Army Civilian Journal Submission” in the subject line.

Editorial Board:

[Insert information]

Contact Information:

For questions or additional information, please contact the editorial team at [Insert Email Address] or [Insert Phone Number].

Contribute to the conversation shaping the future of the Army Civilian Corps. Submit your work today!

ACJ Style Guide

  1. General Requirements
    • Length: Do not exceed the submission category maximum word count.
    • 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 except for the title page and endnotes.
    • Images: Submit images as separate files. Use placeholders in the text (e.g., IMAGE 1 ABOUT HERE).
  2. Structure
    • Title Page and Abstract: Include the manuscript title, author name(s), institutional affiliation, contact information, and an abstract of no more than 200 words.
    • 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.
    • Font and Spacing: Use Times New Roman, 12-point font, double-spaced except for the title page and endnotes.
    • Images: Submit images as separate files. Use placeholders in the text (e.g., IMAGE 1 ABOUT HERE).
  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. Do not use ibid for consecutive citations.
  4. Writing Style
    • Clarity: Write for a general audience using plain, professional language. Avoid insider jargon and overly complex language. Most manuscripts should score 12 or less on the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level test.
    • 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 except:
    • Capitalize the word “Soldier” when it refers to a US Army Soldier.
    • Capitalize the word “Family” when it refers to US Army Family or Family members.
    • Capitalize the word “Civilian” when it refers to Army Civilians and is used in conjunction with Soldier and/or Family.
    • 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

For questions or clarification, contact the editorial team at [Insert Email Address].