--- title: "Copy-paste AI prompts for the military community" description: "Copy-paste AI prompts for evals, resumes, interviews, VA paperwork, the GI Bill, admin writing and scam checks. Each one says what never to paste." canonical: https://aiexplainedplainly.com/prompts/ source: "AI Explained Plainly" --- # Copy-paste AI prompts Tap a prompt to open it, or copy it straight away. Each one says what never to paste. **Before every paste:** swap real names, units and locations for placeholders like [NAME], [UNIT], [LOCATION], [DATE] and [NUMBER]. Never paste your SSN, DoD ID, medical records, or anything classified or CUI (Controlled Unclassified Information). On duty, use the AI tool your command approves, and your command's policy wins over anything here. Already pasted something you shouldn't have? Deleting the chat doesn't pull it back. Tell your security manager or OPSEC coordinator. ## Evals & awards Turn your own notes into bullets that hold up, without inventing anything. ### Award bullets from your notes *An award write-up is due and you only have rough notes.* ``` You're helping me draft award bullets from my own notes. Rules: - Use ONLY the facts in my notes. Don't add numbers, results or scope that aren't there. - If a bullet needs a result I didn't give, write [NEED RESULT]. - Keep placeholders like [NAME], [UNIT] and [NUMBER] exactly as written. - Format: action verb, what was done, then the impact. - About 20 words per bullet. No acronyms unless they're in my notes. - Give me 3 versions of each: plain, punchy and formal. Then list any vague claims and one question I should answer to make each one stronger. NOTES: [paste your scrubbed notes] ``` *Safe paste:* swap names, units and locations for [NAME], [UNIT] and [LOCATION]. Never paste an SSN, DoD ID, operational details or CUI. ### Eval wording from your notes (EPB, NCOER, FITREP) *Eval season, and your notes need to become EPB, NCOER or FITREP wording.* ``` You're helping me draft military evaluation wording from my own notes. Format: [EPB performance statements / NCOER bullets / FITREP comments]. Rules: - Use ONLY the facts in my notes. Never add numbers, results, awards or scope that aren't there. - If a line needs a result I didn't give, write [NEED RESULT]. - Keep placeholders like [NAME] and [UNIT] exactly as written. - Past tense. Start with the action, then the result. - Everyday language. No acronyms unless they're in my notes. - Give me 2 versions of each line. NOTES: [paste your scrubbed notes] ``` *Safe paste:* notes only, never the eval itself. Swap names, units and locations for placeholders, and leave out IDs, mission names, readiness numbers, and medical, family or disciplinary details. ### Fit it to the block *Your bullet runs long and has to fit the block.* ``` Here are the formatting rules for this block, copied from my service's current instruction or form: [paste the rules or a blank template, no names or unit info] Rewrite the lines above to fit these rules exactly. Count characters or lines if there's a limit. If something has to be cut to fit, tell me what you cut. ``` *Safe paste:* public rules or a blank template only, with no names, units or locations. If the AI and the instruction disagree, the instruction is right. ## Jobs & interviews Translate what you did in uniform, then get ready for the interview. ### Military jargon into civilian resume bullets *Civilian recruiters don't understand your military job titles and acronyms.* ``` I'm transitioning from the military to a civilian job. Translate the experience below into civilian resume language. Rules: - Use ONLY what's in my text. Don't add skills, tools, numbers or results I didn't mention. - Replace military terms and acronyms with civilian equivalents. If you're not sure what a term means, ask me. - Write 3-5 bullets: action verb, what I did, the result if I gave one. - Write [ADD NUMBER?] instead of inventing a number. - Keep placeholders like [UNIT] and [LOCATION] as written. - After the bullets, list each military term you translated and what you translated it to. MY EXPERIENCE: [paste scrubbed text from your evals, VMET or notes] ``` *Safe paste:* don't paste whole documents; your VMET carries Privacy Act data. Remove your SSN, DoD ID, date of birth, address and other people's names, and swap units and locations for [UNIT] and [LOCATION]. ### Sort your job by task, not by title *Your job title doesn't explain what you actually did all day.* ``` Below is a list of tasks from my job, with rough hours per week. Don't guess my job title, unit or location, and don't add tasks. Sort each task into one of three groups: A) AI could draft this and I'd check it B) AI could help with part of it C) Mostly needs a person (judgment, relationships, hands-on work, or being accountable for the result) Give a one-line reason for each. Then list the tasks you're least sure about, and why. This is a rough sort, not a prediction, so don't present it as one. TASKS: [general task] - [hours/week] [general task] - [hours/week] ``` *Safe paste:* describe tasks in general terms. No names, units, locations, system names, or anything about capabilities or readiness. ### Aim your bullets at one real job posting *You found a job you want and need your resume aimed at it.* ``` Here's a job posting and my current resume bullets. 1. List the 8-10 skills and keywords the posting cares about most. 2. For each one, show which of my bullets supports it, or say "not supported" if none do. Don't stretch. 3. Rewrite my bullets to use the posting's language where it's honestly accurate. 4. Suggest the 6-8 strongest bullets for this job, in order. JOB POSTING: [paste] MY BULLETS: [paste] ``` *Safe paste:* the posting is public. Your bullets should already have names, units and locations swapped for placeholders. ### Check every bullet holds up *You want to be sure every resume line holds up when asked.* ``` Here are my resume bullets. For each one, ask me two questions: 1. Is every word of this true, including the numbers? 2. Could I explain it for two minutes in an interview, with an example? Ask one bullet at a time and wait for my answers. If I say no to either, help me rewrite the bullet so it's true and something I can explain. Don't add anything I didn't say. MY BULLETS: [paste your scrubbed bullets] ``` *Safe paste:* bullets only, with names, units and locations already swapped for placeholders. No SSN, DoD ID or anything that isn't public. ### Likely questions from a real posting *You have an interview coming and want to know what they'll ask.* ``` Here's a job posting. List the 10 interview questions I'm most likely to get for this role, based only on what the posting asks for. For each one, say in one line what the interviewer is probably trying to find out. Don't invent details about the company that aren't in the posting. JOB POSTING: [paste] ``` *Safe paste:* the posting is public. Don't add your name, unit, location or other personal details to this one. ### Turn one real example into a clear answer *You have a good example but your answer keeps rambling.* ``` Help me answer this interview question: [question]. Here's a true example from my experience, in my own words: [your scrubbed example] Rewrite it as a spoken answer under 90 seconds: the situation, what I did, and the result. Use everyday civilian language. Use ONLY my facts. If the result is missing, write [NEED RESULT]. Keep placeholders like [UNIT] and [LOCATION] as written. Then list any military terms a civilian interviewer might not know, and how I could say each one instead. ``` *Safe paste:* swap names, units and locations for placeholders, and keep anything operational at the level that's already public. Held a clearance and not sure where the line is? Ask your security manager first. ### A mock interview, one question at a time *You want to practice answers before the real interview.* ``` Act as an interviewer for a [job title] role at a [type of company]. Ask me one question at a time and wait for my answer. After each answer, give me one thing that worked and one thing to tighten. Ask 6 questions total, then give me a short summary of my strongest and weakest answers. Don't make up facts about my background. ``` *Safe paste:* answer with placeholders for names, units and locations. No SSN, medical or family details, and nothing classified. ### Thank-you email after the interview *The interview just ended and you want to send thanks today.* ``` Write a short thank-you email after a job interview, using only these facts. Role: [job title] Interviewer: [their role, not their name] One thing we talked about: [topic] One reason I'm a fit: [a true point from my resume] Under 120 words, friendly and direct. Keep [NAME] as written. Don't add facts or promises I didn't give you. Give me a subject line too. ``` *Safe paste:* use [NAME] for the interviewer and leave out your phone, address and any unit or location details. Put the real name back yourself. ## VA benefits Make sense of the VA rating schedule, then ask an accredited VSO. ### Explain a section in simple terms *A VA rating schedule section reads like legal code to you.* ``` Below is a section of 38 CFR Part 4, the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities, copied from eCFR. Explain it in simple terms for someone with no legal background. Rules: - Quote the exact words you're explaining before each explanation. - Define any medical or legal term the first time it appears. - Don't estimate what rating anyone would get. - Don't suggest how to word a claim. - If something is unclear, say so instead of guessing. - End by telling me to check with an accredited VSO before I act on anything. SECTION TEXT: [paste the section from ecfr.gov] ``` *Safe paste:* regulation text only, nothing from your own records, and no names or locations. If the explanation doesn't match the quoted words, trust the regulation, and check with an accredited VSO. ### A glossary for one diagnostic code *A diagnostic code is full of terms you don't know.* ``` Here are the rating criteria for one diagnostic code in 38 CFR Part 4. Make a table: term, everyday meaning. Cover every medical or legal term. Don't add criteria, don't apply it to any person, and don't estimate a rating. CRITERIA TEXT: [paste the diagnostic code and its criteria from ecfr.gov] ``` *Safe paste:* paste the code and criteria, never your diagnosis, exam notes or name. Check with an accredited VSO about how it applies to you. ### How combined ratings work *Your VA ratings don't add up the way you expected.* ``` Explain the method in 38 CFR 4.25 (combined ratings table) step by step, using the regulation's own example of a 50 percent and a 30 percent disability. Show the "efficiency" math, then the rounding rule. Use only the text I paste. Don't apply it to my ratings. TEXT OF 4.25: [paste 4.25 from ecfr.gov] ``` *Safe paste:* use the regulation's example (50% and 30% combine to 65%, which rounds to 70%), never your own ratings or file details. Check with an accredited VSO about your own case. ### Questions to bring to an accredited VSO *You have a VSO meeting coming and want good questions ready.* ``` I'm reading this section of 38 CFR Part 4 and I'm going to meet a VA-accredited representative. List 5 to 8 neutral questions I could ask about what this section means and how VA applies it. Questions only. No answers, no advice, and nothing about my own medical history. SECTION TEXT: [paste the section] ``` *Safe paste:* regulation text only. Your own history goes to the accredited VSO in person, not to the chatbot. ## School & GI Bill Check costs, ask the right questions, and compare programs before you enroll. ### School cost sheet into a gap list *You're not sure what the GI Bill covers on a school's cost sheet.* ``` Below is a trade school's public cost sheet and the text of a VA.gov page about how the GI Bill pays for non-college degree programs. Make a table: cost item, amount, "VA.gov text says this is covered / not covered / doesn't say". Quote the VA.gov line for each call. If the VA.gov text doesn't address an item, write "doesn't say, ask the school certifying official". Don't guess. COST SHEET: [paste] VA.GOV TEXT: [paste] ``` *Safe paste:* public text only. No name, SSN, VA file number, DD-214, Certificate of Eligibility, date of birth, address or bank details. ### Questions for the school certifying official *You're meeting the school certifying official and don't know what to ask.* ``` Using the "doesn't say" items from the table above, write 6 to 10 short, neutral questions for a school's VA certifying official. Questions only. Don't make assumptions about my eligibility. ``` *Safe paste:* nothing new goes in. Your name and eligibility details go to the certifying official, not the chatbot. ### Licensing and certification test plan *Your new career needs a license or certification test.* ``` I'm training for [trade]. From the VA.gov text below on licensing and certification tests, list what VA says it reimburses, what it says it won't pay for, and the form it names. Then list the tests I should look up in VA's licensing and certification search tool. Use only the pasted text. VA.GOV TEXT: [paste VA.gov's licensing and certification tests page] ``` *Safe paste:* public text only, with no name, SSN or file numbers. One gap to watch for: VA's page says it won't pay for getting the actual license or certification document. ### Compare two programs side by side *You're stuck choosing between two programs.* ``` Here are two programs' public details, copied from the GI Bill Comparison Tool and each school's site. Make one comparison table: program length, clock hours per week, tuition, fees, tools or kit, licensing test costs, approval status shown. Mark anything missing as "not listed". Don't recommend one. PROGRAM A: [paste] PROGRAM B: [paste] ``` *Safe paste:* public text only. No personal or benefit details, and no name or home location. ## Everyday work Emails, memos and meeting notes, drafted fast from only the facts you give. ### A professional email from rough notes *You need a professional email and only have rough notes.* ``` Write a professional email using only these facts. Goal: [what I want the reader to do or know] Reader: [their role, not their name] Tone: [friendly / neutral / formal] Length: under 150 words. Facts: - [fact 1] - [fact 2] - [fact 3] Keep placeholders like [NAME] and [DATE] as written. Don't add facts, dates or promises I didn't give you. Put the main point in the first two sentences. Give me a subject line too. ``` *Safe paste:* swap names, units and locations for placeholders. No account numbers or anything marked CUI. ### Reply to a hard email *A tense email landed and you're not sure how to answer.* ``` Help me reply to the email below. I want to [say no / push back on the deadline / apologize without admitting fault]. My position, in my own words: [what you actually want to say] Relationship: [e.g. "my supervisor's supervisor"] Write it calm, direct and respectful. No groveling, no jargon. Offer one concrete next step. Keep it under 120 words. THEIR EMAIL: [paste the email with names and private details removed] ``` *Safe paste:* strip names, signature blocks, units, locations, phone numbers and anything marked CUI from their email before you paste it. ### A memo draft in your format *You need a memo in your command's exact format.* ``` Draft a memo using only the points below. Follow this format exactly, copied from my command's template or instruction: [paste the blank template or format rules, no names or unit info] Keep placeholders like [NAME], [UNIT] and [DATE] as written. Don't add facts, references or dates I didn't give you. If the format needs something I didn't provide, write [NEED DETAIL]. POINTS: - [point 1] - [point 2] ``` *Safe paste:* blank template plus scrubbed points only, with names, units and locations swapped for placeholders. No CUI, no PII, nothing classified. ### Messy meeting notes into decisions and action items *Your meeting notes are a mess and nobody knows who owns what.* ``` Using ONLY the notes below, list: DECISIONS (max 5), ACTION ITEMS as a table (Task | Owner | Due date), and OPEN QUESTIONS. Keep placeholders like [NAME], [UNIT] and [DATE] exactly as written. If an owner or date isn't in the notes, write UNASSIGNED or NO DATE. Do not guess. NOTES: [paste scrubbed, unclassified notes] ``` *Safe paste:* strip names, unit, locations, schedules and anything marked CUI first. ## Stay safe Scrub before you paste, and check any message that wants money or a code. ### Work with placeholders *You want AI help on text that has names and details in it.* ``` The text below uses placeholders like [NAME], [UNIT], [LOCATION], [DATE], [NUMBER] and [SYSTEM]. Rules: - Keep every placeholder exactly as written. Don't replace, guess or invent names, places, dates or numbers. - Don't ask me what the placeholders stand for. - If the task needs a detail I left out, write [NEED DETAIL]. Task: [what you want, e.g. "make this clearer and shorter"] TEXT: [paste your scrubbed text] ``` *Safe paste:* swap every name, unit and location before you paste, and keep the placeholder key on paper, never in the chat. Put the real details back yourself, outside the AI tool. ### A second set of eyes on your scrub *You scrubbed your text and want a second check before pasting.* ``` Review the text below for anything that could still identify a person, unit, place, date, schedule, capability or weakness. List each item you find and suggest a placeholder for it. Don't rewrite the text. Don't guess at what any placeholder stands for. Don't tell me the text is "safe" or "cleared." TEXT: [paste your scrubbed text] ``` *Safe paste:* only use this on text where you've already swapped names, units and locations. If it flags nothing, that's not a clearance. It's a chatbot. ### Is this message a scam? *An urgent text or email wants money fast.* ``` Below is a message I received, with my personal details removed. List any scam red flags you see, such as urgency, secrecy, pressure to pay by wire transfer, crypto or gift cards, or a request for a code or login. Then tell me how I could verify it independently, using a phone number or website I look up myself. Don't tell me it's safe. You can't know that. MESSAGE: [paste the message text] ``` *Safe paste:* swap your name and any family names or locations for placeholders, and remove phone numbers, emails, account numbers and codes. Don't click the links. Already paid? Call your bank or the payment company, then report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and ic3.gov. ### Check an offer to "help" with your VA claim *Someone is offering to "help" with your VA claim.* ``` Below is an ad or message offering help with a VA disability claim, plus text I copied from VA.gov about accredited representatives and fees. Compare the offer to the VA.gov text. List anything in the offer that doesn't match what VA.gov says, and quote the VA.gov line each time. Don't give claims advice, and don't tell me whether to hire them. OFFER: [paste the ad or message, with your details removed] VA.GOV TEXT: [paste VA's accredited representative FAQ] ``` *Safe paste:* no name, medical details, VA file or claim numbers, or SSN. VA says an accredited VSO representative's help is always free, and accredited attorneys and claims agents can charge only after VA decides your initial claim. Check anyone in VA's accredited representative search, and check with an accredited VSO. ### Set up a family code word *You worry a scammer could fake a loved one's voice.* *A message for your family, not an AI prompt. The FBI recommends a secret word or phrase.* ``` Hey all, quick favor. Scammers can now copy someone's voice with AI and call pretending to be family in an emergency. Can we pick a family code word next time we're together? If anyone ever calls asking for money urgently, we ask for the word first. Don't reply with ideas here, let's do it in person. ``` *Safe paste:* never send the code word itself, and don't mention names of units or where you're stationed or deployed. Pick one prompt and run it on the next thing you write this week.