Arrange the items to be covered in order of rank. Make a checklist, starting with the most important points that need to be included in the executive summary and working toward the secondary or supporting topics.
Determine whether anything in the report is classified information and act accordingly. Including details of planned military operations that aren't known to the general troops could get you into trouble. Be prudent and check with your commanding officer if you have any doubt.
Use the active voice. Employ the elements of good writing. Don't use a big word when a small one will do; avoid run-on sentences.
Do not overstate and do not overwrite. Like all military matters, do -- or in this case, say -- what has to be said and move on to the next operation.
Speak to the audience of your executive summary. If your report is for high-ranking officers, it requires a more formal tone than if the report is to be read by recruits.
Use appropriate military terms. Soldiers are "troops" or "personnel" and they don't fight they "operate." Methods have become "techniques." As in any area of work, pick the correct terms to demonstrate that you know what you are talking about.
Write a thesis statement that addresses the major thrust of the executive summary. Rather than quietly wading in, drop the bombshell and get the reader's attention in the first sentence of the executive summary.
Keep paragraphs to four sentences. Military people want precision, not long, contorted explanations.
Leave your executive summary for at least 24 hours and then edit it for typing and grammar mistakes. Read the summary aloud and assess it for proper military tone.
Ask your commanding officer to review your executive summary to ensure everything is ship-shape. Remember that the executive summary is the most important part of the report, so a second opinion from someone in charge is a good idea.