Public affairs (military)
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Each of the military services (Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps, as well as the Coast Guard) have formal "Public Affairs" offices in addition to numerous other specific-purpose "Public Affairs" offices. The officers and enlisted Public Affairs professional trained to deal with the media and community issues.
The typical Public Affairs office is lead by an officer who is in charge of planning, budgeting for, executing and evaluating the effectiveness of public affairs programs, and provides public affairs advice, counsel and support for commanders and senior staff members.
[edit] Duties and Responsibilities
The Public Affairs officer is responsible for developing a working relationship with reporters and other media representatives, maintaining a robust community relations program, keeping contact with other government agencies and keeping internal and external publics informed on issues that may affect them. Known as "PA's" for short, they are expected to coordinate with the appropriate agencies prior to contacting and releasing information to the media on conditions that might result in favorable or unfavorable public reaction, including releases and public statements involving local, regional and national news.
Public Affairs officers are responsible for preparing information relative to unit participation in military operations, world events and environmental matters through news releases, special activities, photographs, radio and television, and other informational material. They also reviews materials such as speeches, news articles, and radio and television shows for security policy review and integration with the objectives of the Air Force, and determine appropriate topics.
They produce speeches and act as ghost writers for commanders. Very often completely developing a commanders public persona.
Additionally, they produce base newspapers, magazine, internal information television stations and maintain oversight of the various Air Force bands, broadcasters, videographers, photographers and graphic artist.
