Public affairs (military)
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Pubic Affairs is a term for the formal offices of the branches of the United States Department of Defense whose purpose is to deal with the media and community issues. The term is also used for numerous media relations offices that are created by the U.S. military for more specific limited purposes. Public affairs offices are staffed by a combination of officers, enlisted personal, civilian officials and contract professionals.
Pubic Affairs offices plays a key role in contingency and deployed operations.
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.
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[edit] Duties and Responsibilities
The Pubic Affairs Officer (PAO) 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.
Pubic 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 review 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, often completely developing a commander's public persona.
Additionally, they produce base newspapers, magazines, and internal information television stations. Bandsmen, broadcasters, and visual information specialists are also part of Public Affairs.
[edit] Training
The Pubic Affairs community of the United States Armed Forces consists of active duty and reserve officers, enlisted personnel, civilians and consultants to provide support for managing the flow of news and information for the military. Public Affairs Officers (PAO) and enlisted members often attend the Defense Information School (DINFOS) at Ft. Meade, Maryland prior to their first duty station and for online and instructor-led professional development coursework and advanced training throughout their careers.
[edit] U.S. Army
The United States Army's public affairs community is led by the Chief of Public Affairs currently held by Major General Anthony A. Cucolo III.[1]
[edit] U.S. Navy
The United States Navy public affairs community is led by the Chief of Naval Information (CHINFO) within the U.S. Navy Office of Information. Currently, the CHINFO is Rear Admiral Frank Thorp IV.
Enlisted members of the Navy public affairs community are rated as Mass Communications Specialist (MC). Officers in Navy public affairs are Restricted Line Officers and hold the Special Duty Officer (Public Affairs) designator 165X.
The annual CHINFO Merit Awards (CMA) Program recognizes outstanding achievements in internal media products produced by Navy commands and individuals.
[edit] U.S. Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps public affairs community is led by the Director of Public Affairs within the Division of Public Affairs, Headquarters, United States Marine Corps. Brigadier General Robert E. Milstead, Jr., is the current Director, Public Affairs.
Marines within the Public Affairs community are identified by Military Occupational Specialty (MOS).
- Enlisted
- 4300 Basic Combat Correspondent - GYSGT-PVT
- 4313 Broadcast Journalist - MGYSGT-PVT
- 4341 Combat Correspondent - MGYSGT-PVT
- Officer
- 4302 Public Affairs Officer (I/III)
- 4330 Historical Officer
[edit] U.S. Air Force
The Secretary of the Air Force Office of Public Affairs (SAF/PA) serves in the leadership role for the United States Air Force's public affairs community.
