How do we create more appealing (but also true) stories of the military for the masses?

IN my opinion and from my experience the greatest thing we can do is to treat our Soldiers with dignity and respect. Let's help them set themselves up for success. All of us at one point or another leave the military, whether its after our first enlistment or after a retirement or anywhere in between. If we teach, train, and mentor, and allow Soldiers ample time within preset rules and regulations to prepare themselves for life after the Military, Soldiers will be the best Advertisement we can get. When they get out and back into our communities they will be the first ones to explain to those around them what a great experience they had serving our great country. This is not fool proof, there are Soldier that have no business ever serving, and those we wont be able to reach. But for those other 99% that serve honorably, treat with dignity and respect and our image will be a lot better than it is. Just an old recent retiree's observation.

Get to know the journalists; earn their respect and give them good stories. CPT Wayne Price

I feel that Americans find value and pride in their nations ability to be a standard of good in the world. Telling stories of how we are assisting other nations rebuilding efforts, fighting alongside and supporting smaller states against terrorism, and leading humanitarian efforts would go a long way to help negative perceptions people may have.

you might have to start your own blog, or write a book or screenplay of your own. A lie gets around the world before the truth gets his pants on, sadly - and people prefer the negative stories. Dirty laundry sells. Feel good stuff is forgotten fast, like the taste of a cookie, it doesn't last in memory. You just think of the calories and the guilt afterward.

LTJG Stephanie Thompson Great post! We can contact new stations/reporters with newsworthy stories for them to report on that cast the military/veteran community in a good light. There are many such instances that go unreported and this needs to change.

What makes a story "appealing"? Is it being able to identify with the leading characters, plot, and resolution? In that sense, maybe we can't adequately relate our stories to those who have no context to fully understand them. Perhaps it's about educating those without that context. If so, then we should avoid diluting the facts, romanticizing the experience, or downplaying the consequences. Then again, it's possible that what we're really getting at here, is that not all stories are, or ever can be "positive'...and maybe that's acceptable as well.