What do you guys think of Public Affairs?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Dec 2014 21:28:33 -0500

Would love to know your thoughts and opinions. Do you think military public affairs is relevant? What are your thoughts on this functional area? How can we improve ourselves to better serve the force?

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2014 9:40 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Dec 2014 21:40:29 -0500

I think it is a relevant specialty (functional area). I see PA as the press secretary for the supported command or base. My interactions with PA folks have been nothing but good, and that includes (especially) when there was sensitive information on the line ... We could discuss the situation with the PA guys and determine the best way to "manage" the situation. I've always found them helpful.

You could improve and become more relevant by telling the average troop (or unit) what you do and how you can make their life easier.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Dec 7 at 2014 9:49 PM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Sun, 07 Dec 2014 21:49:47 -0500

When I was more junior, I had no idea what public affairs did. Being trained by the military to avoid the media did not help in my bias. As I later became exposed to public affairs, I came to understand that they are one of the most important parts of the military because they help present the military to the civilian population (among others).

There are so many misconceptions by the civilian population about the military, and a civilian-military divide helps nobody. Having public affairs tell the story of what the military does, and representing the military in a positive and professional light in the media is of great benefit to everyone. I know that this is only one part of what pubic affairs does, but I think it's a very important role.

To improve: I would have military public affairs be more proactive in interaction with mainstream media... basically serving as spokespeople. My view on public affairs is that they "put the information out there" if the news wants to pick it up, but I don't see public affairs commenting about news stories on CNN, sitting on TV panels, etc. I guess this is because the military is always concerned about being taken out of context, but I think the added exposure would be a net benefit.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2014 10:16 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Dec 2014 22:16:19 -0500

PA has been absolutely critical to some of the U.S. story telling of the activities of our military. I find it frustrating when the bad guys get their stories out before we do, we need to close that time gap.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2014 10:51 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Dec 2014 22:51:22 -0500

In my experience, PA has been fantastic. I have had only positives experiences with Public Affairs...especially in Oklahoma. They are awesome about covering family events. Additionally, if somebody has an idea for a story, the staff is very accommodating. Soldiers have the idea that Public Affairs deals with strictly internal to external news stories. Many issues covered by Public Affairs are disseminated for internal consumption as well.
PA is quite overlooked as a resource for families, soldiers, and their respective commands.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2014 11:07 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Dec 2014 23:07:16 -0500

Public Affairs plays key and critical functions for every command. Their role as a key agency on any installation is most not realized below brigaide and battalion level unfortunately. The installation Public Affairs officer will meet daily with the Division Commander.

A very key role (and little known) role of Public Affairs is in Crisis and Emergency Management (i.e. Ft. Hood and Naval Shipyard Active Shooter Incidents). They are the face of the military to the civilian community; They work to ensure that the correct information is put out and that can be a very difficult thing to do. They are the voice of the command to the public.

They are a very overworked and under apprecaited group of professionals. Also as with most DOD civilian organizations, they have been hit hard during the recent cut in authorized postions as well and also are doing more with less!

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Dec 8 at 2014 6:28 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 06:28:08 -0500

SSG V. Michelle Woods, is our one of our SMEs, let's here what she has to say.

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Dec 8 at 2014 11:58 AM

SSG V. Michelle Woods — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 11:58:49 -0500

Some of the most rewarding times in my career happened when I could tell a soldier's story. They'd get so excited when they became "famous" in their hometown. Better yet, the times I got to go with a line unit and tell their story. That's when I had the chance to elaborate on the colossal amount of suck company-level units and below had to embrace in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan.

As far as Public Affairs altogether, well...a lot of great ideas but unfortunately not enough backing to support.

Response by Sgt Jennifer Mohler made Dec 8 at 2014 12:54 PM

Sgt Jennifer Mohler — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 12:54:13 -0500

Public affairs is a critical function. Information can do more good or harm then our actual actions and there needs to be a cadre of experts to manage that.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Dec 8 at 2014 1:43 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 13:43:50 -0500

Public Affairs is needed to ensure the story is told in the right way. It allows unit commanders to concentrate on their jobs, rather than trying to be "talking heads". It allows the "good news" stories, that otherwise would probably not be told, to get into the news, while ensuring the "bad news" stories are not allowed to spin out of control with erroneous information.

Response by CPO Greg Frazho made Dec 9 at 2014 2:09 PM

CPO Greg Frazho — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 14:09:51 -0500

Public affairs is a necessity that requires augustly trained and very knowledgeable professionals. It is not for the faint of heart, it is not for introverts and it is certainly not for amateurs. The business, such as it is, can be very unforgiving depending on the nature of any given day's events, particularly regarding crises. By the same token, the job can also be very rewarding and even, (dare I say it?), fun.

That said, PA's practitioners are an interesting breed o' people. Like any other group of people, some you'll find appealing, others you can take them or leave them, and a memorable few are probably not worth the military's time or effort. I noticed on active duty, particularly at my first duty station, the size of ego that people in PA have, and it was a little disturbing.

My overarching guidance about PA would be this: take your job seriously, if not very seriously, but try not to take yourself very seriously. Unfortunately, while many do indeed take the job seriously, some also start believing their own publicity and it's not healthy.