NextGov: The Army Got it Right (Bataan Memorial Death March Run at White Sands)

What's Brewin': Bob Brewin’s Take on Defense Information Technology

The Army Got It Right

By Bob Brewin   03/30/09 03:57 pm ET

WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N.M. - Reporters are known as cynics and cranks (that's what my friends in the public affairs shops in the Pentagon tell me) so I'm going to run against the trend. The folks from the White Sands Missile Range, the New Mexico National Guard and the Reserve Officer Training Corps who ran the Bataan Memorial Death March at the Missile Range did the Army proud.

These military sponsors of the event deserve kudos for superb organization, but the Army is supposed to be organized, right?

What made it a special and moving experience for me were the small touches: a bugler sounding reveille followed by a heart rending "Taps" as the sun crested the desert mountains; the kids from on-base families handing out flags to the marchers and then saluting them a mile from the finish line; and the hundreds of volunteers who gave out cups of water or energy drinks, cookies and -- best of all -- cheers and encouragement.

The Memorial March this year attracted a record crowd of some 5,300 civilian and military participants, up from 800 participants in last year's event. That old fashioned word "camaraderie" best summed up the event. For one day, on the grueling desert course here, Americans (as well as teams from eight other countries) from all walks of life, of all ages, came together for a common mission, and did so with courtesy and respect.

Putting one foot after the other on a 15.2 mile course, or one that was 26.2 miles long, is a great equalizer - and that applies to generals as well this aging Marine corporal. Army staff director Lt. Gen. David Huntoon flew in for the event and completed the 26.2 mile course in just more than six hours. Not bad for a 57-year-old guy whose day is filled with more briefings than grunting.

I completed the 15.2 mile course in five hours and 17 minutes. Not bad for a 65-year-old guy who spends his life in front of a computer. I plan to do the 26.2 mile course next year, and Huntoon said if I do, he'd do the 26.2 mile course next year with a 35-pound pack

See you then, sir .

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Maryland Senator Ben Cardin has introduced legislation that would allow struggling newspapers to become non-profits - THIS IS A GOOD IDEA!

---Heard on the Chris Plante Show 630 AM, WMAL on Weds., March 25th.

(Washington, DC) -- Maryland Senator Ben Cardin has introduced legislation that would allow struggling newspapers to become non-profits. Cardin's office says the "Newspaper Revitalization Act" would allow newspapers to operate as non-profit businesses under 501(c)(3) status for educational purposes, similar to public broadcasting. Under the proposal, newspapers would not be allowed to make political endorsements, but would be allowed to freely report on all issues, including political campaigns. Advertising and subscription revenue would be tax exempt and contributions to support coverage or operations could be tax-deductible. Cardin's office says the measure is targeted to preserve local newspapers serving communities and not large newspaper conglomerates.

(Copyright © 2009 Metro Networks Communications Inc., A Westwood One Company) 3/24/2009 2:44PM

DoD Live Blog and American Forces Press Service

FEATURED BLOGS DoDLive Blog USNS Mercy Blog Continuing Promise '08 Pacific Fleet Commander Dot Mil Docs Radio Webcast DoD's Top Doc Blog SOUTHCOM Commander's Blog PACOM Website PACOM on Facebook PACOM on YouTube PACOM on Flickr PACOM Blog PACOM on MySpace

NEWS

Defenselink: Admiral Timothy J. Keating embraces Social Media / quited in DOD Blogger's Roundtable

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=53074 Wednesday, February 11, 2009

U.S. Pacific Command Embraces Social Media

Adm. Timothy J. Keating, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command

“Every day throughout our area of responsibility, members of our command are taking part in bilateral and multilateral activities that support Pacific Command’s commitment to an engagement strategy based on partnership, readiness and presence,” Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, told online journalists and bloggers during a Bloggers Roundtable, Feb. 11. "We're committed to security, stability, and prosperity. The word we hear from other countries in our AOR is they want to be part of the coalition of the committed." Keating also explained how U.S. Pacific Command is embracing new media tools and has established a presence on a number of social media sites as a means of communicating with the public and niche audiences. He also added that while U.S. Pacific Command is engaging in social media tools to encourage dialogue and two-way communication; they are also committed to maintaining the free and ready access all throughout the Asia Pacific region. Story | Audio(Mp3)

Public Affairs, according to The Department of Defense

Public Affairs, according to The Department of Defense

NOTE: "The opinion below on Public Affairs is accurate.** The practice is now being shared inter-agency, and within Civilian, Intelligence and quasi-agency. It is also being modelled in associations and organziations in some areas.  I envision the practice become standard as proposal writing templates are followed within government agencies. The Military / DoD PA model would work very well within most trade associations, foundations, non-profits and organziations. The key communication strategies that are stood up have been well-planned, well-manned (sic) and executed in a deliberate and effective manner."

                                                        --Abbe Buck Public Affairs,  

                                                            former COO, HighViz Consulting Group, (2009)

About HighViz:

On the web: http://highvizconsulting.com

Short for "High Visibility", boutique PR and marketing firm HighViz Consulting Group, specializes in raising awareness for companies and organizations. HighViz Consulting offers public relations, public affairs and marketing communications expertise to clients seeking goverment clients or to companies launching new products. The firm's services include media relations, communications, crisis management, business development, and related marketing services. Founded in 1999, the company specializes in serving information technology companies and government agencies. 

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**Wikipedia/Answers.com:

Public Affairs offices plays a key role in contingency and deployed operations.

The typical Public Affairs office is led 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.

CONTENTS [hide] 1 Duties and Responsibilities 2 Training 3 U.S. Army 4 U.S. Navy 5 U.S. Marine Corps 6 U.S. Air Force 7 See also 8 References 9 External links

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Public Affairs Officer (PAO) is responsible for developing a working relationship withreporters 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 review materials such as speeches, news articles, and radio and television shows for security policy review and integration with the objectives of the military, 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.

TRAINING

The Public 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.

U.S. ARMY

The United States Army's public affairs community is led by the Chief of Public Affairs currently held by Major General Kevin Bergner.^[1]

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.

U.S. MARINE CORPS

The United States Marine Corps public affairs community is led by the Director of Public Affairswithin 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

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.

SEE ALSO

• Pentagon rapid response operation
• Public relations
• Information warfare

REFERENCES

1. ^ The United States Army | Army Public Affairs

EXTERNAL LINKS

• United States Navy Public Affairs Alumni Association (USNPAAA)

• 
  

 Community Q&A  Reference topics

Copyrights:

Military Dictionary. US Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Words, 2003.

Defenselink: Col. Laurie G. Moe Buckhout, Chief Electronic Warfare Division, discusses 29-series career field for US Army E W F - Under G-3 Policy

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Army Announces New Career Field

Colonel Laurie G. Moe Buckhout, Chief, Electronic Warfare Division

Colonel Laurie G. Moe Buckhout, Chief, Electronic Warfare Division, Army Operations, Readiness and Mobilization (HQDA G3/5/7) joined bloggers and online journalists to discuss the Army’s new Electronic Warfare (EW) 29-series career field for officers, warrant officers and enlisted personnel. “The war in Iraq began to make us understand better that there are a lot of targets that we need to go after…IEDs were just the tip of the iceberg,” explained Buckhout. “The new career field gives the army one of the largest professional electronic warfare cadre of all the services.” Story | Audio(Mp3) NOTES: This will be under G-3 and the Warfighter, she said. The office was stood up in May, 2006 Full time cadre electronic warfare here 1,619 professionals will be included in largest professional cadre.

Pentagon Web Radio

The Pentagon Channel - Oprah visits Walter Reed Medical Center

http://dodvclips.mil/index.jsp?fr_story=FRdamp342699&rf=rss

http://www.oprah.com/dated/oprahshow/oprahshow_20090128_walter_reed

http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/20090128_tows_walterreed 

On June 25, 2008, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Justin "Nate" Knowles was on patrol in Afghanistan when he stepped on a pressured plate IED explosive. "I saw my leg when I got blown up," he says. "Then I got back to the States a couple days later, and they told me they had to take my leg."

Nate says he's adjusting the best he can. "It's not too bad. Once you get over the fact that you already lost your leg, it's not too bad," he says.

When the recovery process becomes difficult, Nate's got some cute and cuddly motivation—his 3-month-old daughter, Jada.

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