If you’re not careful, it’s easy to fall into the HHC Public Affairs trap. You work in the same building as them, and you run into their folks at staff meetings and ceremonies. Boy, they do work hard to support your command, and they have ample opportunities to invite your photo/video dudes out to their events.
Like I said, it’s easy. You need to highlight a Soldier in a feature, so just grab that great guy in the supply shop who always helps you out. They’re putting together a super sweet community relations event and would really love to see a local reporter out there. They’re doing a range, that one time, so how about sending a photographer out (they could use the photos on a storyboard for the boss, anyway).
Don’t be the HHC PAO. Be the PAO to the headquarters — focus on the strategic message, the real operations aligned with your mission, and the Soldiers closer to the frontlines. That’s not as easy, but that’s why it’s better.
In the meantime, don’t you have a cake cutting to get to?
