If there is an opportunity to highlight someone; some shit on the Today Show, a radio shout-out, a personal profile or whatever … don’t take it for yourself. Don’t give it to one of the PA folks on your team. Find some Soldier, find some kid from the front line of what your organization does and highlight him or her.
Our team got together on a few examples:
Is there an opportunity to be in the picture when the Commander-in-Chief gives a speech on your installation? STOP
Did the local sports team ask to publicly recognize a soldier at an upcoming game and you really like the team? STOP
Is the local television station looking to do a warm and fuzzy feature on family sacrifices as your unit prepares to deploy, and you know your spouse has done so much?
Just get a call from the Today Show offering to do an on-air makeover for someone in uniform and you could use some blush?
Does the local newspaper want to do a friendly profile of a rising officer? This would make you look good.
Have you just received free tickets to the annual Christmas concert from your local radio station? That’s be fun, right?
These are all excellent opportunities to highlight young soldiers who have earned recognition for behavior which should be emulated to make your organization stronger.
They are not chances for the PAO to thrust him or herself into the limelight.
Where do you belong? Read this.
