My first Public Affairs task after DINFOS was the annual Best Warrior Competition, in Missouri for USACAPOC(A).
Two real-deal Public Affairs NCOs showed LT Dave C. how to plan, cover and produce throughout the week. They shipped timely products because they built the conditions for success:
- Approved messaging: they wrote what they’d say before we traveled.
- Functional equipment: even without the most modern equipment, they knew how to use it.
- Access to units and senior leaders: they spoke the same language as the event planners and learned what they needed without becoming a distraction.
- Fast Internet connections: they made sure the hotel would be alright uploading videos to DVIDS before they booked rooms.*
- Credibility to publish without further review: alright, this is easy with an all-positive internal competition. In fact, these “easy” environments are where we build trust to do so when the message is more complex.
- Long days: they were psychologically prepared to be up early to scope training areas, and up late exporting and uploading photos and videos.
Flash-forward to 2019: I see military units unable to publish timely images, which could have real international utility, because a tactical PAO didn’t set up these same systems on the ground. Meanwhile, leaders in the Pentagon have long, painful VTCs about why they aren’t getting the imagery they desire.
Generals crave options, to include possible ways to show their side of the story when something complicated happens. PAOs can preserve commanders’ credibility by placing the right photographer on a boat, or small outpost, with way to quickly send photos to a higher headquarters.
I’m reminded of those two real-deal NCOs. They could’ve prevented those VTCs because they could handle the hard work of early planning.
PAOs often plan ambitious Command Information coverage plans for internal events like Best Warrior Competitions or changes of command. Can we look at these “easy” events’ long days, logistics, and multimedia products as training for the times someone on the ground has to ship meaningful messages?**
(Photo by Staff Sgt. Sharilyn Wells, DVIDS)
*Year later, some of my PA Detachment folks were working in Poland with few resources. They endeared themselves to a local hotel’s staff, bought their coffee, and mooched their Wi-Fi to publish products that would’ve otherwise waited weeks to reach the Internet.
**The Best Warrior Competition is not a meaningful message. Prove me wrong.
