Rebuilding Public Affairs

Rebuilding Public Affairs

Abstract

Rebuilding the Public Affairs program at the Navy Region Southwest Reserve Component Command after four years of no existence can be a challenge within the command and in the Southwest regional offices. Recently, leadership has began revitalizing the program with the use of a Public Affairs Officer that has been permanently assigned.

Summary

Rebuilding Public Affairs

The Public Affairs(PA) program has been nonexistent in the last four years at the Navy command, Navy Region Southwest Reserve Component Command (NRSWRCC). The program has had no one in charge of the program at the command or its subordinate command throughout the Southwest. The program lacks leadership, implementation, structure, training, equipment and manpower.

Background

Public Affairs(PA) is a term for the formal offices of the branches of the United States Department of Defense whose purpose is to deal with the media and community issues. The term is also used for numerous media relations offices that are created by the U.S. military for more specific limited purposes. PA offices are staffed by a combination of officers, enlisted personnel, civilian officials and contract professionals. Public Affairs offices play a key role in contingency and deployed operations (SECNAVINST, 2012).

The typical PA 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.

The Public Affairs Officer (PAO) is responsible for developing a working relationship with reporters 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 (SECNAVINST, 2012).

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,