09-11 - Foreword

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Handbook 09-11
December 2008

Foreward

This newsletter makes the case for changing public relations and media relations to support contemporary operations, especially in a counterinsurgency environment. It explains why commanders, not just the public affairs office, must be involved in public affairs (PA) operations.

The newsletter presents examples of battle-tested and proven PA training guidance and tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP). These TTP help units and Soldiers gain a better perspective and situational understanding of the battlefield environment. Media operations provide units and Soldiers with an enhanced capability to view the adversary and themselves through someone else's viewpoint-via television, the Internet, or print media.

Key points of this newsletter:

PA and media relations are a leader's business.
The roles of the public affairs officers (PAOs) and staff are changing.
PAOs and PA teams must adopt a proactive and assertive mindset.
PA teams must get the Army's story out first, before enemy disinformation begins.
PA teams must understand their audiences and how best to communicate by leveraging new means and new technologies to reach those audiences.
PAOs are key to the commander's information operations and must be involved in the campaign from planning to execution and through post operations.

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Last Reviewed: May 18, 2012