Photo By Spc. Elayseah Woodard-Hinton | Spc. Ashley Outler, photo journalist, 28th Public Affairs Detachment, a native of...... read more read more
Subscribe
YAKIMA, Wash. - Often referred to as PAO, a public affairs officer, and sometimes mistaken for the military occupation specialty known as combat camera, public affairs specialists are responsible for telling the Army’s story.
Due to the nature of this work and the size of the career field, it’s not uncommon for public affairs specialist to work in small shops or to be sent out on missions alone; however, during a May field training exercise conducted by the 3rd Stryker Brigade “Arrowhead”, 2nd Infantry Division, representatives from various public affairs units out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord had an opportunity to combine their expertise and work as a large team.
“We didn’t have resources or equipment,” said Sgt. Nathaniel Phillips, public affairs specialist, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team. “At the end of the day, it’s just myself and Staff Sgt. Brandenburg; and the two of us couldn’t possibly cover six battalions worth of training out here in Yakima.”
In order to increase visibility for the brigade’s FTX, 3-2’s PA office worked directly with I Corps and other public affairs units affiliated with the division to request additional resources; these units included: the 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, the 20th Public Affairs Detachment and the 28th Public Affairs Detachment. Fortunately, this request was well received by each unit.
“It worked out that all the PADs were really excited about providing support,” said Phillips, a Michigan City, Ind., native.
In order to accurately tell the Arrowhead story, the PA soldiers were sent to Yakima training center to embed with various battalions within the Army’s first Stryker Brigade.
“We’re getting ready to start training for an upcoming deployment and we have a lot of new Soldiers,” said Sgt. 1st Class Lashaundra Shaw, operations non-commissioned officer, 5th MPAD. ”So it’s a chance for us to simulate what we actually do downrange, which is deploy as a team.”
Enthusiasm about telling the Army’s story, and learning about the different pieces that make up the military, is a quality needed to be successful in public affairs.
“I love doing this job,” said Spc. Ryan Hallock, public affairs specialist, 28th Public Affairs Detachment, “Everyone’s got a story and they’re more than happy to tell it. It’s really an honor to go with other units and find out what they do on a daily basis,” explained the Cayuga, N.Y., native.
Many of the Arrowhead soldiers didn’t know what to make of the inquisitive uniformed personnel, who were often present with cameras, voice recorders and video equipment in hand.
“It’s kind of strange seeing cameras and everything out here,” said Spc. Devin Blackford, an Anderson Ind., native who is currently working in Bronco Troop, 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 3-2 SBCT. “It’s a little uncomfortable for us because we’re not use to working with them.”
Most public affairs specialists recognize that it can be unnerving having them around; yet, this is all the more reason for them to connect with different units and develop that comfort level.
“To have a brigade request so many public affairs assets is a good thing for us,” said Shaw, a native of Dallas. “Being able to work with them puts the word out there of what public affairs is and basically shines a good light on us. Hopefully more brigades and battalions will see what we’re doing and start reaching out to us to cover more things.”
Although the surge of internal media attention caused a little discomfort, soldiers, such as Blackford, generally understood the importance of public affairs, and thought it was a good thing that the Army uses these assets to show the public some of the positive things the military is doing.
| Date Taken: | 05.22.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 05.31.2011 17:35 |
| Story ID: | 71383 |
| Location: | YAKIMA, WA, US |
| Web Views: | 172 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Media in the Military, by SPC Elayseah Woodard-Hinton, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT