Public Affairs Soldiers Needed More Than Ever

Photo By Gen. Rajagau Tuan Lante | Sgt. Camilla Brock, 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment prepares to take training footage at the Kosovo Force 19 Mission Rehearsal Exercise, Oct. 8, 2014, at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany (U.S. Army photo courtesy of 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)  

FORT BRAGG, NC, UNITED STATES

01.06.2015

Story by Staff Sgt. Jared Gehmann 

49th Public Affairs Detachment   

FORT BRAGG, N.C. - In this ever-changing world the Army continues to adapt to new challenges. One of the largest challenges the Army has faced during the last few decades has been maintaining the rapid and accurate flow of information to our civilian leaders and the American people. Today, Public Affairs Soldiers stationed around the world are on the frontline of this information battlefield.

Public Affairs Soldiers in Military Occupational Skills (MOS) 46Q, public affairs specialists, and 46R, public affairs broadcast specialist, are specially trained in journalism and communication practices and techniques. Every day, these Soldiers work to keep civilian media and, thus, the American people informed through organized press conferences and press releases, as well as radio, print and television stories. These Soldiers also work to ensure civilian reporters are safely embedded with Army units when reporting the news in combat zones or other dangerous parts of the world.

“Public Affairs(PA) is extremely important because we collect as much information as we can and pass it on to the American people while still maintaining operational security. This is really the best insight our citizens get about what’s actually going on in the military,” said Capt. Casey Martin, commander of the 40th Public Affairs Detachment, stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C.

There are other non-lethal benefits public affairs Soldiers provide that enhance mission success both at home and while deployed.

“When PA Soldiers are successful at their job, they validate what a unit is doing and what their purpose is. There are all these Army units doing great things that they hardly ever receive any credit for. Many times the missions of these units can be very misunderstood by the general population. As Public Affairs, we are able to highlight these units and put their efforts in the spot light,” said Martin.

Not only does PA assist the Army at the small unit level, the actions of these Soldiers affect the Army at higher echelons and on a broader scale.

“Everything from recruiting to combat power is effected by the views and opinions of the tax payers who fund our military strength. They deserve to know what’s going on within the military. We (Public Affairs Soldiers) are the ones who are responsible for showing that possible new recruit what a good organization we are, or for showing that voter why he or she should support military funding,” said Martin.

With such a critical responsibility and a nation that is constantly in touch with the media and world relations, superior Public Affairs Soldiers are needed now more than ever.

“I re-classed to Public Affairs because it was one of the only available military jobs when my previous job became over-manned,” said Sgt. Antonio Vincent, a broadcast Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) who serves with the 10th Press Camp Headquarters at Fort Bragg.

“Although it has been mentally challenging, I’m so glad I made the switch. Since joining the Public Affairs world, I have had opportunities to work alongside every branch of service and to work with service members ranking from private all the way to colonel,” said Vincent, who now has three years of Public Affairs experience.

Not only are Public Affairs Soldiers able to work with service members both above and below their pay grade, they also get to work with Soldiers in different career fields. Many Public Affairs Soldiers have the opportunity to work with everyone from local media outlets and community leaders to Army mechanics and infantrymen.

“Since joining Public Affairs I have had the chance to see and understand the Army’s capabilities as a whole. In my last job I only saw bits and pieces of the Army. Now I’ve had the chance to work with everyone from Special Forces to the teachers at the Fort Bragg Schools,” said Staff Sgt. Brandon C. McIntosh, a Public Affairs NCO assigned to the 49th Public Affairs Detachment.

With a broader scope of knowledge about the Army as a whole and its ongoing missions, Public Affairs Soldiers are able to fulfill the Army’s obligation to keep the American people and the Army informed, helping establish the conditions that lead to confidence in America’s Army and its readiness to conduct operations in peacetime, conflict and war.

“For us to be successful in Public Affairs and accomplish our mission, we need the right people. We need Soldiers who are intelligent, honest, self-motivated and who always display a positive attitude,” said Martin.

• Date Taken: 01.06.2015
• Date Posted: 01.06.2015 10:39
• Story ID: 151411
• Location: FORT BRAGG, NC, US