U.S. Soldier first to participate in Bundeswehr Int. Public Affairs Course

Photo By Maj. Jeku Arce | STRASBURG, Germany – Capt. Jeku Arce, 30th Medical Brigade Public Affairs Officer, is interviewed by a media trainer instructor during the Bundeswehr International Public Affairs Course at the Bundeswher Academy for Information and Communication on July 20 in Strausburg, Germany. (Courtesy photo by Capt. Jeku Arce, 30th Medical Brigade Public Affairs)  

STRAUSBERG, GERMANY

07.22.2016

Story by Capt. Jeku Arce 

30th Medical Brigade

STRAUSBERG, Germany – A U.S. Army Public Affairs Officer of U.S. Army Europe is the first U.S. military representative to participate in the latest iteration of the annual International Public Affairs Course hosted in Strausberg, Germany by the Bundeswehr, the Unified Army Forces of Germany.

This course, held from July 11 to 22, hosted 13 Public Affairs Officers and journalists from 12 different countries such as China, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Serbia, Montenegro, Jordan, Thailand, Mongolia, Brazil, Germany, and U.S.A.

This rigorous 2-week course included student presentations of how they conduct Public Affairs operations at their respective units, lectures on Bundeswehr Public Affairs, lessons learned from PAOs from recent Bundeswehr missions, briefings at the Parliament in Berlin, a visit to Redaktion der Bundeswehr (Editorial Staff of the Unified Army Forces of Germany), media training from working journalists from Berlin, and the capstone project: the scenario-based press conference.

Capt. Jeku Arce, Public Affairs Officer for 30th Medical Brigade and student of this course, believes cross-military training such as this is important for working military relationships.

“[30th Medical Brigade] works with many partnered nations throughout Europe and Africa on various exercises and operations,” said Arce. “Learning how other militaries run their public affairs program helps us understand how we can collaborate to tell not only my unit’s story, but our story as a collective whole with our allies.”

Arce told the “Victory Medic” story as the brigade PAO throughout various exercises such as Trident Juncture 15 (NATO’s largest exercise since 2002), Swift Response 16 (a multi-national military crisis response training event), and Anakonda 16 (a Polish-led exercise), and realizes the importance of synchronization with the participating nations.

“We rely on consistent communication, working groups, and collaboration with Public Affairs teams to tell the story of units and soldiers working together to our audiences because that is what makes each exercise a success,” said Arce.

• Date Taken: 07.22.2016
• Date Posted: 08.11.2016 06:11
• Story ID: 206769
• Location: STRAUSBERG, DE