Public Affairs Office

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Meeting the Media
Public Affairs Office Utah National Guard
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Agenda

• Command Messages
• Media Interview Tips
• Hometown Media
• UPAR Program

Agenda
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Command Messages

• The National Guard is strong, our personnel
  ready, and our missions crucial for the security
  of America.
• The National Guard is present for duty, bringing
  great skills, talent, and capabilities to bear in
  an increasingly dangerous world.
• Whether at home or abroad, keeping Americans safe
  is a prime responsibility of the National Guard.

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Be prepared to talk about

• Who you are and where youre from
• What youre doing and why youre here
• How you feel about being here
• Your working conditions
• Training you receive
• How deployment has affected you

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Media Interview Tips

• Media looking for first-hand information on your
  experiences
• We are the good guys--we need to remind the media
  of that
• Were doing the right thing
• Tell our side of the story or no one else will

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Media Interview Tips

• 1. Stay in your lane. Defer questions outside
  your area of responsibility to the PAO.
• 2. You are in control of the interview. Think
  before answering the question and take as much
  time as you need.
• 3. Speak in plain English. Avoid the use of
  acronyms. Use language a child would be able to
  understand.

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Media Interview Tips

• 4. Dont speculate. Its okay to say that you
  dont know the answer.
• 5. Always treat the media professionally, even if
  they become aggressive.
• 6. Talk to the media with a PAO representative
  present.

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Media Interview Tips

• 7. Use Bridging to transition from what you
  cannot talk about into what you know you can talk
  about.
• Example I cant talk about that because (state
  reason), however, what I can tell you is (command
  message)

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Media Interview Tips

• NEVER DISCUSS
• Rules of engagement
• Security measures
• Future operations
• Items that would violate OPSEC

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Hometown Media

• If a reporter from your local area contacts you
  directly, refer them to your local PAO or to the
  Utah State PAO
• While on leave or TDY, do not feel pressured to
  give interviews
• Rules on prior slides still apply dont discuss
  OPSEC-sensitive items

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Unit Public Affairs Representative (UPAR)

• UPAR is your units point of contact with PAO
• Local/Utah PAOs assist UPAR in telling your
  units story

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UTNG Public Affairs Office
MAJ Hank McIntire, PAO, [phone] DSN
766-4407 hank.mcintire_at_us.army.mil
UTNG Public Web Site
www.ut.ngb.army.mil
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Summary

• Media interviews are your opportunity to help
  tell your units story
• Key Command words and messages
• We help keep America safe at home and abroad.
• We are properly prepared, trained, and equipped
  to perform our mission.

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QUESTIONS ?