[PAO] New CAPP 201 - Public Affairs Officer Specialty Track

[Alice Mansell]

Well said, Jaimie!

Alice

On Saturday, August 9, 2014, <jaimielhenson at fuse.net> wrote:
> I have real problems requiring PAOs to become PIOs. The positions are
very different and require very different skill sets.
>
> One can be an effective, even an outstanding PAO, "behind the scenes".
That is, writing news and community interest stories, posting/sending
photographs, maintaining facebook pages, twitter accounts, websites, etc.
It is a non-stress, non-time limit position. It does not necessarily
require one to be attractive or well-spoken or to look good in the uniform.
>
> PIO requires all of those things and then some.
>
> IF PIO is going to be required, the training needs to be taken seriously.
I had the honor of being in the first NESA PIO class several years ago.
There was a member of the class who had absolutely no business ever dealing
with the public or press. This member was an complete embarrassment to the
uniform and CAP. The member was awarded PIO credentials just because the
course was completed. There was no provision for "failing" someone who
clearly wasn't qualified.
>
> Anything can be put on a piece of paper. If CAP PAOs and PIOs want to be
seen and treated as professional equals in the "real" world, then we have
to be trained and held accountable to the same level.
>
> Not all PAOs can or should be qualified as PIOs. To force this upon
someone is either going to reduce the number of personnel willing to train
beyond the Technician Rating or is going to end with many unqualified PIOs
in the field simply because they completed a course. Neither of those
scenarios is a positive outcome for CAP Public Relations.
>
> Jaimie Henson, Maj.
> Public Affairs Officer
> Public Information Officer
> Kentucky Wing
>
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