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

[Patricia Mitcham]

Good morning all,

 

I have been reading all of these with great interest.  Maj. Henson has written what I have been thinking for a long time.  Thank you for expressing it so well. 

 

Regards,

 

Pat Mitcham, Lt Col, CAP

Huntsville Senior Squadron

Public Affairs Officer

Public Information Officer

 

 

From: cap-pao-bounces at lists.sempervigilans.org [mailto:cap-pao-bounces at lists.sempervigilans.org] On Behalf Of Lt Col Hertel
Sent: Sunday, August 10, 2014 5:19 PM
To: CAP Public Affairs Officers
Subject: Re: [PAO] [Bulk] FW: New CAPP 201 - Public Affairs Officer Specialty Track

 

 

I've been saying for years, PAOs and PIOs should be able to attend DINFOS.  

 

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Smartphone

 

-------- Original message --------

From: jaimielhenson at fuse.net <mailto:jaimielhenson at fuse.net>  

Date:08/10/2014 15:57 (GMT-06:00) 

To: CAP Public Affairs Officers 

Subject: Re: [PAO] [Bulk] FW: New CAPP 201 - Public Affairs Officer Specialty Track 

 

Wayne you nailed it better than I did. Reading the responses, many are in agreement, we have just communicated it differently.

I do not believe all PAOs can or should be PIOs. I stand by that. It is a specialized function. I have said for many, many years all PIOs should be PAOs, as the generalities of Public Affairs apply to both. The CAP PIO absolutely needs an elevated level of training in order to liaison with other agency PIOs, the PAO does not need that same level of training. 

I agree PIOs should not ever have the goal of being on camera or in the newspaper, but the fact is they should always be prepared to do so. I have yet to work with an IC who wanted to conduct the interview (I have come across a few pilots who are not camera shy!) They have always requested I perform that function. I try to get cadets on camera and in the paper as often as possible, a young person's face is worth, well, you know. On mission, the PIO is one of two points of contact, and most likely the first person the press is going to speak with. If we present someone who is shipshod in uniform, grammar, speaking ability, etc...the information gathering is going to end right there. That is what I was referring to about appearance, etc... We have to look and sound the part even if we are not ultimately the actual part.

Jaimie Henson, Maj.
Public Affairs Officer
Public Information Officer
Kentucky Wing

  _____  

From: "lockit3" < <mailto:lockit3 at att.net> lockit3 at att.net>
To:  <mailto:jcarlson at flwg.us> jcarlson at flwg.us, "CAP Public Affairs Officers" < <mailto:cap-pao at lists.sempervigilans.org> cap-pao at lists.sempervigilans.org>
Sent: Sunday, August 10, 2014 4:02:56 PM
Subject: Re: [PAO] [Bulk] FW: New CAPP 201 - Public Affairs Officer        Specialty Track

Releasing the new Capp201 has certainly stirred a conversation. I have my own opinions about the new specialty track requirements but am trying to let them evolve as I watch the discussion grow. 

 

So far I have seen both ends of the spectrum, from PAO and PIO functions should be completely separate from each other to the two should be one and the same with absolutely no separation of duties. I can’t help but think that somewhere between those two lies the correct position. Where I see the conversation sitting right now, indicates to me that we are approached the wrong end of the mule. By this I mean, perhaps the PAO specialty track rating should be a requirement for PIO instead of the PAO being required to be so immersed in the operational side of things.

 

There is no doubt changes need to be made, I am not sure that what has come about is as wrong or as right as the replies in this message board imply. When I asked why the specialty track became so operational oriented, Deep Water Horizon was held up to me as the example of how our PAO’s worked with so many paid agencies and how the level of professionalism shown on that mission should be maintained, grown and spread across the organization. First I would submit that those were PIO’s not PAO’s. Second overall it is one of the best arguments for PIO’s to more fully develop PAO skills. My reason for stating this is, this is going to sting a little, they didn’t do a very good job. No one but C.A.P. members knows that C.A.P. participated in the Deep Water Horizon mission. I had been involved in C.A.P. for eight months and a member for two before I knew we had anything to do with it or that we had a video illustrating it. 

 

Part of the reason for this is that C.A.P.  P.I.O.’s do not “stand shoulder to shoulder” with PIO’s from other agencies. In the above example every agency but CAP that was involved had a PIO on camera behind the Coast Guard Admiral who was giving the briefings. I totally agree with Jeff that we should be about the job at hand and not ribbon collecting or self-promotion, however, if we are to be consistent about the duties should work so closely together, we have a task to promote CAP’s existence and mission. If we are not visible at the party we have failed at that task.

 

I have attended three annual Public Affairs Academies in my two years in CAP and have learned volumes from some of the best in the organization. Sometimes much to his chagrin, I have adopted one of those outstanding professionals as my mentor. These classes help build the kind of skills that will allow us to be in a position to let our presence be seen without angering the paid organizations we are there to assist and inform. 

 

Now, as for ribbon collecting and progression. This is something that will be very difficult for many to do if the current requirements stand. The issue with this is that progression, which comes with the ribbons is not optional in Civil Air Patrol. You must progress to remain in the organization, therefore, attaining a technician level and making the annual training academies is not really an option.  With the requirements as they are we may lose members because of lack of progression. I know we need the skills to do our job correctly and I have shown that I do not mind continuing education, I had to do that when I was a Volunteer Firefighter, I just think maybe we should concentrate a little less on having credentials (in my view this is a national mandate to “collect ribbons” in the form of FEMA certifications) and more on seeing if there are alternative methods to build the same skills. 

 

Sorry for the lengthy response,

 

 

Curtis “Wayne” Hooks 1st Lt.

Civil Air Patrol

FLWG Online Newsfeed Manager

Group 1 Public Affairs Officer

Group 1 Recruitment and Retention Officer

Tallahassee Composite Squadron

Ser FL-432

Public Affairs Officer

Recruitment and Retention Officer

 

 

 

 

 

From:  <mailto:cap-pao-bounces at lists.sempervigilans.org> cap-pao-bounces at lists.sempervigilans.org [ <mailto:cap-pao-bounces at lists.sempervigilans.org> mailto:cap-pao-bounces at lists.sempervigilans.org] On Behalf Of Jeff Carlson, Grp 5 HQ
Sent: Sunday, August 10, 2014 2:57 PM
To: 'CAP Public Affairs Officers'
Subject: [Bulk] [PAO] FW: New CAPP 201 - Public Affairs Officer Specialty Track

 

There are many who argue that PAO and PIO should be rolled under the same umbrella.  I don’t think that is necessary though I envision the required areas of training would be almost duplicate. It is a volunteer organization and the members should be allowed some choice in their primary mission area. Having PIOs and PAOs participate in the same training activities could help eliminate the silo effect between operations and support that many have complained about. 

 

Public information is a tactical (specific mission) application of public relations.  Public affairs focuses more on a strategic (long term) application of public relations. An active mission does not preclude consideration of CAP’s strategic public relation goals. Public Affairs should not be shut down because of an active mission.  I do agree we can vastly improve the cross-functional integration between the two areas.

 

An entry-level PAO needs to understand the lane markings in regards to an active mission; it doesn’t hurt to have a senior level PAO gain a better understanding of the CAP ES mission by earning a GES-rating and working with a rated-PIO to exercise skills; mission information is a slice of the overall CAP public affairs pie so a Master-rated CAP PAO should have a working understanding of PIO responsibilities.   

 

The National Incident Management System (NIMS) does require incident resources, including human, to meet a set standard.  We have an obligation to meet these requirements.

 

Very few individuals possess all of the writing, photo/video-graphy, information technology, media relations skills and a square-jaw that looks good on camera.  In my opinion, we need to change course and emphasize team-building. The ability to work as part of a team is more important than any single PR skill.  Even the best writer will wisely have a second pair of eyes look over the prose.  Just like we train aircrews so that we can take members from different units and put them together for a sortie, we need to train our information personnel to “form, storm, norm, perform” and maximize individual strengths. 

 

In my opinion, a good lead PIO doesn’t have to be able to write, take a photo without the thumb over the lens, or even have a Twitter account.  A good lead PIO knows how to set effective information goals, organize and utilize available resources, and work within the existing political landscape. Can you show me where these skills are addressed in CAP PIO training? Are we developing effective leadership among our public relations personnel? Maybe this is a source of the ongoing dysfunction.  

 

Jeff

 

 

 

From: Cianciolo, Lt Col, Paul [ <mailto:paul.cianciolo at natcapwg.cap.gov> mailto:paul.cianciolo at natcapwg.cap.gov] 
Sent: Sunday, August 10, 2014 1:33 PM
To: CAP PAO Listserv;  <mailto:jcarlson at flwg.us> jcarlson at flwg.us
Subject: Re: [PAO] New CAPP 201 - Public Affairs Officer Specialty Track

 

I agree with your disagreement Jeff. We are one CAP and need to speak to the media that way if on a mission or not. You can't take the mission out of CAP and still have the same organization.

I think what is needed is to ensure that mission PIOs are plugged into the PA system and not separate.

Lt Col Paul Cianciolo
Sent from my Droid DNA

On Aug 10, 2014 12:31 PM, "Jeff Carlson, Grp 5 HQ" <jcarlson at flwg.us <mailto:jcarlson at flwg.us> > wrote:

I disagree that PIOs and PAOs have different skill sets. I also disagree that a PIO has to be all things and I am saddened every time I come across this “army-of-one” attitude.  We need to become more team oriented in our public affairs/mission information efforts.  When you fully understand the scope of public information needs, you quickly realize the job is bigger than any one person.  The job of the public information officer includes all those things Maj. Hensen listed under the “behind-the-scene” PAO duties. For example, social media has become a major part any of public information plan of action. In addition, both PAOs and PIOs need to develop media relation skills.  

 

It is very important for a PIO to have skills for working in conjunction with PIOs from other agencies. The reality is that CAP is virtually never the lead agency in a mission. We are invited to the party, it is not our party.  Even a small REDCAP, the local sheriff’s office is the lead agency and the sheriff’s office PIO is the lead PIO for the mission. There are political influences at work on a county level and a CAP PIO needs to maintain situational awareness. Circumventing the lead PIO is unprofessional. A CAP PIO needs to know how to develop a relationship and support the lead PIO while working to ensure the CAP part of the story is included in the public message.  

 

When working as part of a major multi-agency response effort, the CAP PIO is going to be the CAP liaison to the incident’s Joint Information System (JIS). Each agency has their representative. A CAP PIO becomes responsible for submitting CAP “facts=

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