Charmaine R Means

Expanded Public Information Imperative in the Contemporary Operating Environment Charmaine R Means

Publisher Marketing: Strong public affairs activities and operational support promote a greater understanding of the Army and its contribution to the nation, relevant in obtaining international legitimacy and support. The problem is that current Army Public Affairs doctrine, resources, and training constrained efforts to adequately service tactical and operational level leaders on the battlefield and to adequately inform the American public during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. Thus, the central research question is: Is public information expansion to all audiences imperative in the contemporary operating environment? The grounded method of research uses the DOTMLPF model to review current public affairs doctrine, to illustrate how public affairs support was extended to all media in one case, and to explain expanded public information effects on operations. Army Public Affairs can focus support to fully exploit the advances in the global information environment and to provide an increased valued service on the battlefield. Military credibility in forward theaters creates conditions for stability in a region of uncertainty, at little to no cost and effort. A focused public affairs program could have mitigated coalition forces' current struggle to "win hearts and minds" of the Iraqi people by effectively using truthful information as the primary weapon of choice.