Friday, June 20, 2008
How can the U.S. Military Improve its Perception Amongst the International Community?
I feel that I am personally involved with this process. Because I am a U.S. Soldier, when I deploy, I not only represent the political process of my leaders, but I also represent the U.S.A. Your comments will be greatly appreciated.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Rob,
I think it is time to embrace the media and start getting them on our side. I'm convinced that the only way to shift people's opinion is for them to experience goodness form the US military themselves or get it from the media. How many times have we've heard that we're getting our butts kicked by Al Qaeda in the information areana.
It's time to continue in the direction we're already heading in terms of improvement and start dumping some serious resources into the problem. For example, one way we could embrace the media would be to start a program that trains them properly. Most journalists have little to no military experience and often misuse even the most simple military terms. When someone is describing something that they have no personal experience in (like conducting an attack) to people that also do not have that experience, it's important to get it right, otherwise everyone will miss the important points.
Secondly, we need to give these journalists some incentives. Many of us have heard that the "good news" stories of the military in OEF and OIF are not published because they will not get the ratings the media is looking for. Those stories are too "boring" and not filled with bloodshed and excitement. Ok - then buy some prime time network air time and ask them to use it to pitch some of those positive stories. By the way, both of these include interaction with media from other nations...as American media only influences American public opinion.
These are just some simple thoughts...but the bottom line is we have to start putting our money where our mouth is and start paying the price...money talks!
MAJ Chris Emond
Student
Command and General Staff School
Fort Belvoir, VA
Post a Comment