3rd Cavalry Regiment builds America’s confidence in America’s Army

Photo By Staff Sgt. Lyndsey Prax | Maj. Vance Trenkel, a resident of Ontario, Ore., is the public affairs Officer and Afghan adviser for 3rd Cavalry Regiment serving at Forward Operating Base Gamberi.  

FORWARD OPERATING BASE GAMBERI, AFGHANISTAN

11.03.2014

Courtesy Story

U.S. Forces Afghanistan

By U.S. Army Master Sgt. Stuart C. Morgan
U.S. Forces Afghanistan

NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Third Cavalry Regiment Public Affairs Officer, Maj. Vance Trenkel, sat down to discuss the duties of a Public Affairs Officer and the impact of what PAO brings to the table.

Trenkel, a resident of Ontario, Oregon, enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1999 as a medic, was later commissioned in 2004 as an Infantry Lieutenant and branch transferred to Public Affairs in 2013. He holds a degree in chemistry from Oregon State University and has earned the coveted Ranger tab. Trenkel commanded a recruiting company in Eugene, Oregon, and was the first U.S. Officer to train the first Special Forces unit of the Kenyan Army in small unit tactics. Trenkel is married to Mrs. Saralena Trenkel (Katz), has a dog named Sadie, and enjoys golf.

Trenkel outlined the purpose of Public Affairs.

“I leverage strategic communication to meet the Commander’s intent. I’m there to tell the story of the Soldiers and of this storied Regiment and present that story in multiple media platforms to the people of the United States to instill trust and confidence in their military and the use of their tax dollars.”

Trenkel has been very successful in making that story be told.

“Facebook is by far the most effective means of communication. With a well-placed and well written message, I have reach about two million people," he said.

Trenkel has also leveraged professional journalists from such news agencies as the Washington Post, Reuters, and the Wall Street Journal.

“Using these professionals to cover a story that we have framed, helps distribute news of the 3d Cavalry Regiment to a wide and diverse base," he said.

Trenkel is dual hatted as the Regimental PAO and as a PAO advisor to the Afghan National Army.

“I’ve had the honor of directly advising the ANA 203rd and 201st Corps, and Indirectly, I’ve advised the ANP and ABP."

Trenkel explained the double edged sword of “media power."

“I am concerned about leaders not understanding the power of the media," he said. "National resources are provided to things that impact us at the national level. I have seen pundits that use this huge power we call the media irresponsibly. My only hope is that those in power do not leverage the the media to cause damage, waste resources, or cause loss of life only for their own personal interests."

Trenkel urged that the PAO is not there to adjust facts. That is something the PAO simply just does not do, he said.
"Military deception is not our world. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), we are not allowed to professionally, or militarily, deceive U.S. people and personnel," he added. "I help build trust in the American people and our politicians so they in turn support the military. The phrase “Support our Troops” and the way it’s been marketed, has done huge things for our Soldiers. In contrast, the support for our Soldiers was not there in the 1960’s and 70’s. The Soldier who served in Vietnam was just a citizen like the rest of us, or an 18 year old who was drafted to support his country. Today, soldiers are welcomed home with huge ceremonies and public support. The PAO helps portray their story."

I asked Trenkel what is the biggest challenge facing PAO officers in today’s Army.

“Some leaders are afraid because of a previously bad interaction with a reporter. I’m lucky my commander understands that bad news is not always a horrible thing, and helps build trust between the commander and the American people. An example would be the Fort Hood shootings in 2009 and 2014," Trenkel said. "The Fort Hood PAO instantly got ahead of the story and fed the media outlet’s want for knowledge and information. Because they did this and reported the bad news story, they came off as looking better. They were trusted by the American people. If we always painted a picture of unicorn’s and rainbows, obviously we’d be hiding something."

Trenkel wanted to thank his mentors LTC Luedeke, the senior PAO officer for the 1st Cavalry Division, and LTC Rainsford, the CJTF-10 PAO for “helping mold me into the PAO officer I am today”. Trenkel emphasized “Public Affairs is more about the people of the nation we love and serve. We stand ready to keep the American people and the Army informed and help establish conditions that lead to confidence in America’s Army and its readiness to conduct operations in peacetime, conflict, and war”.

Brave Rifles!

• Date Taken: 11.03.2014
• Date Posted: 11.15.2014 09:24
• Story ID: 147950
• Location: FORWARD OPERATING BASE GAMBERI, AF
• Hometown: FORT CAVAZOS, TEXAS, US
• Hometown: KILLEEN, TEXAS, US
• Hometown: ONTARIO, OREGON, US