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by Capt. Janet Herrick
5th Mobile Public Affairs Det.
KIRKUK, Iraq – The training between U.S. and Iraqi organizations is not just security focused, but also includes infrastructure, health care, logistics, communications, and emergency response units.
In the communications realm, Maj. Derrick Cheng, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division Public Affairs Officer, trains the public affairs leaders of the Iraqi Army, Police, and Fire Department weekly. The training focuses on news products; media relations and how to better disseminate information to the people of Kirkuk.
Public Affairs Officers are the spokesperson for their commanders and their organization. They are also the link to the people and the media.
During a recent training session PA leaders discussed how they communicate to the people and how they can improve in their role as PA Officers.
"We need improvement in our writing, editing, and photography. We are concerned about getting better," said 2nd Lt. Baligh Hamdi, Iraqi Police Public Affairs Officer.
While the Iraqis have no formal public affairs training or manuals, Hamdi believes they can learn a lot through idea sharing and cooperation with this training.
Maj. Cheng asked the PA leaders what training their unit needs to help them communicate to the Iraqi people. He also reminded them to listen to the Iraqi soldiers and policemen.
"Sometimes we (leaders) forget our subordinates have good ideas and can provide a better perspective as they look at things from a different angle," said Cheng.
The Iraqi Police PA shared their monthly news magazines and children's booklets. The children's booklets use pictures to show how to contact the police and what to do in an emergency.
In a meeting prior to the training, the Governor of Kirkuk, Abdul-Rahman Musttafa said, "Media has an important role. I don't want the media to only transmit the positive; media must also transmit reality,"
As training continues, Maj. Cheng hopes leaders will consider media in all their operations and how their PA leaders can assist them in making the operation successful.
| Date Taken: | 10.17.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 10.17.2006 10:34 |
| Story ID: | 8044 |
| Location: | KIRKUK, IQ |
| Web Views: | 113 |
| Downloads: | 42 |
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