COMREL
This musical outreach activity is a classic example of a community‑relations program that boosts public morale.
What is a band concert?
Short, one‑page notice designed solely to entice journalists to show up and cover your event.
What is a media advisory?
A broad, news‑worthy statement that guides all subordinate talking points.
What is a command message?
The brief, downward glance you use to collect your thoughts, preferred over looking skyward on live TV.
What is looking down to pause?
Bite‑sized statements that back up a command message and keep an expert on track during Q&A.
What are talking points?
Along with band concerts and community events, this “bureau” sends uniformed speakers to local schools and clubs.
What is the Speakers’ Bureau?
A media query must always be these two things; one about speed, one about accuracy.
What are timely and accurate?
Unlike the big‑picture command message, this tool tackles the reporter’s “how” or “what” questions with concise detail.
What is a talking point?
During an on‑camera interview, stay conversational yet maintain this leadership‑sounding tone.
What is an authoritative tone?
A well‑chosen spokesperson combines deep subject knowledge with this presentation skill.
What is effective delivery / being an effective presenter?
Two local economic indicators most likely to rise (or fall) with a base’s arrival or departure.
What are housing prices and retail sales?
Nickname for the orientation that immerses embedded reporters in military culture before they deploy with troops.
What is “media boot camp”?
A broad, news‑worthy statement that guides all subordinate talking points.
What is a command message?
After an interview you should clarify errors and confirm air dates, but you should never do this to the reporter.
What is critique their on‑camera performance?
Core contents of a standard press kit include fact sheets, a press release, PA contact info and this brief résumé.
What is an SME bio?
When a base closes, the PA office must help the town cope with lost revenue and ensure this safety measure is complete.
What is making sure the area is clean and safe?
First two items you record when a reporter calls with a question.
What are the date/time of the call and the reporter’s deadline?
Nickname for the orientation that immerses embedded reporters in military culture before they deploy with troops.
What is “media boot camp”?
This single‑word tone, conversational yet confident, is the sweet spot for military spokespeople on camera.
What is authoritative?
Facility—often activated during crises—that centralizes briefings, handouts and press kits for large groups of media.
What is a Media Operations Center (MOC) or news conference site?
An ongoing relationship that fosters trust between a military installation and its surrounding civilians.
What is community relations?
In a media pool, the PA office doesn’t pick the reporters, but it does supply these two forms of assistance.
What are setup assistance and transportation?
Three qualities every command message should have: newsworthy, understandable and this final trait.
What is relevant?
One prep step you never ask an SME to do, because it makes them sound robotic on camera.
What is memorize a script?
True or False: the SME’s personal phone number belongs in every press kit.
What is False?