Could use some suggestions

[Atomika]

I'm now entering my sophomore year as an officer. Our unit has never had a strong staff and now that my major is up for inspection she made us redo everything. We are trying to set goals and set things up so that the future cadets can follow in our footsteps. Any suggestions that can help us? Any team building ideas? Anything would help.

Also as for myself I am going to be the Public Affairs Officer, a position that we never had in the history of our JROTC unit. We live in the age of the Internet so I was wondering if there is an affective, easy way to get a small website started for our Unit. Anything else regarding this job would be helpful.
thanks
-Atomika

[Billyd]

Might I suggest that you return and edit your post for spelling and grammar and compliance with the Rules of Engagement (http://www.gruntsmilitary.com/board/showpost.php?p=1233&postcount=1). (No, it really isn't a suggestion). If you do those things, you will find that you receive more input.

[PhoenixCadet]

We live in the age of the internet so I was wondering if there is an affective, easy way to get a small website started for our Unit. Anything else reguarding this job would be helpful.

PM out.

-PC

[Atomika]

eh, sorry for that....but does spelling really matter? :dontgetit:

[CAPSmith]

but does spelling really matter? :dontgetit:

As a Public Affairs Officer?! Absolutely it does!

I would just like to point out that the PAO, is not only the person that publishes news, updates websites, etc - but serves as the sounding board for the commander on things that are public facing. How is this going to be perceived by the public, the troops, etc. What's the best way to announce this, etc.

As the PAO, it is your job to help keep the image of your unit positive.

[Billyd]

eh, sorry for that....but does spelling really matter? :dontgetit:

Not only does it matter, it is vital to communication. If you are destined to be the PAO for your unit, communication, by definition, is what you do. Your task will be to communicate with not only those inside your unit, but with those outside the unit as well. For example, your school newspaper, local media, etc.

Besides, if you bothered to read the ROE I linked to above, use of proper spelling and grammar are the standard. So, please go back to your original post and edit it so that it complies with the standards as set forth in the ROE.

[Atomika]

Sorry about what I said earlier on and of course I have no choice but to agree. I'm completely new at the forum and my job. It's slightly complicated but I finally got information from my hand book. :o
Thanks for all of the comments I've received, I passed my test so I'm officially the Public Affairs Officer :D

[TruBlu]

I'm now entering my sophomore year as an officer. Our unit has never had a strong staff and now that my major is up for inspection she made us redo everything. We are trying to set goals and set things up so that the future cadets can follow in our footsteps. Any suggestions that can help us? Any team building ideas? Anything would help.

As far as team building exercises, try to have your commander call mandatory staff meetings once or twice a week to get everyone involved in there at once. Have everyone doing their tasks at the same time, but slow the pace down and allow for a little chatter and let people 'bond' through a common factor, in this case, JROTC.

Also as for myself I am going to be the Public Affairs Officer, a position that we never had in the history of our JROTC unit. We live in the age of the Internet so I was wondering if there is an affective, easy way to get a small website started for our Unit. Anything else regarding this job would be helpful.

As a PAO, you need to be willing to get out there. A website is a good start, I'm sure PC gave you tons of ideas through PM. Another good way to build up a good Public Affairs position is to publish a cadet newspaper of sorts that can recap the past week, two weeks, or month. Recognize individuals and performance at events to keep everyone current, even those not in the program. Try to exploit any talents in your corps publicly also. Have a fantastic exhibition individual/duo? Get 'em to spin it up at school events in a 'cool' uniform like BDU/ABU or simply blues; loose the fancy crap, it actually doesn't look good. ;) Have a good photographer? Get him to capture some images of PT or drill to put in a school newspaper/news cast/etc.; make people aware of what you do.

That's what I can think of for now. And, while I'm at it, welcome to the board!

[Atomika]

As far as team building exercises, try to have your commander call mandatory staff meetings once or twice a week to get everyone involved in there at once. Have everyone doing their tasks at the same time, but slow the pace down and allow for a little chatter and let people 'bond' through a common factor, in this case, JROTC.



As a PAO, you need to be willing to get out there. A website is a good start, I'm sure PC gave you tons of ideas through PM. Another good way to build up a good Public Affairs position is to publish a cadet newspaper of sorts that can recap the past week, two weeks, or month. Recognize individuals and performance at events to keep everyone current, even those not in the program. Try to exploit any talents in your corps publicly also. Have a fantastic exhibition individual/duo? Get 'em to spin it up at school events in a 'cool' uniform like BDU/ABU or simply blues; loose the fancy crap, it actually doesn't look good. ;) Have a good photographer? Get him to capture some images of PT or drill to put in a school newspaper/news cast/etc.; make people aware of what you do.

That's what I can think of for now. And, while I'm at it, welcome to the board!

Thank you I'm glad I'm here, and thanks for the encouragement! Everyone has such great ideas, I can't wait to do it all! I'll make sure to set the example for everyone who follows me. :D
-Atomika

[soccermark23]

Thank you I'm glad I'm here, and thanks for the encouragement! Everyone has such great ideas, I can't wait to do it all! I'll make sure to set the example for everyone who follows me. :D
-Atomika

Also don't be afraid to take advice from those around you. Everyone has different skills and experiences and by working together and helping each other out you will have a successful time with your unit.

[Startingover]

I was a former PA officer for 2 semesters and also I was the PA assistant my sophmore year of highschool in JROTC. I gotta say, its a job if there ever was one if you could actually get it to work.

The biggest thing, you said about a website. It is highly advised against making a detachment website that is sponsoring the Air Force. I know for the ROTC level that it is nearly impossible to get a detachment website for security reasons. JROTC may not be as strict but being still an Air Force affiliated and Air Force Sponsored school program it may not be the best way for PA. If you could get your Commander to approve a website, i would advise also asking her to create a position under it for CC/IT, CC/INFO, or CC/Web Design.

Public Affairs is highly involved with the media, this is the truth but you should be more focused on your publicity within the school like the school Newscast if you have one, the Local papers, local Newscrews if they do specials on School ROTC units in your area. Yes it should be linked to the website but it should not solely be responsible for the website.

[C/ B3RRY NJROTC]

I'm the PAO for my unit too. Maybe we can help each other out throughout the year? Personally I think the best advice I can give you as of now would be to assign an assistant to help you out. If you can't show up to something, that will ensure that your unit will have proper coverage. As for the website, I have a web master so I let him take care of it so I really can't give you much advice on that, but maybe you could look into getting a tech/ internet savy cadet to be your web master(?), but mine's kinda slacking so I might give this other, promising young, cadet a chance.

[PhoenixCadet]

The biggest thing, you said about a website. It is highly advised against making a detachment website that is sponsoring the Air Force. I know for the ROTC level that it is nearly impossible to get a detachment website for security reasons. JROTC may not be as strict but being still an Air Force affiliated and Air Force Sponsored school program it may not be the best way for PA.

Works fine for our Civil Air Patrol units, and the majority of our sites are local-member managed, and they're within the .gov domain. While I'm not too familiar with JROTC / ROTC guidelines on the subject, what would the problem be with maybe having a sub-page off the school's site, or having their own separate domain - i.e. www.yourschoolJROTC.org ? There're no security risks there, and contrary to popular belief, they're great recruiting tools.

I even manage a Facebook page for my CAP unit...

-PC

[-BuLL-]

Just a little input, but my unit has a website linked off of the district's main page.

[PhoenixCadet]

It is highly advised against making a detachment website that is sponsoring the Air Force.

As noted above, I don't know why it would be "difficult" to get a website for AFJROTC or ROTC, when almost every detachment has one (unless by "sponsoring the Air Force", you mean within the .mil domain). Numerous JROTC and ROTC detachments have .com, .org, and .edu (based off their school's domain) websites.

[Billyd]

Ok, fairly certain there is a governing directive somewhere that governs the creation of web sites. How about the OP do a bit of research about web site creation and see if it is permitted by policy from his school and if the sponsoring service has any requirements that must be met.

[TruBlu]

3.1.6. The unit’s unofficial web site will contain the following disclaimer, placed in a prominent location on the page: “The information and opinions contained in this Internet site do not reflect the official policy or position of the United States Government, United States Air Force, or Air Force Officer Accession and Training Schools.”

3.1.7. Absolutely no Air Force or government resources will be used to host unofficial Home Page/Web Sites.

Can 'ya dig it?

[C.A.P. Flight Officer]

I would just like to have a little input into the PAO position. I would recommend, if you don’t have one already, publishing a unit news letter to keep everyone informed. When I was in AFJROTC in high school, I helped publish the unit's news letter and it helped all of the cadets to be informed. My unit also gave them to teacher's to help keep them informed of what was happening with the unit and the cadets. Just a little recommendation and I hope it helps.