Media: How to Cover an Army Reserve Story

If you are a member of the international media thinking about an Army Reserve story, thanks for visiting the Blogs Over Baghdad website and blog. The Soldiers of the 314th Public Affairs Operations Center have a mission in Baghdad to facilitate the needs of the media in telling all their stories about Iraq and the involvement of the U.S. government in helping the people of this country create something new and different.

If you are traveling to Baghdad to cover an Army Reserve story, your first stop will likely be the Combined Press Information Center. Once there, you will be administratively processed and provided several support options. See the “For The Media” link at the Multi-National Force –Iraq website at http://www.mnf-iraq.com/.

However, if you cannot travel to Baghdad, there are many options to help you tell your story. Here are a few options you may not have considered:

• Pre-deployment. A big part of the deployment story for any Army Reserve unit is what happens before they leave the country. By starting early, you can visit your local deploying unit and develop a two-way relationship that will support their mission throughout the year they are gone. This is a popular option in many smaller and middle size media markets. It doesn’t matter what type of media – television, newspaper, radio, major employer news, or specialty publications (government, constituent groups, trade magazines, websites) – Army Reserve Public Affairs has something to offer.
• During deployment - embedding. If a local Army Reserve unit has already deployed, you still have options. Perhaps you want to place embedded media with that unit. By working closely with your regional Public Affairs Office, or with the Office of Chief Army Reserve’s Public Affairs professionals, you can likely arrange an embedded opportunity that fits your time and budget.
• During deployment – DVIDS. Maybe you don’t have the budget, staff or time to send someone to Baghdad. That’s okay. The Army Reserve can also work with the Digital Video and Imagery Distribution System to coordinate taped or live interviews (with b-roll). This works well with television, radio and print outlets. Check out www.dvidshub.net for more information about this organization’s technological capabilities to support your media needs.
• During deployment – R&R leave. Even if you have decided to try the embedded or DVIDS options, don’t forget about the opportunity to talk to Soldiers directly during their two-week R&R leave back to their hometown during their deployment. Contact your regional Public Affairs professionals or the deployed unit’s rear detachment (those Soldiers who “hold down the fort” while the remainder of the unit serves overseas) for more information.
• Welcome home. One of the best and most emotion-packed Army Reserve stories is when families and civilian communities are reunited with their Soldiers. Contact the unit’s rear detachment to cover these events since the re-deployment of Army Reserve Soldiers sometimes changes due to available transportation and their medical and administration needs upon initial arrival in the United States.

Useful media links:

Multi-National Force Iraq
http://www.mnf-iraq.com/

Army Reserve Public Website (see the Contact Info link)
http://www.armyreserve.army.mil/

U.S. Army, Office of the Chief, Public Affairs
http://www.army.mil/news/mediaresources/