Advance Your Skills in
Public Affairs

Use your expertise to inform internal and external audiences while safeguarding mission details from our enemies. Brush up on what it takes to tell our story without jeopardizing national security.

Strengthen Your Position to Weaken Disinformation

Use these nine social media tactics, tips and tools to weaken the impact of information disorder on the web.

An airman reads a book to children seated on the floor.

Community Relations as a Process

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Matt Verdin, the commanding officer of Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, reviews a briefing card prepared by 1st Lt. Iris Robare, the deputy director of Communication Strategy and Operations, with the 31st MEU, during Talisman Sabre 23 at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Queensland, Australia, July 26, 2023. The COMMSTRAT officer develops communication plans; communicates with internal, domestic and international audiences; advises commanders and staffs on communication and strategy matters; and oversees the development and official release of written and visual information products. Talisman Sabre demonstrates U.S. commitment to the region: we seek to build enduring, mutually beneficial relationships and invest in training to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. Talisman Sabre is the largest bilateral military exercise between Australia and the United States advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific by strengthening capabilities to respond to a wide array of potential security concerns. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher R. Lape)

Implementing a Communication Plan

A person holding a tablet, sitting behind a desk that says "DINFOS Live." Graphic elements of a paper, pencil, camera and workflow are scattered in the background.

DINFOS Live: PA & VI Office Management Techniques

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Get Ahead of Disinformation with Active Monitoring

Learn how the B-2 Bomber Task Force uses active monitoring and proactive messaging to combat disinformation.

Safeguarding Your Social Media Accounts

Review how the Air Force scrambled to handle the simultaneous hack of two Facebook accounts.

Something in the Water: Stay Vigilant

Examine lessons learned from the USAF on how to communicate effectively during a potential crisis.

A Timely Call to Action: Social Injustice

Learn how the Air Force took timely action that affected real change within the culture of their organization.

A Leadership Podcast That Leads by Example

Learn about a successful interview-style format through the podcast, The Leadership List.

Authenticity Matters When the Stakes Are High

Watch how leaving the camera rolling led to raw and human moments during a video on suicide awareness.

Be Present and Engaged in the Community

Learn how community building through partnership, such as the Adopt-a-School program, gets meaningful results.

Building Community with Neighbors Outside the Gate

Learn how "Explore the Eifel" has strengthened bonds between Airmen and their host nation for over a decade.

Leave Them Laughing! Humor Makes the Spot Memorable

Learn how comedic techniques create a memorable spot on operational security.

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Interview Prep for Subject Matter Experts

Use this pre-interview checklist to thoroughly prepare a subject matter expert for any type of interview.

508 Compliance Audit: PDF Document

Ensure your PDF is 508 compliant.

Build Media Relations From the Ground Up

Follow this checklist when establishing or improving media relations.

Conducting An Efficient Community Meeting

Use this checklist to prepare, execute and assess a community meeting.

During a Crisis: Establish and Transition Guide

Use this checklist to hit the ground running upon short-notice deployment to a crisis or emergency.

During a Crisis: Daily Shift Change Actions

Follow this checklist to ensure a seamless transition between shifts.

Before, During and After a VIP/DV Visit

Adequately and appropriately prepare for a very important person or distinguished visitor visit.

During a Crisis: Crisis Action Team

Use this checklist to carry out the responsibilities of the Crisis Action Team (CAT).

During a Crisis: Media Operations Center

Use this checklist to carry out the responsibilities of the Media Operations Center (MOC).

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Annex F Development

Use this template to develop an Annex F to provide additional details and guidance for an OPLAN.

Persona Framework

Customize this template to capture audience personas that fuel content strategy.

Implementing a Communication Plan

Use this template to plan the details to implement your communication plan, such as tasks or events and when.

After a Crisis: Team Self Evaluation

This Excel template helps a team evaluate its crisis performance to better prepare for any future crisis.

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Template

Easily create your own standard operating procedure with this Microsoft Word template.

Podcast Idea Analysis Worksheet

Use this template to analyze your audience and research existing markets to validate your next podcast idea.

Social Media Performance Report

Use this to write an actionable report to inform leadership on your strategy's analytics for the quarter/year.

Social Media Post Assessment Tracker

Use this template to capture quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate social media posts.

SWOT Research Analysis Framework

Use this template to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for a project or initiative.

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How to Create Your Own SOP Document

Follow these simple steps to author any standard operating procedure or SOP document.

Optimize Your Content With A/B Testing

Follow these steps to user-test your social media content and better reach your public.

How To Create a Bulletproof Response

Learn how to join command message with critical information in a format that reduces out-of-context quotes.

How to Read an OPORD

Walkthrough a sample Operations Order (OPORD) and understand the key takeaways of the situation or mission.

How to Create an After Action Report

Use this guide to write a report that gives insight into improving processes and tactics for future...

How to Compose an Initial Release

Use this step-by-step guide to complete an initial release using the Initial Release Template.

How to Plan a Campaign

Follow these steps to plan a compelling and engaging campaign.

How to Prepare a Briefing Card

Prepare a public statement for a subject matter expert (SME), review the facts, establish an end state, theme,...

How to be Effective with Social Media During a C...

Watch this video to remind yourself of what steps to take on social media during a crisis.

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Avoid Social Media Sandtraps

Knowledge Check

Evaluate your social media response skills now so you don't get stuck when the pressure is on.

Test Your Media Operations Knowledge

Knowledge Check

Prove you're a media operations master by scoring high on this 10 question test.

How Should You React In This Scenario?

Knowledge Check

Test your knowledge of community relations and engagement by answering questions based on tricky scenarios.

Keep Your Cool When Things Heat Up

Test your crisis communication skills in this simulation of an aircraft crash at an air show.

9 Chances to Get It Write

Knowledge Check

Test your knowledge of grammar, punctuation and sentence structure. Watch out for "gotchas!"

Whatever You Do, Don't Panic

Do you know what to do when a crisis hits? Test your skills when a hurricane is heading straight for your...

Choose the Right Social Media Platform

Practice your knowledge of social media and identify type, purpose and platform for three scenarios.

What Does the Commander Actually Want

Practice how well you can deduce commander's intent by reviewing a memo sent to your office.

What's Wrong With This Post?

Knowledge Check

Analyze social media posts and see if you can detect what's wrong.

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DoDI 5535.12

Policy & Doctrine

Reference DoD Instruction 5535.12 DoD Branding and Trademark Licensing Program Implementation (29 April 2020).

DoDD 5535.09

Policy & Doctrine

Reference DoD Directive 5535.09 DoD Branding and Trademark Licensing Program (19 December 2007).

Identity Awareness, Protection and Management Guide

Policy & Doctrine

Reference the DoD Identity Awareness, Protection and Management Guide (12th Edition, March 2021).

DoDI 8170.01

Policy & Doctrine

Reference DoD Instruction 8170.01 Online Information Management and Electronic Messaging (24 August 2021).

DoDI 5400.17

Policy & Doctrine

Reference the DoDI 5400.17 Official Use of Social Media for Public Affairs Purposes (24 January 2023).

DoD Directive 5105.60

Policy & Doctrine

Reference the DoD Directive 5105.60 National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) (July 29, 2009).

DoD Directive 5160.48

Policy & Doctrine

Reference DoDD 5160.48 Public Affairs & Visual Information (PA & VI) Education & Training (Nov. 20, 2017).

DoD Data Strategy

Policy & Doctrine

Reference Executive Summary: DoD Data Strategy (30 September 2020).

DoD Directive 5105.74

Policy & Doctrine

Reference the DoD Directive 5105.74 Defense Media Activity (DMA) (Change 1) (August 29, 2017).

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