Vol 5 Unit 1

Question 1

What is meant by the term or concept of long range planning? Why is it important?

Answer 1

Long-range planning means stepping back and taking a look at the bigger picture of the cyclical nature of communications events. This will help you more effectively plan and schedule resources for when they are needed.

Question 2

List three things that are always important to a commander.

Answer 2

Safety, morale, and mission effectiveness.

Question 3

List some resources available to help obtain the necessary information for long-range planning.

Answer 3

Staff meetings, archives, and civic organizations.

Question 4

What is the one question that should always be asked when undertaking any project intended for publication?

Answer 4

“How does this align with the commander’s objectives and priorities?”

Question 5

What are some limitations Public Affairs faces as it relates to resources? How does this impact our choices in choosing material for publication?

Answer 5

Manpower and budget. We must focus on the activities that are the most important to the commander and the ones that will have the biggest impact.

Question 6

List at least two reasons a Public Affairs person would have for not publishing something.

Answer 6

Propriety and a change of facts.

Question 7

What are some questions that should be asked as it relates to propriety?

Answer 7

a. Is this something that would cause individuals undue embarrassment?
b. Does this project the image of the Air Force or its members that we want to project?
c. Is this the best use of your time and effort in meeting the objectives of communicating the commander’s message?

Question 8

How can a change of facts affect the publication of material?

Answer 8

If the facts have changed, then the story must not be published until the corrections have been made.

Question 9

What limitations can a person in Public Affairs face when trying to produce quality products?

Answer 9

The time, money, and manpower available to produce absolutely blockbuster products may not always be available.

Question 10

Explain how the concept of being “effective” relates to quality.

Answer 10

Simply put, does the product effectively tell the story you want?

Question 11

What are the two ways being focused is important to quality? Why?

Answer 11

Correct focal length of the lens and staying on track with your subject matter.

Question 12

What types of violations can determine whether a product would be considered poor quality for publication?

Answer 12

Uniform, safety, and security violations.

Question 13

What should be done if you take a picture or shoot some video that shows an Air Force member not following proper safety protocols?

Answer 13

Imagery should always be reviewed by an expert in the subject matter as it relates to the specific task. The senior member of each shop should be able to let you know if you have imagery depicting a violation of their safety protocols.

Question 14

How do emotions relate to quality?

Answer 14

A high quality story or image is one that resonates with the emotions of the targeted audience.

Question 15

What are some questions that can be asked to determine the level of emotional impact a particular Public Affairs product has?

Answer 15

a. Does it make you laugh?
b. Do you feel angry or upset when you look at this product?
c. Can you empathize with the subject matter?
d. Did seeing or reading this make you want to cry?
e. Did you feel connected to the subject matter?
f. Do you want to share this image, video, or story with your friends?

Question 16

Why does the Public Affairs office support the commander’s call program?

Answer 16

In general, most Airmen prefer face-to-face communication by their commander.

Question 17

Why should Public Affairs people analyze the commander’s objectives and limitations involved
in making commander’s call locations recommendations?

Answer 17

As a PA professional, you are the communications expert and the commander will rely on your advice in
finding the most effective way to deliver the message.

Question 18

List three types of locations that may be chosen for a commander’s call. What are the advantages of each?

Answer 18

Single location, multiple locations or virtual. With a single location, the commander is able to reach a larger
audience at once and still maintain the ability to target his or her message to specific groups. With multiple
locations, the commander has the ability to have more “personal” discussions with feedback. Virtual commander’s calls are least costly in terms of time and logistics; and allow shift workers to “attend” if the event is recorded.

Question 19

What role does Public Affairs play in selecting topics for a commander’s call?

Answer 19

The commander relies on the Public Affairs office to keep a feel of the pulse of the base and to provide him
or her with issues that may need to be addressed.

Question 20

Why is obtaining feedback an important part of the communication process?

Answer 20

You cannot be sure that the message was effectively delivered and had the desired result unless you obtain accurate and unbiased feedback. It will also let the commander know if the message was received by the
audience and had the effect intended.

Question 21

What are some methods for obtaining feedback?

Answer 21

Monitoring social media utilized by various segments of the base populace, talking with people after the commander’s call and observing changes in behavior – these are just some of the ways to obtain feedback on the effectiveness of the commander’s call.

Question 22

What are fact sheets and what is their purpose?

Answer 22

Air Force fact sheets are brief summaries of factual information on commands, weapon systems, aircraft, or special interest topics. The primary purpose of fact sheets is to provide Public Affairs people with factual, cleared material on various Air Force subjects.

Question 23

List some ways fact sheets can be used.

Answer 23

As a source of basic reference material, you can use fact sheets to answer questions from the general public,
media representatives or other government agencies. Additionally, you can use fact sheets to prepare local speeches, feature stories, radio and television programs, news announcements, local news releases, and commander’s call items.

Question 24

Where can the public obtain copies of fact sheets?

Answer 24

Fact sheets are posted at www.af.mil.

Question 25

What is the goal of the Air Force biography program?

Answer 25

The goal of the Air Force biography program is to keep military people, civilian employees, and the public informed about the Air Force and its leaders.

Question 26

For who are official biographies required?

Answer 26

Official biographies are required for the following individuals:

a. The Secretary of the Air Force
b. Undersecretary and assistant secretaries
c. Air Force active-duty general officers and general officer selectees
d. Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force
e. Air Force attaché officers
f. f. Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command general officers who are on active duty

Question 27

For whom are official biographies optional?

Answer 27

Air Force senior executives.

Question 28

What is the website one should use to obtain official biographies?

Answer 28

www.af.mil.

Question 29

On which individuals to unit Public Affairs maintain local biographies and photos?

Answer 29

Wing and group commanders, command chief master sergeants and senior officers of associated organizations on their base.

Question 30

What type of information is contained on the biographies of retired general officers?

Answer 30

Retired officer biographies reflect information through their final assignment. Updates or revisions are not
made on biographies after an individual dies.

Question 31

Why are speeches an important communication tool?

Answer 31

They help the Air Force deliver key messages to audiences at all levels.

Question 32

What are senior leadership speeches? Why are they useful?

Answer 32

Senior leadership speeches are texts of speeches or statements by key Air Force or DOD leaders which are selected based on subject timeliness, importance, and application or interest Air Force-wide. They can be used in speeches written for commanders and other speakers. They help keep Public Affairs people up to date on Air Force and DOD policies. They are definitive statements of policy, and therefore can be used as research reference material.

Question 33

Define Air Force Speech Series.

Answer 33

They are original speeches produced by the Air Force that focus on national days of recognition, as well as
special topics, such as Veterans Day, Independence Day and POW-MIA Recognition Day.

Question 34

How do Public Affairs personnel use speeches from the Air Force Speech Series?

Answer 34

Public Affairs officers, members of the speaker’s bureaus, or senior leaders may use the speech series to expand their role in the Air Force and civilian communities.

Question 35

Define action lines.

Answer 35

Action lines are tools commanders can use to address concerns, grievances and to pass along compliments.

Question 36

Who is responsible for managing action lines?

Answer 36

Typically, Public Affairs manages the Action Line, but it can be whomever the commander designates.

Question 37

What considerations should be made in the decision to publish an action line?

Answer 37

Whether or not an action line complaint and response are published requires discernment and a decision on
whether or not such material aligns with the commander’s overall communications objectives.

Question 38

When could a Public Affairs practitioner find themselves in a situation where they would need to know how to design a newspaper from scratch?

Answer 38

In a deployed environment or when working in a joint environment.

Question 39

What questions should be asked in determining the design style to use for a publication?

Answer 39

What is the purpose of the communication, does this product achieve those results; or would it be more effectively achieved if designed differently?

Question 40

What design principle is violated when a Public Affairs practitioner spends too much time trying to develop the “perfect” design?

Answer 40

Simplicity.

Question 41

Explain effective communication as it relates to design.

Answer 41

Effective communication simply mean ensuring that whatever design is selected, that it is able to deliver results in a manner that is effective. In other words, does the design chosen help or hinder your communications objective?

Question 42

What is true about “fundamental design rules”?

Answer 42

The only fundamental thing about these “rules” is that they change over time and as peoples’ preferences change–much like fashion.

Question 43

What is desktop publishing?

Answer 43

Designing and producing some type of material for publication using a computer.

Question 44

How has technology changed the publishing world?

Answer 44

It has made the production of material, such as posters, flyers, magazines, or newspapers, much easier and
faster than ever before.

Question 45

What will determine what type of software you will use in desktop publishing?

Answer 45

What type of software you use for desktop publishing will likely depend on personal preferences, available
funding and technology, and compatibility with other systems.

Question 46

What trend is likely in the emerging communications medium?

Answer 46

What seemed like science fiction just a few years ago is becoming a reality. It seems likely for this trend to continue.

Question 47

Why is it important to embrace changing mediums for communication?

Answer 47

New technologies bring new capabilities.

Question 48

What is the downside to adopting new technologies for communication?

Answer 48

The tools we have in place now have passed the test of time.

Question 49

Explain the concept of “re-purposing” technologies?

Answer 49

Taking old or new technologies or communications methods and finding a new way to use it.

Question 50

Why do we use video in training?

Answer 50

Video has the unique ability to engage both visual and auditory learners.

Question 51

What role does video play in documentation for an accident or criminal investigation?

Answer 51

In the event of an accident or an investigation, video documentation can make the difference in providing
the investigators the critical piece of information they need to solve the issue on which they are working.