Air Force PIO

The Air Force PIO from MacDill Air Force Base spoke to our Public Affairs Reporting class. it was interesting and a great learning experience, even with little knowledge of the military.

Rebecca began by describing her education and training and role with the United States Air Force.

She ensured the class that student journalists are treated the same as professional journalists and given the same privileges. She recommended similar to things as the Hillsborough County PIO: ask very specific questions, and build a good relationship with the PIO early to get the most and best information.

She advised that the journalist cover general day-to-day activites as well as special event. This will make the relationship more beneficial to the reporter, and also prevent the Air Force PIO from feeling used, so to speak.

She did state a few downfalls of working the MacDill beat. The first is that the position is revolving door, every few years there is a new PIO. Although the people in the position change often, if a journalist has a bad relationship with a previous PIO, it may be beneficial to them that there is a new PIO. It is also a very reciprocal relationship. If you publish something false or inaccurate, she will hesitate to give as much information next time.

Her advice gave good insight into working with military PIOs, considering very few have interacted with the military as students.