In the wake of information operations launched by the
Islamic State in Iraq
and Levant (ISIL), I have seen a number of incidents where
Reservists have
requested to have Air Force remove news stories
identifying them by name and
rank from Air Force public websites and official social
media. Also,
Reservists have expressed reluctance to interact with
public affairs and the
external media.
A memo from the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for
Public Affairs
makes it clear that, "Our mission is to inform and
educate as we connect our
military with the American people is vitally important,
and having our men
and women in uniform tell their stories and be identified
by their name,
rank, job title and unit in articles and photos should
remain the general
rule."
The risks associated with being identified in public
affairs products is
simple to identify and easily exaggerated, but the risk
the Air Force
Reserve assumes when it fails to aggressively tell the
public that we're an
integrated, flexible and combat-ready force providing
accessible and
sustainable capabilities supporting national security --
is a threat to our
very existence. As
Director of Air Force Reserve Public Affairs, I
encourage our Reserve Airmen to actively participate in
public affairs
efforts.