Edition: Wed, April 30, 2008
Rich-text Version WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
"Nonlethal weapons are not a substitute for firearms. You donÃÕ take a Taser to a gunfight. But if they are used early enough, you can prevent the escalation to violence."
-Maj. Tom White, National Guard Bureau
Guard enlisted leaders get a lesson in nonlethal weapons TODAY'S FOCUS National Guard Public Affairs Rapid Response Team What is it?
The National Guard Public Affairs Rapid Response Team (PARRT) is a joint, self-sustainable, first-responder capability dedicated to supporting a state or territory during a natural or man-made crisis. As a force multiplier, the PARRT includes the full-spectrum of Public Affairs functions ready to provide media relations, outreach, command information, and satellite broadcasting. The team, assembled from across the nation, can be as small as one public affairs officer (PAO) with a satellite phone and a BlackBerry, or as large as 70 people, depending on the needs of the state or territory asking for support. The governor and adjutant general of the disaster-affected state decides what assets they need.
What has the National Guard done?
Approximately 3,000 participants recently completed Exercise Vigilant Guard, a three-day, National Guard-hosted exercise in Beaufort, S.C. Some fifteen Army and Air National Guard PA professionals, officers and enlistees, civilians and contractors, from several states and the National Guard Bureau (NGB), deployed to a simulated large-scale earthquake and set up a fully functional forward, interagency joint information center (JIC). With live, full-motion video, satellite television and a host of other tools, the JIC was able to monitor media reports and host press conferences directly from the scene.
What continued efforts does the National Guard have planned for the future?
The PARRT currently has a few dozen trained PAOs and is prepared to respond within 12 to 24 hours of an emergency. NGB will continue to train and equip members to deploy quickly and effectively when a state or territory needs this kind of support.
Why is important to the National Guard?
The PARRT will help each affected state or territory focus on the formidable operational demands at hand without becoming distracted by media demands. The PARRT will help make sure the media, and thus the public, get timely and accurate information to include describing where to locate life-critical supplies and correcting misinformation or speculation.
Abraham Lincoln once said, űublic sentiment is everything. With public sentiment nothing can fail; without it nothing can succeed. He who molds public sentiment goes deeper than he who enacts statutes or pronounces decisions. With the help of the PARRT, the National Guard is able to work in conjunction with the media to manage the accuracy and timeliness of our messages in support of governors, adjutants general, and PAOs throughout the states and territories.
INFORMATION YOU CAN USE 2008 Strategic Communication Guide - Read the 2008 Army Strategic Communication Guide for key messages and updates
Strategic Communication Coordination Group (SCCG) Workspace Army Public Affairs Portal Stories of Valor A CULTURE OF ENGAGEMENT The Army Community Relations Calendar National Guard members join 'Rebuilding Day' projects CALENDAR Saturday, June 14, 2008: The U.S. Army Birthday Ball NEWS ABOUT THE ARMY - Army recruits with bad pasts reviewed (BG)
- Virginia Guard sees record troop levels (WT)
- Study: Recruits on waivers get promoted faster (AT)
- URS wins U.S. Army flight training contract worth $240M (Forbes)
WAR ON TERROR NEWS - Bush: Revealing reactor was meant to pressure N. Korea (WP)
- PakistanÃÔ planned accord with militants alarms U.S. (NYT)
- Militiamen ambush drives back U.S. patrol in Sadr City (HC)
- Gates: Lull in Iraq violence over, withdrawal to go on (McC)
OF INTEREST - An officer and a linebacker for the N.F.L. (NYT)
- Army widens probe after finding bad conditions at Fort Bragg (ST)
- Repairs underway in barracks, Army says (WP)
- Guantanamo detainee rejects court procedure (WP)
WORLD VIEW - U.S. dissension plot unfolds in Iraq (TT | Story)
- Afghan president was warned of plot to kill him, intelligence chief says (IHT | Story)
- Georgia-Russia tensions ramped up (BBC | Story)
WHAT'S BEING SAID IN BLOGS - Honoring Matt Maupin (SP)
- Master Sergeant Brendan O'Connor - Someone you should know (BF)
- Syria photoshop angle: Thin gruel (WPR)
- Dear kids... (MTTAC)
- More of an update (ADP)
Stand-To!- National Guard Public Affairs Rapid Response Team - April 30, 2008 
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