Sample Senior Leader Preparation Guide for Media Engagement

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Transcript of Sample Senior Leader Preparation Guide for Media Engagement

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    Make them AWARE.Help them UNDERSTAND

    Ins ire them to ACT

    The five key components of any communication plan within the 3dESC are:

    Objective (1)

    Theme (1) Messages (3)

    Talking Points (4-5)

    Qs and As (10+)

    These components are essential when communicating with any audience to gain awareness,process understanding, and build partnerships.

    1. Objective

    Increaseawareness andunderstanding of 3rdESC mission and contributions to the

    fight in Iraq

    2. Theme:

    3dESC is a valuable asset in the mission to achieve irreversible momentum towards

    sustainable securityand progress in Iraq.

    3. Messages:

    Our mission is important

    Force protection is a #1 priority for our Soldiersas exemplified by 10,000 MRAPceremony

    Our morale is high

    4. Talking Points: (No more than 4-5 talking points per message)

    Opening Statement:

    My name is.and Im the

    The 3rdESC deployed from Ft Knox on 31 MAY 2008

    About 250 Soldiers deployed from Ft Knox.

    Out of that 250 - 51% of our Families (roughly 125) and Soldiers live off Fort Knox in

    communities surrounding the postincluding Louisville

    After some training in Kuwait - we arrived here in Balad around the 8thof June.

    We assumed our mission on 20 June and have been on the ground now for about 260

    days or 37 weeks.

    Three PAeffects from

    FM 3.0

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    Message #1 - Our mission is important

    Upon assumption of our missionour command grew from a core of 250 personnel to

    around 17,000 service members stationed all around Iraq.

    3dESC provides single headquarters command and control for operational level

    sustainment and distribution management in support of Multi-national Corps-Iraq.

    Supplies

    Transportation

    Maintenance

    Field services

    Distribution

    Contracting

    Human resources

    Financial management

    Legal support

    Religious support

    3dESC is a valuable asset in the mission to achieve irreversible momentum towards

    sustainable security and progress in Iraq.

    Since 1 June50%

    decrease in IEDs

    across Iraq

    Since 1 June25%

    decrease in IDF

    The elections on 31 January were a

    very positive sign of security with no

    major attacks reported.

    We partner with the Iraqi Army to improve their ability to sustain themselves as opposed

    to relying on US Forces

    We have teams across the country teaching Iraqi Army Soldiers how to conduct

    maintenance, order repair parts, store supplies and ammunition, transport vehicles and

    equipment.

    We are also working to improve the lives of ordinary Iraqis by helping them start small

    businesses (IBIZ) and local trucking companies.

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    Message #2 - Force protection is a #1 priority for our Soldiers as exemplified by the

    10,000thMRAP Issued ceremony

    The MRAP family of vehicles offers a proven capability to reduce combat deaths

    In the ESCwe have over 600 of these vehicles on hand and use them as our primary

    convoy protection platform.

    Personally, I have seen the beating these vehicles can take. We have not lost an ESC

    Soldier to hostile fire who was riding in or operating an MRAP and from a commanders

    perspectivemy troops love them and I sleep better knowing they have them.

    The MRAP offers the Soldier on the road the confidence and assurance that when they

    leave the gate of the FOBthey have a tremendous likelihood of coming back safe.

    Fielding began in 2007 with the first MRAP being fielded in Iraq April of 2007.

    To date10,000 MRAPs have been fielded in Iraq at 9 different sites to Army, Air Force,

    Marine, Navy and Joint units.

    No piece of equipment is useful to the Soldier unless they are trained to use it and in

    theater, over 22,000 service members have been trained on the MRAP as part of the

    fielding effort.

    In the ESC, we developed a comprehensive training package in Kuwait so units entering

    theater received standardized MRAP training.

    With skilled operators and maintainerswere at about a 91% OperationalReadiness

    Rate within the ESC for all MRAP variants.

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    Message #3Our morale is high

    Our troops are doing extremely well.

    Soldiers have access to physical fitness, internet, entertainment resources

    Soldiers have the opportunity to take 18 days of leavesome have already returned to

    Knox to take advantage.

    The community has really supported our deployed Soldiers

    o During hurricane in September neighbors and friends helped out to ensure

    spouses of those deployed were taken care of

    o During the holidays we received countless care packages and notes form folks in

    Vine Grove, Radcliff, and E-town.

    o During the recent ice stormonce again our neighbors and friends in the

    community reached out to our Families to make sure they were ok

    o Partners like the Messenger and Greg and Hollie with WQXE in E-town have

    gone to great lengths to keep our Families informed.

    o Were looking forward to returning and spending some time in the community.

    I appreciate, again, what youre doing to support our troops. You know, Im very proud

    of what our troops have done. Im extremely proud of what our Fort Knox-based 3rdESC

    has done over here.

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    MRAP Most Likely Questions:

    Q1: What was the significance of the 10,000th

    MRAP ceremony?

    A1: Wellthe number one priority we have for our Soldiers here is force protection. This

    ceremony exemplifies our commitment to this in that we now have fielded 10000 MRAPs to

    units in Iraq in just under two years. Thats no small feat. It took a commitment to protecting

    our Soldiers, teamwork, and a lot of training.

    Q2: Has the MRAP had an impact on Soldiers in Iraq?

    A2: The MRAP has definitely had an impact on Soldiers in Iraq. As I said earlierthe

    protection of our Soldiers is our number one priority. No vehicle is indestructible but this vehicle

    provides a proven capability to reduce combat deaths and casualties and provides Warfighters

    multi-mission platforms capable of mitigating Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), underbody

    mines and small arms fire threats. The MRAP family of vehicles, with their V-shaped hulls

    and raised chassis, is the best vehicle protection we have to date,

    Q3: Have MRAPs really saved lives? If so how many?

    A3: Force protection for our Soldiers is our #1 priority. We want a Soldier to roll out of the gate

    knowing they are in the best protected vehicle available. From our perspective in the ESC - we

    conduct about 100 convoys a night within which our MRAPs play a big role. That averages out

    to about 21,000 missions since we fielded our first MRAP in June of 2008. The 3rd ESC has

    not lost a Soldier who was riding in or operating an MRAP."

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    MRAP Possible Questions:

    Q4: Havent you had problems with rollovers?

    A4: The Army identified rollovers as a risk in the MRAP. Howevera dedication to operator

    training and safety equipment such as the Gunners Safety Restraint help to mitigate this risk.

    We take the training of our operators seriously. For examplewe recently created a

    standardized training package that ensured our new units entering theater were properly trained

    prior to leaving Kuwait.

    Q5: Havent you had problems with MRAPs striking electrical wires?

    A5: We have not had this problem in the ESC. The risk is out there, however due to the fact

    there are low-hanging power lines in Iraq. Although I cannot get into the specificsI would tell

    you we have emplaced some actions and equipment to help mitigate this risk and protect our

    Soldiers.

    Q6: Arent MRAPs to large for urban areas?

    A6: As a Sustainment unitwe have vehicles of all shapes and sizes. Compared to our Heavy

    Equipment Transport Vehicles - which are capable of carrying main battle tanksthe MRAP is

    small in comparison. But you bring up a good point in that we are conscious of where we travel

    and we try and do our part to share the road with the Iraqis. MRAPsdespite their sizeshare

    the road with Iraqis just like every other vehicle.

    Q7: How many MRAPs does your unit have?

    A7: Although I cant get into specific numbers we have around 600 MRAPs of all varieties in

    the ESC.

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    Mission-related Most Likely Questions:

    Q1: The President has said he will pull troops out of Iraq in 16 months. Are the Iraqi

    Security Force able to take over security responsibilities? Will this affect your

    deployment?

    A1:

    First of all our mission has not changed

    Regardless of where forces are in Iraqwe will still need to supply them, move their

    equipment, provide them human resources support

    On ISF: From our laneISF logistics forces have improved a lot since our arrival.

    Theyve stood up a transportation regiment capable of delivering supplies across the

    country.

    Theyre finding Iraqi solutions to conducting maintenance, managing supplies, storing

    ammunition. When I was here before - you didnt see these things.

    The fact that they had the lead for the provincial elections and there were no major

    attacksand voters could head to the polls in peace is a real good sign.

    Q2: With some Soldiers on their third and fourth tours - how are the troops holding up?

    A2:

    Our troops are doing extremely well.

    You wont find many, if any, troops that belong to our command that are walking around

    with their head down and complaining about being tired.

    Our troops are focused on continuing to do the right things to finish the job and finish on

    terms that are favorable to the mission and specifically to the United States of America.

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    I can speak personally that multiple tours have an impact on Soldiers and Families.

    Howeverwe are aware of that and work every day to find new and creative ways to

    take care of our Soldiers and their Families to mitigate the risk associated with multiple

    tours. (ie Warrior Resiliency training

    From a warfighting perspective, it also makes you extremely more experienced. We

    have a unique mission and a headquarters filled with senior leaders. The fact that a lot

    of them are on a second or third tour means we are very knowledgeable about what we

    are doing. This is an advantage for us in some ways.

    Q3: What do you want to say to the Family members?

    A3:

    Id like to say thank you.

    Thanks for their hard work.

    Thanks for their commitment.

    Thanks for their sacrifices.

    We all know that we could not do what we do here without our Family members.

    We are focused on what were doing every day; were allowed to do that because we

    have such tremendous family members that make unbelievable sacrifices.

    Q4: Any closing thoughts?

    A4:

    Wethe 3dESC are proud members of the Fort Knox and surrounding communities

    Our Families and Soldiers are in your community and we are looking forward to getting

    our mission accomplished and returning

    The expertise your Soldiers are demonstrating here in Iraq will return to your community

    and make it better.

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    Each 3dESC family makes not only a financial investment in their community, but an

    emotional one as well (churches, schools, clubs etc). We miss our local communityits

    eventsits people. We hope we are back in time for all those summertime and fall

    events. Sorry well miss the Derby.

    We are proud of our hometowns whether it be Brandenburg, Muldraugh, Radcliff, Vine

    Grove or E-Town. We want to hear from you and stay in touch.

    Well, thank you very much. Its great to see you. Its been a while. I appreciate, again,

    what youre doing to support our troops. You know, Im very proud of what our troops

    have done. Im extremely proud of what our Fort Knox-based 3rdESC has done over

    here.

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    Mission-related Possible Questions:

    Q5: What can you tell me about Lt Easterling and the comments he made online

    regarding the President?

    A5:

    Bottom linePresident Obama is our Commander in Chief. We take very seriously the

    comments that were made and are looking into it.

    Q6: So are the comments made by Lt Easterling pervasive amongst the troops?

    A6:

    Nonot at all.

    Once againthe election and inauguration of the President was a historic event for our

    country.

    We are proud to have him as our Commander in Chief.

    Q7: Is Lt Easterling in trouble?

    A7:

    I just want to reiterate that the President is our Commander in Chief.

    We take these comments very seriously

    Currently, we are conducting an investigation to determine all the pertinent facts.

    Q8: Is it possible to get everything out of Iraq within 16 months?

    A8:

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    Well first of allour mission has not changed.

    Tonight well be running about 100 convoys in support of all Coalition forces across Iraq

    that amounts to about 3700 truck loads of supplies.

    Regardless of where or how many Soldiers are positioned across Iraqour mission will

    continue to be supporting them with sustainment and distribution of suppliesjust like

    were doing tonight.

    One great thing about our organization is that we are filled with a lot of senior leaders

    and experts who are prepared for any contingency.

    We are flexible and prepared to meet any mission, any place, any time.

    Once againthe election and inauguration of the President was a historic event for our

    country.

    We are proud to have him as our Commander in Chief.

    Q9: When are you and your unit coming home?

    A9:

    Currently we are on a 15 month tour here.

    Right now we are scheduled to return to Fort Knox in the August / September time

    frame.

    Our mission has not changedand were still planning on completing a 15 month

    overseas tour.