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Abstract The purpose of this study is to conduct a systematic analysis of extant literature on crisis communication strategies, both in the civilian and military environment, to explicate a typology of an effective crisis communication strategy for Department of Defense (DoD) public affairs professionals.  O’Connor’s (1987) social-political theory on crisis is used to examine the importance of a proactive crisis communications plan over the commonly used reactive response to crisis.  The proactive crisis communication typology identifies 12 key strategies that need to be included or omitted from an effective public affairs crisis communication plan.