Abstract
Introduction
Method
Results
Discussion
Appendices
References
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Abstract
This project extends previous research
on public affairs crisis communication (Hunter,
Berry, Goodrich-Hinton, & Lincicome,
2000), by combining crisis communication theory and
actual military public affairs practices. The 12 strategies of the Hunter,
et al. (2000)
typology were vetted to a cross
section of Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and
Marine public affairs professionals
to determine which have the most utility in military crisis communication
situations. An online survey including quantitative, qualitative and Likert
scale questions
was given to a sample of military public affairs practitioners to gather
data about which
strategies they have used, the perceived effectiveness of the strategy,
tactics employed
in support of the strategy and which strategies have application for future
use in crisis communication
situations. Forty-nine respondents, officer, enlisted and civilian
from all components
and branches of the service rated release coordination, responsiveness, openness,
and message strategies as the most efficacious while the legal implications: cultural
strategy was of little value for them. More research is needed to
determine which strategies
fit best with specific crises and to template specific tactics to develop
a proactive crisis
communication tool kit for military public affairs.
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