Are Army Public Affairs Officers Trained and Educated to Meet the Challenges of the Contemporary Information Environment?

From the Crimean War through the ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, the military and the media have had a dynamic relationship that has changed throughout history. Many of the changes in this relationship have been based on technology, while other parts of the relationship have changed based on cultures within the military, the public, and the media establishment. In order to answer the primary research question, this thesis begins with a brief historical review of military and media relationships from 1854 Crimean War to present day operations Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom in order to capture lessons learned from history. Contemporary concerns, such as strategic communications, proposed doctrinal relationships between Information Operations and Public Affairs, and Army officer Pentathlete development challenges, are also addressed, as Army Public Affairs Officers have requirements to support each of these areas. Research will show whether or not the current Army Public Affairs Officer training and development model listed in DA Pam 600-3 December 1995 prepares FA 46 officers for the ongoing challenges in the contemporary information environment CIE.