To  perform  these  duties  well,  you  need  to  master verbal, oral and visual communication techniques. You must  be  a  constant  reader  who  is  always  abreast  of current events in and out of the Navy. You must know enough  about  the  Navy  to  interpret  and  translate  its activities  and  actions  intelligently  to  the  civilian  public. In   the   performance   of   their   duties,   journalists   are expected  to  produce  smooth  copies  of  their  own material. Therefore, you must be a qualified typist who meets  the  established  standards  for  speed  and  accuracy. You also must be computer literate. Finally, a journalist must have the ability to learn, and your main learning objective must be learning to write well. You must be better than average in your use of the English language. You must learn to write quickly, plainly and accurately. Your aim is to turn out news copy that  can  be  used  by  a  newspaper  or  radio/television station with a minimal need for editing or rewriting. The major areas in which you will be expected to develop  knowledge  and  skills  include  newswriting, editing and the layout and makeup of Navy publications. Other  areas  are  the  principles  of  printing,  radio  and television, photography and administration. As you progress in experience, maturity and service seniority, you likely will become the trusted executive of the PAO. As such, you will find yourself performing many of the functions of a PAO. This will be particularly true if your boss is a collateral-duty PAO. Collateral duty means  that  the  officer  has  other  assignments  that  are considered  primary  duties.  In  such  cases  his  primary responsibilities  often  allow  only  minimum  time  for public affairs work. Therefore, you also must learn the theory and practice of public affairs policy. A  COMMON  MISPERCEPTION There is a tendency for Navy journalists to believe they are part of America’s free press and thus part of the investigative journalist corps. This notion could not be further from the truth. The   moniker   “Navy   journalist”   is   misleading because the JO is a  public  information  specialist  — not a free press journalist. Navy journalists are assigned to   command   information,   public   information   and community  relations  duties.  When  assigned  to  public information  staffs,  Navy  journalists  write  releases  to  tell the   Navy   story   and   to   respond   to   queries   by   the investigative  free  press.  When  assigned  to  command information   staffs,   Navy   journalists   may   write   for civilian   enterprise   (CE)   or   funded   command newpapers   —   what   the   industry   terms   “in-house” publications. Just as a writer for commercial industry would not write investigative articles concerning his company for the  in-house  publication,  Navy  journalists  would  not write  investigatively  concerning  their  own  individual commands  or  the  Navy.  Navy  journalists  may  tackle controversial social issues in print or on videotape, but they must avoid works that attack or injure, or that give the impression of attacking or injuring their commands or the Navy. NEWS IN THE NAVY COMMUNITY New Navy journalists are often confused about their role in the Navy community. Most are familiar with the print and electronic media back home. They are used to the civilian reporter investigating, or reporting on the investigation  of  fraud,  waste  or  abuse  in  the  local, county  or  state  government. In arriving at their first duty assignment, they find a community that seems to be somewhat similar to that of their hometown. The CO seems to be the mayor, and the chief master-at-arms represents the chief of police. The CO’s staff fills the rest of the government positions. There  are  schools,  stores,  businesses  and  recreational services. However, Navy journalists must learn that the CO is  not  so  much  a  mayor  as  he  is  the  president  of  a company. Likewise, the Navy community is really much like a company town. Your job within this community is   to   enhance   morale,   to   increase   readiness   and productivity, to be the voice of the CO to his community, and to inform, educate and entertain the Navy’s internal audience. PERSONAL TRAITS To   accomplish   the   assignments   previously mentioned,   the   Navy   journalist   must   have   certain personal   characteristics.   Some   are   general characteristics that contribute to success in any rating, but  others  are  an  integral  part  of  the  public  affairs profession.  The  characteristics  of  appearance,  voice, military bearing, courtesy and personality will become more evident as you read this TRAMAN and complete the  accompanying  nonresident  training  course  (NRTC). APPEARANCE Good personal appearance is especially important to  the  Navy  journalist.  Most  of  your  work  will  be 1-2