What is a UPAR?
108 PA DET
South Carolina National Guard
A UPAR IS…
 Someone
appointed by the commander to
handle Public Affairs duties within the unit
Someone familiar with the unit and very
dependable
Someone with above average
communication skills
Someone organized who can manage
time extremely well
Things you need to
accomplish your UPAR
mission:
 Time – Commanders need to allow you time to learn and handle UPAR duties
in order for you to be an effective UPAR.
 Materials – If you want to publish a unit newsletter or post a unit web site,
you will need some sort of computer, software, copying machine and a camera to
accomplish that mission.
 Support – Your commander must support the UPAR mission for it to be
effective for your unit. You should be “plugged in” on all unit activities and “in the
loop” with on-going and potential missions. You need to know about any unit
events that would reflect well with the public so you can “get the word out” about
them.
UPAR Duties
 Meet with unit commander and establish a unit Public Affairs plan.
 Establish liaison with local news media - newspapers, television, cable
television and radio.
 Make news releases to local media on unit personnel and activities.
 Work with your recruiters to publicize local Guard enlistments.
 Tell the South Carolina National Guard story.
 Invite news reporters to visit your armory or local training sites.
 Recommend items of interest/need to the commander for presentation to
troops during weekend training.
UPAR Duties
 Keep an inventory of command information items available from the
Departments of the Army and Air Force, and from your State Headquarters.
 Maintain a bulletin board with command information items.
 Assist in planning a unit open house or family day.
 Publicize unit participation in community projects or activities.
 With permission and proper presentation, serve as a spokesperson for your
unit commander.
 Serve as the Public Affairs point of contact for your unit.
 Keep your full-time state Public Affairs officer advised on Public Affairs
matters in your unit.
UPAR Duties
 Determine your resources and ask for assistance
from your chain of command.
 Provide reference material for speeches or
presentations.
 Keep your commander advised of your activities.
 Monitor the Soldiers in your unit to ensure
information they may publish on their own through
blogs, e-mails, or websites does not violate OPSEC.
Potential UPAR
Missions
o Annual Training – particularly if it is in an unusual location
with a local impact.
o Changes of command.
o Officer and NCO academy graduations.
o Award ceremonies – both individual and unit.
o Participation in events, competitions, etc.
o Involvement in Youth programs.
Potential UPAR
Missions
o New recruits to unit.
o New construction or improvements to unit facilities.
o Any community involvement activities.
o Any story that might reflect well on your unit and the South
Carolina National Guard.
Some of the things
you will learn….
 Basic News Writing – Who did what, when, where, why and how? 5 W’s
and H)
 Basic photography – How to take a good photo, how to capture the
information of a picture and how to get it published
 Interview techniques – What to say, what not to say, staying “in your lane,”
being “on the record”, on-camera interviews
 Freedom of Information – What is publishable, what is not, unit web sites,
blogs
 Telling your unit’s story – getting the story out, developing relationships
with your local newspaper, radio
 Media interaction – Media “on the battlefield”, embedding media
Public Affairs
Reference Materials
FM 3-61.1 – Public Affairs Tactics, Techniques and Procedures
AR 360-1 – The Army Public Affairs Program
Army Public Affairs Handbook – Version 1.0
AR 25-55, The Department of the Army Freedom of Information Act
Program
AR 340-21, The Army Privacy Program
 AP Styleguide
Questions?
POC is SFC Joe Cashion
108 PAD NCOIC
Joe.cashion@us.army.mil
803-299-2697