A member of the Plans and Exercise Division prior to becoming XO.

Advertising, public affairs and media relations advisor to the commander responsible for establishing and maintaining professional relationships with news media, civic and business leaders and other Centers of Influence. Answers media queries from local sources that cannot be handled at the company level and coordinates with the Chief, Public Affairs Office, HQ 6th Brigade those that fall outside the scope of the battalion. Plans, coordinates and directs the execution of advertising, promotional and public affairs activities for U.S. Army Active and Reserve recruiting within the battalion’s area of responsibility. Ensures all U.S. Army Recruiting Command policies and guidelines are adhered to while making advertising buys in print or electronic media. Manages the annual advertising budget to support unit recruiting operations using the most effective and cost efficient media vehicles available. Oversees battalion participation at local community, COI, Future Soldier, sporting and other events to promote Army opportunities and provide recruiters with opportunities for face-to-face interaction with the target market. Conducts return on investment and cost-to-benefit analysis in conjunction with after-action review management to determine which events and programs are most cost efficient and beneficial in meeting battalion goals. Acts as a core member to the battalion Fusion Cell charged with organizing and synthesizing A&PA, Marketing, and Educational priorities to determine markets of opportunity. Inspects companies to ensure compliance with USAREC regulations. Supervises three employees, aligning performance expectations with organization goals.

Responsible for coordinating and facilitating all aspects of Advertising and Public Affairs functions for seven recruiting companies. Coordinates Army participation at local community, Center of Influence, Future Soldier, and sporting events to promote Army opportunities and provide Recruiting NCOs with face-to-face interaction with the target market. Collects after-action reports and assesses the success of promotional programs. Assists in the development of fund expenditure strategies and plans for annual, quarterly and special project funding. Assists in the supervision and accountability of advertising funds and manages the Local Media Payment System to ensure timely and proper obligation of appropriated funds. Writes news releases and feature articles for release to local news media and the Recruiter Journal. Photographs subjects to support news releases and articles. Obligates funds for advertising, marketing, TAIR and COI events.

The senior Non-Commissioned Officer responsible for the welfare, training, Soldier readiness and public affairs support to higher headquarters as attached. Selected to stand up the new unit, train the personnel assigned and deploy the unit in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Safely led the detachment on a year-long combat rotation in Tikrit, Iraq bringing home all his Soldiers without injury and the unit’s equipment valued at more than $3 million. While deployed, oversaw the combat print and broadcast journalism coverage of more than 23,000 personnel serving in the Multi-National Division North area of operations. Oversaw and implemented a structured media engagement plan placing the leadership and Soldier of the division in front of the American public using satellite communications systems. Planned and implemented the unit budget. Served as the unit’s System Administrator.

Served as a Materiel Developer for Headquarters, Department of the Army Public Affairs Proponent activity. Researched new digital imaging technologies and modernized Public Affairs specific equipment authorizations across active, National Guard and Reserve components. Advised commands on Public Affairs Doctrine and authorizations and Public Affairs combat units on equipment acquisitions. Served as the subject matter expert for digital photo and video equipment as well as emerging satellite-enabled video conferencing equipment and technologies. Was liaison to the Department of Defense visual information equipment commodity manager. Served as the organizations Information Management Officer and Systems Administrator.

Non-Commissioned officer in charge on an 8 Soldier Public Affairs Detachment, responsible for all tasks associated with the unit readiness and ability to deploy anywhere in the world within 72 hours, to include unit movement, load plans, and individual Soldier readiness. More than half the time assigned to the unit was the acting commander. Deployed the detachment for a six-month rotation overseeing public affairs support to the ready reserve Task Force in Kuwait. Served as the primary trainer for pre-deployment mission rehearsal exercises at the Joint Readiness Training Center. Acted as a public affairs representative both on and off post. Finished the assignment at Fort Polk as the detachment commander, acting command information chief and acting media relations officer simultaneously. Served as the organizations Information Management Officer.