Platforms/Fixed  Positions Public  works  should  build  solid  platforms  about  8 feet by 8 feet and about as high as the floor of the reviewing stand. Place the platforms at 45-degree angles from the center of the stand, far enough back so they are not too obtrusive and where they will not interfere with troop movements. At an even bigger event, the platforms might be made of piping or lumber and be two or three stories  high  with  at  least  two  camera  levels. Additionally,  find  out  from  the  stations  just  what  power they need to operate their equipment and see that public works  gets  the  requirements. The  radio  reporters  also  will  want  fixed  positions, preferably a table for each station with two or three chairs,  enough  for  an  announcer,  an  engineer  and perhaps   a   director,   assistant   engineer   or   second announcer. These should be far enough apart so one station  will  not  pick  up  another  announcer’s  voice. Again, check with the station to make sure of power requirements.  Try  to  have  the  television  and  radio reporters or photographers come early enough to test microphone placements in advance of the event. Mobile Media Newspaper and television photographers will want freedom to move around. You also will have a Navy still photographer  on  the  field.  You  do  not  want  to  impede their movements unnecessarily; also, be aware that too many  photographers  can  mar  what  is  planned  as  a dignified  military  ceremony. Pools Depending on the nature of the ceremony, the space available  and  the  number  of  media  involved,  you  may want   to   set   up   specific   ground   rules   for   mobile photographers. These rules may include establishing a pool arrangement where each organization works from a fixed position and all products are available to all participants. Pods are not particularly popular with photographers,  who  are  in  a  competitive  business  and do  not  want  to  end  up  with  the  same  pictures  the competition has. However, pools are better than no coverage at all, and they are almost always acceptable in a pinch. The ground rules for all phases of special event coverage  should  be  drawn  up  well  in  advance. Photographers  who  come  to  cover  a  major  event expecting complete freedom and ideal facilities will not be anxious to come to your next show if you impose restrictions  and  unwanted  pool  arrangements  on  them without  warning.  They  will  be  especially  upset  if  they feel  the  restrictions  were  unecessary. Reporters, of course, pose less of a problem because they want to see the entire event. They will want advance copies of speeches, and if none are available in advance, they will want copies immediately afterward They may want  to  interview  important  personalities  (such  as VIPs). Also, count on reporters requesting access to telephones  immediately  after  the  event. Staff  Assignments Detail  the  J03  to  work  with  the  television photographers, whose requirements are greatest, and let one JOSN stand by to help the radio crews. The other JOSN will have to miss the show. Someone has to stand by  the  office  telephone.  The  PH  is  out  there  with photographic  equipment  and  you  and  the  PAO  are available to solve any problems that come up. Miscellaneous  Items Media  should  be  provided  with  car  passes  or parking stickers in advance, and you should make sure the  gate  and  traffic  control  personnel  have  been sufficiently briefed so they will recognize and honor those  items. Results Because this event was planned to permit maximum and efficient coverage, everything ran smoothly. The radio reporters got their tapes. The television reporters got  their  videotape.  The  newspaper  reporters  talked  to SECDEF, then phoned their stories from the public affairs office. The PAO furnished a few cups of coffee and provided some last minute background material. The evening paper and both morning papers carried pictures and stories. Each wire service moved a couple of hundred words. The radio stations ran tapes on their evening  news  programs.  Both  television  stations  aired good-sized  stories  and  one  fed  it  into  a  network newscast.  The  skipper  told  the  project  officer  he  did  a fine job of coordinating and the word was passed down the line. IMPORTANCE OF DETAILS Whatever  the  event,  there  is  no  substitute  for attention to every detail, no matter how insignificant some details may seem. A visitor to an exhibit or open house,  the  guests  at  a  commissioning  ceremony  or guests on an orientation cruise should never catch the 5-23