your story. Other editors acknowledge receipt of the story, tell you when it will run and send you courtesy copies  after  publication. Some  editors  will  not  accept  unsolicited  manu- scripts and prefer to get a query letter first. Facsimile machines can deliver queries quickly and cut waiting time.  Other  publications  may  want  an  exclusive  (such as All Hands). When in doubt, send the story. MILITARY/MEDIA RELATIONS DURING  HOSTILITIES Learning Objective:  Identfy the relationship between the military and the media during hostilities. When  the  military  shifts  gears  from  peacetime operations to that of a conflict or war, the rules regarding the media also change. In peacetime, there is greater media access to the military and a more open and candid dialogue. However, as tensions increase and the military moves  toward  crisis  and  finally  hostile  action  (conflict or  war),  the  news  interest  or  value  of  covering  the military  increases  dramatically. Also,  the  military  becomes  more  “closed-mouthed” because of operational security considerations. This normally leads to a certain amount of friction in the military/media relationship during crisis and conflict. The   basic   principle   governing   the   release   of information  in  hostilities  is  this:  released  information must be consistent with operational security and not compromise  the  safety  of  United  States  or  friendly nation  (allied)  personnel.  Security  at  the  source  must apply. Figures 4-4 and 4-5 show the general ground rules and  guidelines  used  during  Operation  DESERT SHIELD/STORM  in  1991. MEDIA POOL You  were  briefly  introduced  to  media  pools  in Chapters  2  and  3.  During  hostilities,  a  news  media  pool is usually sized to the number of seats and baggage capacity  of  ground  or  air  transportation  and  host  unit billeting.  Using  the  amphibious  exercise  Imminent Thunder as an example, Navy and Marine Corps units were able to accommodate four media pools. Each pool had  six  people  and  was  deployed  as  follows: Imminent Thunder Media Pool: 1.  Television  reporter 2.  Television  photographer 3. 4. 5. 6. Television sound man Radio  reporter Print  reporter Still  photographer Pool 1– Embarked aboard USS Guam and flown ashore  by  helicopter Pool 2- Embarked aboard USS  Gunston Half  and transported  ashore  by  LCAC  (landing  craft,  air cushion) Pool  3-  Covers   the   assault   from   ashore   and remained  overnight  with  maneuver  units Pool 4- Same as pool 3 An  important  point  to  remember  about  media  pools is that they are not tour groups that must be tightly banded  together.  Television  reporters  need  video  and print reporters need interviews. It is up to you to make sure  individual  media  needs  are  met. FAMILIES During crisis and hostilities, news media seek Navy families  to  discuss  their  personal  reactions  to  the deployment of their service member. As discussed in Chapter 2 of this manual, family rights in dealing with the news media should be clearly understood and passed along to military families as soon as possible. CREDIBILITY Learning  Objective:  Detail  the  concept  of  credibility when dealing with the media. In Chapter 1, you were introduced to the concept of credibility   in   your   day-to-day   job   activities.   This encompasses  the  credibility  you  must  obtain  when working with the news media. While the media can, at times, be difficult to deal with, they can also be the fun part of Navy public affairs. Fun, that is, if your credibility rating is where it should be. How  is  credibility  with  the  media  established?  By being knowledgeable about Navy public affairs, the command to which you are attached and the willingness to go that extra mile for a reporter. The  following  are  some  tips  that  will  help  you establish  and  maintain  media  credibility: .  Do not be obscure. Reporters can spot a con artist at 50 paces, so do not assume a snow job will be 4-17