The idea behind PAO Watch is to provide a source of information, intelligence and news about the military public affairs organizations that reporters and editors covering the military deal with on a daily basis.

It also can be a sounding board for advice and questions about how to deal with situations involving PAOs and other military and civilian officials of the Department of Defense.

Some examples of postings for PAO Watch would be new PAO assignments to the Pentagon, commands or bases, PAO guidance memos, new public affairs directives, FOIA guideline changes and changes in tactics and strategies by PAOs. While personal attacks should be avoided, the forum should offer intel on how different commands and bases deal with journalists. A rating system of public affairs offices, not officers, might be worth considering in the future.

PAO Watch will need a moderator interested in overseeing the day-to-day operation of the forum. This person would be in charge of receiving e-mailed reports from MRE members and others for inclusion in the PAO Watch, along with posting those reports, information, directives and other PAO-related documents onto the website. It's a voluntary job without pay but garners the moderator the respect and appreciation of the organization.

To apply, please e-mail the MRE webmaster.