Army Public Affairs

The Army Public Affairs Program

By Order of the Secretary of the Army:

JAMES C. MCCONVILLE
General, United States Army
Chief of Staff

Official:

KATHLEEN S. MILLER
Administrative Assistant
to the Secretary of the Army

History. This publication is an administrative revision. The portions affected by this administrative revision are listed in the summary of change.

Summary. This regulation provides guidelines for release of command and public information, including information released to the media, and community engagement programs intended for internal and external publics with interest in the U.S. Army. This revision also defines the staff relationship of the public affairs officer; identifies public affairs as an inherently governmental function; requires commanders to appoint a unit public affairs representative to any unit that is not supported by a designated public affairs officer; updates policies for Army musical support; and adds official and unofficial website publishing guidance.

Applicability. This regulation applies to the Regular Army, the Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States, and the U.S. Army Reserve, unless otherwise stated. It also applies to civilian employees of the Department of the Army. Overseas commanders are responsible for the conduct of public affairs activities within their commands and will be guided by the policies of the Department of the Army and the commanders of unified commands. In the event of a conflict, the policies of the unified command will govern.

Proponent and exception authority. The proponent of this regulation is the Chief of Public Affairs. The proponent has the authority to approve exceptions or waivers to this regulation that are consistent with controlling law and regulations. The proponent may delegate this approval authority, in writing, to a division chief within the proponent agency or its direct reporting unit or field operating agency, in the grade of colonel or the civilian equivalent. Activities may request a waiver to this regulation by providing justification that includes a full analysis of the expected benefits and must include formal review by the activity's senior legal officer. All waiver requests will be endorsed by the commander or senior leader of the requesting activity and forwarded through their higher headquarters to the policy proponent. Refer to AR 25-30 for specific guidance.

Army internal control process. This regulation contains internal control provisions in accordance with AR 11-2 and identifies key internal controls that must be evaluated (see app).

Supplementation. Supplementation of this regulation and establishment of agency, command, and installation forms are prohibited without prior approval from the Chief of Public Affairs (SAPA-ZA), 1500 Army Pentagon, Washington, DC 20310-1500.

Suggested improvements. Users are invited to send comments or suggested improvements on DA FormDA FormDepartment of the Army form 2028 (Recommended Changes to Publications and Blank Forms) directly to usarmy.meade.hqda-ocpa.mesg.apac-policy-doctrine@army.mil.

Distribution. This regulation is available in electronic media only and is intended for the Regular Army, the Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States, and the U.S. Army Reserve.

*This regulation supersedes AR 360-1, dated 25 May 2011. AD 2018-05 is rescinded upon publication of this revision.

Digital media is defined as text, audio, and VI content that can be transmitted over the internet or computer networks. Army PA content that is released on a website, blog, or social media platform will fall into this category. Using digital media to communicate with the public and intended audiences on behalf of the Army is a PA function.