WEBVTT 00:00:05.213 --> 00:00:08.466 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:100% I'm Lieutenant Commander Christine Hurov from Greenwood, Nova Scotia. 00:00:08.466 --> 00:00:12.053 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:120% I'm a Public Affairs Officer at the Military Public Affairs Team here in Ottawa. 00:00:17.350 --> 00:00:20.562 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:90% The work of a Public Affairs Officer is extremely varied, 00:00:20.562 --> 00:00:23.440 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:120% and I think that's one of the reasons why I like it so much. 00:00:23.440 --> 00:00:28.153 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:113% Our core job is to tell the Canadian Armed Forces story to Canadians. 00:00:28.153 --> 00:00:31.114 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:98% But there's so many different ways that we do that. 00:00:31.114 --> 00:00:33.867 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:85% Sometimes I'm working with Image Techs creating products 00:00:33.867 --> 00:00:37.537 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:103% that are going to go out on social media, or go out to families; 00:00:37.537 --> 00:00:41.624 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:90% sometimes it's working in an office; I've been deployed; 00:00:41.624 --> 00:00:44.753 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:110% you have special events working for a commander, working as part of a team - 00:00:44.753 --> 00:00:49.007 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:118% there's just so many different ways that you do Public Affairs in this institution, 00:00:49.007 --> 00:00:52.010 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:100% and it definitely has kept me interested and kept me motivated. 00:00:52.927 --> 00:00:56.097 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:88% More than ever, we live in a media-dominated world. 00:00:56.097 --> 00:01:01.144 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:125% In addition to mainstream media, the explosion of social media tools, technologies, 00:01:01.144 --> 00:01:05.106 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:113% their potential and their reach makes telling the Canadian Armed Forces story 00:01:05.106 --> 00:01:08.526 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:93% that much more challenging in a complex information environment. 00:01:08.985 --> 00:01:11.488 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:93% Information is everywhere now, right? 00:01:11.488 --> 00:01:14.949 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:103% We're constantly connected, we're constantly seeking new information. 00:01:14.949 --> 00:01:17.494 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:110% So Public Affairs has to keep up with that - 00:01:17.494 --> 00:01:20.580 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:73% we've moved to live-streaming and video capabilities, 00:01:20.580 --> 00:01:25.919 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:105% we've moved onto social media platforms, and we're really looking for the best ways 00:01:25.919 --> 00:01:28.213 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:103% to tell those stories, because there are so many amazing stories 00:01:28.213 --> 00:01:31.466 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:93% of Canadian Armed Forces members that we want to share with Canadians. 00:01:31.841 --> 00:01:35.637 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:95% Ultimately, a Public Affairs Officer's most important responsibility 00:01:35.637 --> 00:01:40.350 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:113% is to protect the Armed Forces' most valuable equity: the trust of Canadians. 00:01:40.767 --> 00:01:44.854 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:105% Credibility and truth are the keystones of what we do as a Public Affairs Officer, 00:01:44.854 --> 00:01:50.151 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:118% whether that's interacting with our commanders, preparing them to brief media 00:01:50.151 --> 00:01:55.448 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:125% or speak to the public, or if we're speaking directly to the public or through media ourselves. 00:01:55.448 --> 00:02:00.036 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:118% Everything we do has to meet the highest standards of credibility and truth, 00:02:00.036 --> 00:02:01.955 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:63% and that is our currency. 00:02:06.876 --> 00:02:11.714 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:118% We get this front-row seat to so many special events and deployments that, 00:02:11.714 --> 00:02:14.759 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:123% as a Public Affairs Officer, that's just amazing. 00:02:14.759 --> 00:02:18.680 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:73% For deployment specifically, you really get to bring value 00:02:18.680 --> 00:02:20.390 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:103% to your commander through Public Affairs. 00:02:20.390 --> 00:02:24.811 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:100% You have a direct line, you're integrated into the command team, 00:02:24.811 --> 00:02:29.649 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:93% into the planning and the operations, and it's really a great opportunity 00:02:29.649 --> 00:02:33.486 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:98% to really work on that Public Affairs - that traditional communications - 00:02:33.486 --> 00:02:38.658 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:90% alongside the evolving social media, the evolving information sphere, 00:02:38.658 --> 00:02:42.954 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:80% and really bringing that value to your commander is phenomenal. 00:02:51.337 --> 00:02:54.215 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:110% On completion of their military and occupational training, 00:02:54.215 --> 00:02:58.595 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:108% Public Affairs Officers are posted to Army, Navy or Air Force bases 00:02:58.595 --> 00:03:00.471 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:90% or to a headquarters here in Canada. 00:03:00.930 --> 00:03:03.766 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:120% Your first posting as a Public Affairs Officer - 00:03:03.766 --> 00:03:06.185 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:103% we like to say it's when you get to break in your badge. 00:03:06.185 --> 00:03:11.524 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:115% Some Public Affairs Officers will get to go be a one of Public Affairs Officer on a base 00:03:11.524 --> 00:03:17.238 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:110% or at a small formation, where it really is you and your command team 00:03:17.238 --> 00:03:19.908 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:110% and you are running the Public Affairs show. 00:03:19.908 --> 00:03:24.037 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:123% It's absolutely the best feeling in the world when a plan that you've started comes to fruition 00:03:24.037 --> 00:03:25.872 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:78% and is completed and went well. 00:03:25.872 --> 00:03:31.252 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:105% So you really get to hold all of the reins and learn a lot during that time. 00:03:31.252 --> 00:03:34.714 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:120% You may also be posted to a Public Affairs shop, 00:03:34.714 --> 00:03:38.384 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:80% where you'll be one of two or three junior officers working 00:03:38.384 --> 00:03:42.305 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:88% for a senior Public Affairs Officer at a higher-level command. 00:03:42.305 --> 00:03:45.558 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:85% Again, this is a great opportunity where you get to learn so much; 00:03:45.558 --> 00:03:51.105 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:108% you get mentorship from the other officers, and you work at a higher command level. 00:03:51.731 --> 00:03:55.276 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:113% If you like being autonomous and at the centre of the action all the time, 00:03:55.276 --> 00:03:58.947 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:118% then being a Public Affairs Officer might be just the challenge you're looking for. 00:04:08.331 --> 00:04:11.459 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:98% I just look back on these experiences and it's amazing - 00:04:11.459 --> 00:04:16.798 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:125% the opportunities I've been given, the things I've been able to do, the work I've been able to do. 00:04:16.798 --> 00:04:20.969 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:98% It's been hard work, no doubt, but I love the work that I do 00:04:20.969 --> 00:04:23.262 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:115% and I think it's so important and so critical. 00:04:23.262 --> 00:04:27.225 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:103% And that information will just continue to become an important part 00:04:27.225 --> 00:04:29.602 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:73% of how we do our work in the Canadian Armed Forces.