http://video.foxnews.com/v/1665881091001/the-uss-wasp-in-war-and-peace Who picked these guys to be interviewed on TV?
haha I just saw that too. Why is he so close to her? And why does he sound like he is talking through an O2 mask on emergency? "This is an amphibious, amphibious, amphibious.....ship." Sympathy because dude was nervous, but that is just too good not to poke a little fun at.
I was going to point out the Marine's funny expression on his face while hearing the SWO's interview. Then I heard the Marine speak.
Dang, they sure grow up quick! The Marine was one of my onwings. (Don't mind him tripping on a few words before the camera; he always briefed well.)
How about the OTHER most embarrassing thing to happen at Fleet Week? http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/05/31/marine-aircraft-mishap-hurts-nyc/
How did I know it was an Osprey without clicking the link... Anyway, it was purely a freak accident, but prepare for the media spin.
Lady with the mic is not just "anybody". That is Kathleen (KT) McFarland, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Public Affairs, in the Reagan Administration. Holds the DOD Distinguished Service Medal, highest civilian award DOD can bestow. One brilliant lady, among other things she is an expert on nuclear weapons. Know her well. Be careful out there.
That SWO is a terrible speaker. At least the guy with the gold wings talked with authority. My golden rule is still to never talk to reporters.
You'd think that background would influence her to take care of him, rather than let him take himself out behind the woodshed. Poor bastard - at least he can serve as a lesson for others.
Yes. Mostly agree. I'm in sales and a youngin' like that would most definitely NOT proceed very far in the interviews for a CIV job. I can think of a publicly shared resume recently...oh never mind. I seriously doubt the CO knew ahead of time what his blinky/moto JG spiel was going to actually be like "LIVE". Unless of course the wardroom got the fear of God SWO cursed lecture prior to media arrival. Something like "You WILL be Extremely motivated and if you ever hope to make your next promotion you WILL be a stand out performer today!" I say that only because it happened to the USS XXXXX once and the JO's took it way too seriously. Even the media folks looked at the crew/wardroom like we were on drugs. Thank God it never aired.
This thread is a great place to discuss the topic of "PR mode." A tool every officer should have practiced. When the media corners me, I have a long dry roundabout rambling of the importance of logistical accountability that will bore drying paint, chase away the press and most important NOT do what this guy did. I carry that speech around during events like high profile fleet weeks like a six shooter in the wild west. I thought that was in the SORM?
I have to say that the Marine handled that a lot better that the SWO... At least he knew what type of aircraft he flew...
Excellent. That was my point. Do not be ambushed, you never know ..... Second point in defense of the two, I would wager next paycheck that both were throughly briefed who KT was and her backgroud, ergo they were very nervous. Given that, they did well. KT was just having a little fun. Oh what is that, MV 22? Oh is that like a rotor craft or something. Yeah.
It's like Haiti all over again. "Hey, Ospreys...why don't you go over 'there' for a while..." Once they started filling the -53 role of moving ass and trash between PaP and GITMO, everything was good again. As an aside, maybe someone can correct me, but I never saw the Norman in Haiti. Maybe they showed up late...
Does a ship that size have a dedicated PAO? Or is it the collateral duty of a new LTJG? Not excusing the interview, but without professional prep, it is easy to look like an idiot on camera. Trust me, I know.
Another JO at this fleet week (a member of this forum no less), did a relatively outstanding job with the same media pressure.
