Psychological Operations American Style examines the historical use of PSYOP by the Unites States in the twentieth century. Over six years into its War on Terrorism, and over thirty years removed from the Vietnam War, the United States continues to cling to its traditional style of PSYOP. It has remained a tangential weapon in the otherwise conventional arsenal employed by Unites States officials in the War on Terrorism. To the extent that Americans have utilized PSYOP, they have remained wedded to the notion of its use as a tactical offensive weapon meant to instill terror in their enemies. While often successful in the short term for securing defection and surrender, this type of PSYOP does little to win hearts and minds over the long haul. As experience in Vietnam demonstrates, using PSYOP only as a tactical weapon possesses the potential to undermine the nation's position by eroding its credibility. It offers civilian officials and military commanders the means to blur the distinction between information and persuasion in order to achieve immediate and demonstrable results. The use of such tactics by the Joint U.S. Public Affairs Office in Vietnam destroyed trust in the information given even at official press conferences. Psychological Operations American Style is ideal for military and diplomatic historians and scholars of the Vietnam War.

The US military has an obligation to communicate with the American public, and it is in the national interest to communicate with the international public. Through the responsive release of accurate information and imagery to domestic and international audiences, public affairs (PA) puts operational actions in context, facilitates the development of informed perceptions about military operations, helps undermine adversarial propaganda efforts, and contributes to the achievement of national, strategic, and operational objectives. Information relating to the military and its operations is available to the public from the Department of Defense (DOD) as well as national unofficial sources (e.g., information disseminated by the members, distributed by the public, the media, or by groups hostile to US interests). Regardless of the source, intention or method of distribution, information in the public domain either contributes to or undermines the achievement of operational objectives. Official information can help create, strengthen, or preserve conditions favorable for the advancement of national interests and policies and mitigate any adverse effects from unofficial, misinformed, or hostile sources.

Each and every organization needs to develop a good strategy for public affairs. Public affairs have received such kind of importance in today's world because no organization can survive in isolation. Every institution requires other institutions as well as the public that act as the customer, the decision-maker as well as the employees that can make or break the image of an organization. With the advent of technology, this task has become easier for managers. The information could be disseminated at a very low cost with the use of mass media and socializing websites. Creating a good image for an institution has become relatively much easier, but this comes with the negative fact that the dissolution of the image has also become an easy task. Public affairs have been increasingly given importance in the corporate world as increased competition has resulted in excess marketing and advertising campaigns that are used to create a Goodwill for the company. There are various tools under public affairs that are used by various organizations in order to fulfill their objectives and goals in the long run.

1. PURPOSE. This Manual establishes policies and standards for the administration of the Coast Guard External Affairs Program for both Coast Guard Headquarters and the field. 2. ACTION. All Coast Guard commanders, commanding officers, officers-in-charge, deputy/assistant commandants, and chiefs of headquarters staff elements shall comply with the provisions of this Manual. Internet release is authorized. 3. DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. The Coast Guard Public Affairs Manual, COMDTINST M5728.2 (series), Coast Guard Partnership with First Book, COMDTINST 5350.5 (series), Retired Flag Officer Biographical Material/Requirements, COMDTINST 5700.3 (series), and The Coast Guard Engagement Framework, COMDTINST 5730.2 (series) are canceled. All Commandant directives referencing the Public Affairs Manual and The Coast Guard Engagement Framework are now directed to this Manual and Reference (a).

United States Army in Vietnam. CMH Pub. 91-13. Draws upon previously unavailable Army and Defense Department records to interpret the part the press played during the Vietnam War. Discusses the roles of the following in the creation of information policy: Military Assistance Command's Office of Information in Saigon; White House; State Department; Defense Department; and the United States Embassy in Saigon.