(O Heading) Copy ## of ## copies

Issuing headquarters

Place of issue

Date-time group of signature

Message reference number

(Note) Include the full heading if attachment is distributed separately from the base order or higher-level attachment.

(Annex Title) ANNEX J (PUBLIC AFFAIRS) TO OPERATION PLAN/ORDER [number] [(codename)]—[issuing headquarters] [(classification of title)]

(References) References: List documents essential to understanding the attachment

List maps and charts first. Map entries include series number, country, sheet names or numbers, edition, and scale.

List other references in subparagraphs labeled as shown.

Doctrinal references for public affairs activities include FM 3-61 and JP 3-61.

Time Zone Used Throughout the Order: Write the time zone established in the base plan or order.

Task Organization: Describe the organization of forces available to the issuing headquarters and their command and support relationships. Refer to Annex A (Task Organization) if long or complicated.

(U Mil para) Situation. Include information affecting public affairs that paragraph 1 of the OPLAN or OPORD does not cover or that needs expansion.

Area of Interest. Describe the area of interest as it relates to public affairs. Refer to Annex B (Intelligence) as required.

Area of Operations. Refer to Appendix 2 (Operation Overlay) to Annex C (Operations).

Terrain. Describe the aspects of terrain that impact public affairs activities. Refer to Annex B (Intelligence) as required.

Weather. Describe the aspects of weather that impact public affairs. Refer to Annex B (Intelligence) as required.

Enemy Forces. Identify enemy forces’ general communications and media capabilities. Describe the enemy’s disposition, location, strength, and probable public affairs courses of actions, including disinformation, rumors, and propaganda. Refer to Appendix B (Intelligence) as required.

Enemy Communications and Media Capabilities. Identify enemy forces’ general communications and media capabilities, including television, radio, and print mediums as well as online and social media capabilities.

Enemy Courses of Action. Describe enemy’s employment of communications and media capabilities that would impact friendly operations and public affairs operations.

Friendly Forces. Outline the higher headquarters' plan (and public affairs annex) and adjacent unit public affairs plans. Provide information on friendly coalition forces, which may impact the public affairs mission. Note public affairs resources supporting the unit (who, where, when) and higher, allied, and adjacent headquarters.

Higher Headquarters Public Affairs Mission. State the public affairs mission of the higher headquarters.

Public Affairs Mission of Adjacent Units. Identify and state the public affairs missions of adjacent units and other units whose actions have a significant impact on the issuing headquarters.

Interagency, Intergovernmental, and Nongovernmental Organizations. Identify and describe other organizations in the area of operations that may impact the conduct of operations of public affairs operations or implementation of public affairs activities.

Civil Considerations. Describe critical aspects of the civil situation that impact public affairs operations. Refer to Annex K (Civil Affairs Operations) as required.

Attachments and Detachments. Identify all augmenting public affairs units supporting this command and all attached or assigned subordinate units. Include effective dates, if applicable.

Media. Identify media in the area (who, where, and pools) including U.S., international, and host nation.

Assumptions. List any additional assumptions or information not included in the general situation that will impact the public affairs mission.

Mission. State the mission of public affairs in support of the base plan or order.

Execution.

Scheme of Public Affairs. Describe how public affairs supports the commander’s intent and concept of operations. Summarize how the commander visualizes executing the public affairs plan. Include public affairs priorities: Intent (access, information, welfare, morale, and will to win), concept (who, where, what, why, and when), specifics (tasks to a subordinate; who is to do what, where, and when, including nonpublic affairs activities), and actions with media (credential, train, and transport).

Outline of Public Affairs Objectives. Describe clearly defined public affairs objectives that the commander intends to achieve.

Outline of Public Affairs Tasks. Identify and assign supporting public affairs tasks to each objective. Assign specific tasks to elements of the command charged with public affairs tasks. Establish priorities of support for each phase of the operation.

Tasks to Subordinate Units. Identify and list public affairs tasks assigned to subordinate units not contained in the base order including maneuver and augmenting public affairs units. Also identify unit public affairs representatives’ requirements.

Coordinating Instructions. Give details on coordination, task organization, and groupings. List instructions that apply to two or more subordinate elements or units. Refer to supporting appendixes (public affairs running estimate) not referenced elsewhere (public affairs guidance, media in country, media en route with U.S. forces, media contact report, handover checklist, task organization, and public affairs synchronization requirements).

Sustainment. Identify priorities of sustainment for public affairs key tasks and specify additional instructions as required by the paragraph below. Refer to Annex F (Sustainment) as required.

Logistics. Use subparagraphs to identify priorities and specific instructions for maintenance, transportation, supply, field services, distribution, contracting, and general engineering support. Outline requirements for establishing a media operations center (if required) and embedded journalists. Refer to Annex F (Sustainment) and Annex P (Host-Nation Support) as required.

Personnel. Use subparagraphs to identify priorities and specific instructions for human resources support, financial management, legal support, and religious support. Refer to Annex F (Sustainment) as required.

Command and Signal.

Command. State the location of key public affairs leaders (to include media operations center location and public affairs contact information).

Control. State the public affairs liaison requirements not covered in the base order.

Signal. Address any public affairs specific communication requirements (such as commercial internet or Defense Visual Information Distribution Systems) and reports. Refer to Annex H (Signal) as required.

(Acknowledge) ACKNOWLEDGE: Include only if attachment is distributed separately from the base order.

(Sig Block) [Commander’s last name]

[Commander’s rank]

(Note) The commander or authorized representative signs the original copy of the attachment. If the representative signs the original, add the phrase “For the Commander.” The signed copy is the historical copy and remains in the headquarters’ files.

(Official) OFFICIAL:

(Sig Block) [Authenticator’s name]

[Authenticator’s position]

(Note) Use only if the commander does not sign the original attachment. If the commander signs the original, no further authentication is required. If the commander does not sign, the signature of the preparing staff officer requires authentication and only the last name and rank of the commander appear in the signature block.

(Attachments) ATTACHMENTS: List lower-level attachment (appendixes, tabs, and exhibits).

Appendix 1–Public Affairs Running Estimate

Appendix 2–Public Affairs Guidance

(Distribution) DISTRIBUTION: Show only if distributed separately from the base order or higher-level attachments.

(Distro List) HQ XYZ Command

HQ ABC Command