Now, Let's Hit Those Hash Marks
Rumsfeld has set a tight schedule to implement the new plan
U.S. News obtained a copy of the draft strategic communications road map, dated May 18, 2006, which is expected to be signed by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld in the coming weeks. It sets a tight schedule that reflects Rumsfeld's sense of urgency on this issue. The document lays out a series of deadlines to resolve disputes among the military's communications professionals and define policy that they will all follow.
According to the document:
By April 1, the Pentagon will establish a Strategic Communication Integration Group and a full-time secretariat to coordinate across the department and the rest of the government on policies and issues that have significant communications implications. (This deadline has been met.)
By July 1, the strategic communications guidance will be ready for the secretary of defense's approval. It will lay out the responsibilities and relationships among public-affairs and information operations personnel including psychological operations forces.
By August 1, a Pentagon directive will be issued on the role of defense support to public diplomacy (which is headed by the State Department Under Secretary Karen Hughes).
By September 1, all decisions on doctrine, training, and funding will be made and put into official directives.
This story appears in the May 29, 2006 print edition of U.S. News & World Report.