Retired Doctors and Nurses First – PSYOP, PA and IO Next?

We know we are losing the information war. Our peer adversaries, China and Russia are cleaning our information clock.  They waging economic war through global investments and have seized Covad-19 as a major theme for disinformation. (see: https://nyti.ms/33Yy9Xr, which is also a photo source.)

The pandemic has fostered a critical shortage of medical personnel, the Army put out a call for retired medical professions to return to active duty to help quell the spread of the virus. Over 9,000 former soldiers (see: https://abcn.ws/3dF17A5, another photo source) have answered the call.

What about the information war?

Perhaps the time has come for the Retired Information Corps (RIC). The RIC would be composed of retired PSYOP, Public Affairs, Information Operations (IO) and perhaps even Civil Affairs personnel. For administrative purposes the RIC could fall under USACAPOC while it would report to USSOCOM.

As a part of USSOCOM the RIC could reinforce influence operations conducted outside the United States. It is not inconceivable that a significant portion of these project-oriented missions could be conducted by personnel working from their home computers.

Projects such as propaganda analysis, content creation and counter disinformation would be assigned to individuals and teams from the retired force.

Alternatively, retired military influence professionals could be assigned to a Civilian Influence Corps (CIC). As civilians they would be able to support influence operations internationally and domestically as a part of the appropriate federal, state or local governments. CIC personnel could supplement Public Affairs in Emergency Operations Centers. They could also augment efforts to counter foreign disinformation campaigns in Social Media and on domestic soil through traditional media.

Congress has already recognized the need for civilian support to critical missions when it called for a creating a reserve force of civilian cybersecurity experts. (See: https://bit.ly/3awud2D, which is another photo source)

Of course, this is a radical idea, but this are radical times that call for radical measures.

What do you think?

PSYOP and Covid

Unless you’re in a cave, in which case, you wouldn’t be reading this anyway, your life has been tremendously impacted by the Covid-19 virus. 
 
Here in California, Governor Newsome has placed our National Guard on alert on March 17, 2020. As the governor noted in his press release (see: https://bit.ly/33IaACt)
 “As Californians make sacrifices over the coming weeks and stay home, we are immensely grateful for medical providers, first-responders and National Guard personnel who are assisting those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19,” said Governor Newsom. Today’s (March 17, 2020) announcement, made in the Governor’s capacity as the Commander-in-Chief of the California National Guard, is consistent with duties routinely performed by the California National Guard during natural disasters and other emergencies within the state.”

As of 1800 Pacific Time on 19 March 2020, the US Army Reserve website is only offering general messages which you can see at: https://bit.ly/33IaACt and which is a photo source.
 
PSYOP soldiers represent a trained and ready communications resource. Under the appropriate circumstances USAR personnel such as PSYOP soldiers may be called up in “Defense Support of Civil Authorities”. This force can be immediately accessible for assistance to local government leaders (see: https://bit.ly/3ddZyJp)
PSYOP was called upon to provide support in Florida during Hurricane Andrew. (see: an excellent article on the psywarrior.com website at: https://bit.ly/2vzV9PU)

Today’s situation WRT Covid is clearly unprecedented. The Johns Hopkins dynamic website is showing almost 250,000 confirmed cases as of 3/19/2020 at 17:43 Eastern time (see: https://bit.ly/2U68CZ2). 

Many communities, such as mine are under Shelter in Place orders which are legal orders requiring citizens to remain in their homes except for ‘essential services’.
President Trump has ordered the deployment of the two Navy hospital ships Mercy and Comfort.
Where does the reserve PSYOP force fit in?

Frankly, it’s hard to say. In my Red Cross experience, military personnel often provide logistics and security support. Here in California, the Air National Guard provides extensive logistical support while the Army National Guard 49^th MP Bde has provided security support during wildfire incidents. Communicating to the citizenry has not been an issue.
 
Is there a need for PSYOP at this time? At this time, this doesn’t seem to be the case. PSYOPers are influencers and communicators. There is no shortage of information. Traditional and social media are deluged with information. Individuals are also getting phone calls, Zoom/Skype/WebEx sessions and other forms of engagement to provide guidance on how to prevent contracting the disease and your responsibilities under a Shelter in Place Order.

For the moment, there doesn’t seem to be a pressing need, at least here in California. Given the geographic disparity of PSYOP units across the country, this may not be the case nationwide.

In short – stay safe and stay alert!

Reader comments invited.
Other Photo Sources:
49^th MP Bde: https://www.nationalguard.mil/News/Article/1357064/cal-guards-49th-military-police-brigade-brings-1900-plus-into-california-inferno/
129^th Air Rescue Wing: https://www.129rqw.ang.af.mil/
Governor Newsome’s photo: https://www.businessinsider.com/california-governor-coronavirus-national-guard-2020-3