By: Douglas Moran
Situation: Television Coverage, Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, 2005
Many of the pictures showed military units acting as if they were scouting hostile territory, even when moving through neighborhoods far from those where there had been gunfire. A group of four soldier in full body armor with their automatic rifles moving in a loose diamond formation (covering front, back and both sides) does not say "We're here to help."
Suggestions: Be aware of these tendencies and try to match National Guard to appropriate tasks. Assign local liaisons to significant groups.