Atlantic Alliance Troop Card
When media visits, we are given an opportunity to highlight and publicize the great things we do. With any media encounter, inform your chain of command and refer the media representatives to the Unit PAO/COMMSTRAT.
1stLt. Giarrizzo, 2d MARDIV COMMSTRAT Director (Acting) olivia.giarrizzo@usmc.mil
1stLt. Hart, 2d MARDIV COMMSTRAT Ops- matthew.b.hart.mil@usmc.mil
2DMARDIVONTHERECORD@usmc.mil
RELEASE AUTHORITY FOR QUERIES
•Media queries will be responded to by USFFC, MARFORCOM and participating TYCOMs and units.
•2d MARDIV retains release authority regarding media queries on Division participation in AA25.
•Forward all media queries to 2DMARDIVONTHERECORD@usmc.mil to be responded to our routed appropriately.
IF MEDIA APPROACHES
You do not have to talk to the media if you do not want to. If you do, be courteous, professional. Remember to refer them to the COMMSTRAT or Public Affairs Officer for questions out of your lane.
You may discuss:
• Unit, hometown, current duties.
•Atlantic Alliance 2025 in generalities, overall exercise and purpose.
• Your personal experiences.
You may not discuss:
• Exact dates or details of future movements or operations (OPSEC).
• Details of serious incidents/ accidents; unless authorized.
• Politics. You represent the USMC and 2d MARDIV… remain apolitical.
When speaking to the media
DO
• Be honest, but remember OPSEC.
• Assume everything you say is on the record.
• Check your appearance. Be in proper uniform, including proper use of PPE.
• Ignore the cameras. Speak to the reporter.
• Avoid military acronyms.
• Relax, be yourself, and remain professional.
• Talk about personal experiences. Stay in your lane.
• Be enthusiastic but control emotions.
• Say, “I don’t know” if you don’t know. It’s OK.
• Remember, your actions and responses are a direct reflection upon you, your unit and the military.
• Be brief and concise. You control the time limit.
• Listen…Pause…Think…Respond
DO NOT
• Lie to the reporter.
• Speculate.
• Speak for the command or your friends.
• Discuss mission details that may endanger military members or civilians.
• Speak on behalf of other agencies.
• Say we are not allowed to speak to you or say that’s “classified”
• Let situation or reporter rush you.
• Say “No comment.” Instead say, “I cannot speculate on ...”
• Post exercise details or imagery on social media for the duration of the exercise.
AA25 PUBLIC STATEMENT
•U.S. Second Fleet and II Marine Expeditionary Force, alongside Allies from the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, will conduct Atlantic Alliance 2025 (AA25) from June 27-July 15. AA25 is the premier East Coast naval integration exercise designed to rehearse, train, and refine U.S. Navy and Marine Corps amphibious capabilities while improving interoperability with our Allies in the littoral environment. AA25 will include a variety of amphibious operations consisting of a series of amphibious assaults and naval maneuver exercises taking place along the coastline from North Carolina to Maine. Embarked Marines, capable of employing the full scope of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force capabilities, on ready amphibious ships enable the joint force through the diversity of amphibious capabilities ranging from deterrence and humanitarian assistance to sea control and lethality.
MESSAGES AND TALKING POINTS
Message 1: U.S. Maritime Forces deliver integrated all-domain Naval power
-Talking Point 1: Integrated training like AA25 improves Navy and Marine Corps readiness, as it provides a means to test and refine individual warfighting concepts through real world application.
-Talking Point 2: AA25 helps our Navy and Marine Corps keep their advantages over countries that seek to undermine the rules-based international order and challenge the idea of a free and open maritime domain.
-Talking Point 2: AA25 allows our Navy and Marine Corps, alongside our Allies, to maintain and improve amphibious operations, expeditionary advanced base operations (EABO) and littoral operations in a contested environment (LOCE) capabilities.
Message 2: The Navy and Marine Corps prepare jointly for the future fight .
-Talking Point 1: Our Navy-Marine Corps team works together, and alongside Allies and partners, to fight on land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace.
-Talking Point 2: Our Navy-Marine Corps team is a flexible and ready force that the United States can use to defend its interests.
-Talking Point 3: AA25 uses real-world equipment and conditions to create a challenging and realistic environment designed to help the Navy and Marine Corps, alongside our Allies, further improve how we work as a cohesive team, operating with the same mission and knowledge set.
Message 3. Continued investment in naval capabilities provides long-term value in a dynamic maritime security environment.
-Talking Point 1: Investing in the Navy and Marine Corps now and in the future ensures that American leaders have the options they need to protect America's interests at home and around the world.
-Talking Point 2: AA25 improves how the Navy-Marine Corps team works with other U.S. military forces and Allies; maintains superior lethality in defense of the homeland; and ensures continued freedom of navigation throughout the Atlantic.