Adm. Mike Mullen, Navy chief of naval operations, has used the 2006 Strategic Communications Guide (the “Playbook”) to task flag officers and afloat commanding officers to support the Navy’s communications strategy. Each flag officer should make a speech or conduct a public engagement before a “non-Navy” audience outside the home port area audience once every six months, and within the homeport area once a year. Three- and four-star admirals were asked to conduct a major media event annually in their local areas and wherever they travel. Commanding officers assigned to ships named after cities, states, and individuals should arrange a “namesake” visit to their respective city or state (or other place related to the ship’s namesake) each year. “Outside” engagements should be before groups not attuned with the Navy. Examples: editorial boards, press conferences, or in-depth interviews with major media outlets.