Talk:Psychological operations

Archive 1

United States Section contradiction

The sentences:

The purpose of United States psychological operations (PSYOP) is to induce or reinforce attitudes and behaviors favorable to U.S. objectives.

In the United States Department of Defense, Psychological Operations units exist only in the Army.

The United States Navy also plans and executes limited PSYOP missions.

Unlike some countries, United States PSYOP units and soldiers of all branches of the military are prohibited by law from conducting PSYOP missions on domestic audiences.

seem to contradict each other. Are there only units in the army or in all branches? --Patrick Berry 17:47, 12 February 2007 (UTC)

Interpretation:

I'm not an expert - but the article would indicate that all full time Psyop MOS or Psyop units under DOD are Army. Though they are often under Joint Special Operations Command, a seperate budget from the army, JSOC employs Army Psyop personell. "Psyop Specialists" are unique to the US Army.

The article would infer that any pyschological operations done by the Navy are performed by units with other designations.. I.E. Navy Inteligence or Marketing/Public Relations officers may perform "Psyop" missions as a course of their duties, but are not exclusivley designated full time psyop units.

The distinction would be Title vs. Task. For example, any soldier may need to snipe an opponent. Marines have full time specialist snipers.

65.82.126.100 20:25, 14 February 2007 (UTC)

I wish I could help on this. I was Army PSYOP and back when I was in, my understanding was that the Army was the only branch with a PSYOP MOS or Units. - Atfyfe 22:29, 14 February 2007 (UTC)

It doesn’t contradict itself. Psychological Operations cannot be performed on domestic audiences (United States), however, that does not mean they can not be conducted abroad (Iraq).

204.34.247.11 "In the United States Department of Defense, Psychological Operations units exist only in the Army.

The United States Navy also plans and executes limited PSYOP missions. "

_{The first two sentences are not contradictions because while the Navy conducts PSYOP missions, they have no PSYOP Units.}

___ The purpose of United States psychological operations (PSYOP) is to induce or reinforce attitudes and behaviors favorable to U.S. objectives. Unlike some countries, United States PSYOP units and soldiers of all branches of the military are prohibited by law from conducting PSYOP missions on domestic audiences. ___

_{^^---and these sentences don't hold any relevance to the supposed contradiction.}

204.34.247.11