Compatible Use Program: Case Study
Overview
The Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) is a regional planning commission in Texas that facilitates communication and collaboration between local military installations and municipal, county, and community stakeholders. The Compatible Use Program aims to promote compatible civilian development, protect public health and safety, enhance military readiness, and improve the quality of life in the surrounding communities. Supported by the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) and AACOG members, the program addresses the needs of military bases across Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, and Kendall counties.
The Challenge
AACOG needed a comprehensive storytelling tool to effectively communicate the objectives and benefits of their Compatible Use Programs. This involved facilitating better civilian-military communication and collaboration, promoting compatible civilian development, and preserving public health and safety. Additionally, the program needed to enhance the security of installation missions and the quality of life for both military and civilian communities. Despite San Antonio being known as Military City, USA, many residents were unaware of the breadth of missions, training, and specialties operating within the JBSA installations.
The Solution
To address these challenges, we developed a multi-faceted video series and an accompanying website to promote AACOG’s Compatible Use Programs. The project focused on providing compelling storytelling tools that humanized both the community and military sides, showcasing the spirit of collaboration and providing valuable insights into the program’s objectives.
The Process
Research & Discovery:
We conducted extensive research to understand the Compatible Use Program’s goals and the specific needs of AACOG. This included reviewing previous Joint Land Use Studies and conducting interviews with military and city leaders.
Strategic Approach:
Our approach involved creating a series of engaging and informative videos supported by a dedicated website to enhance the program’s outreach and effectiveness.
- On-Location Interviews: Conducted 12 on-location interviews with leaders in the military community as well as city leaders to capture their insights and perspectives on the Compatible Use Program. These interviews were designed to humanize both sides and highlight the collaborative spirit of the program.
- Video Production: Produced a series of videos that communicated the objectives and benefits of the Compatible Use Program. The videos served as an educational series, providing the general public with awareness about the myriad of missions, training, and specialties operating within JBSA installations. They also educated policymakers and the business community on the importance of preserving military installations, providing adequate land and an appropriate environment for training while minimizing disruptions to residents and wildlife. Examples include the dark skies ordinance around Camp Bullis and preventing encroachment around the clear zone at Randolph.
- Website Development: Developed a dedicated website (https://compatibleuse.com/) to promote the videos, provide resources, and introduce the community to the Compatible Use Program. The website serves as a central hub for information and resources related to the program.
The Result
The Compatible Use Video Series and accompanying website significantly improved AACOG’s ability to communicate the objectives and benefits of their Compatible Use Programs. The videos provided clear and compelling storytelling tools that humanized both the community and military sides, fostering a spirit of collaboration and mutual understanding. They served as a front door to JBSA, educating residents about the importance and scale of military operations, while also informing policymakers and the business community about the necessity of preserving military installations and preventing encroachment. The dedicated website served as an effective platform for disseminating information and resources, enhancing the program’s outreach and impact. Overall, the project successfully supported AACOG’s mission to promote compatible development, protect public health and safety, and enhance military readiness and quality of life in the surrounding communities.