Robert T. Hastings, Jr., served as acting assistant secretary of defense for public affairs from 2008 to 2009. He also served more than 20 years in the U.S. Army as a helicopter pilot and public affairs officer and continues to serve as a colonel in the Texas State Guard. He is currently the executive vice president for communications and government affairs at Bell Helicopter. The views expressed in this column are his alone and do not necessarily reflect those of his employer. Follow Bob on Twitter at @RTHastingsJr.
