I love a book, movie or television show that makes the military look good. Sometimes, it’s too good, like NCIS. The Navy’s equivalent to the FBI only wishes they had access to the equipment shown on this popular show.

Then there’s Chuck, where agents from the CIA and NSC take commands from an Air Force brigadier general. That’s a bit off—the military directing spies. But what really gets my knickers in a bunch is the uniform the general wears. Seriously? Service dress to talk to underlings? Not going to happen. We’re at war, folks. Try a battle-dress uniform.

Authors tend to stick to the facts a bit better, maybe because readers have more time to nitpick over the details. That means it’s even more important to get your facts straight. After all, you don’t want some blogger blasting your lack of research.

So if you’re going to include military facts in your efforts, do a little research. And to make it easier for you, I’ve found the places you need to go to.

Start locally. Your nearest large military facility, whether it’s Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines or Coast Guard, will have a public affairs office. If it’s a small unit, someone will be designated as the public affairs representative. Call the installation operator and ask for public affairs or whoever answers requests from the public. If they can’t answer a list of questions, try asking for a base tour or a speaker to talk to your group.

The National Guard, aligned with the Army and the Air Force, are similar, but under the command of the state government. Though the units can be mobilized and fall under active-duty forces, they tend to be more available then the active forces and more open to community interaction. After all, these folks live around you and many have jobs in your town. They also have public affairs offices, but they aren’t always manned. You may be talking to whoever is on duty. Explain what you’re looking for and the Guard may be able to help.

Another place you can go for information is your local recruiting office. Recruiters generally take the assignment as a career-broadening experience. Since these military members often operate from one-deep offices, they are very accessible and would be able to answer general questions. They will also have access to demographic information, and career fields and what they do.

Below is contact information for each of the Armed Forces. All the armed services fall under the Department of Defense, except the Coast Guard, which comes under the Department of Homeland Security.

Army: Most willing Defense Department agency to work with uncontracted authors. New York Army Public Affairs director: Harry Sarles, Harrison.sarles <at> us.army.mil, 212-784-0111.

Air Force: New York Public Affairs Office handles author requests, though you must be contracted. Main number is 212-784-0147; email requests to bookrequest <at> mcguire.af.mil. Explain what you’re looking for and they will send a book request form. You’ll need to return it with a contract or letter of commitment.

Navy: Call the Navy’s New York office only if you have a contract. Fill out the online request form. Main phone: 212-784-0130. Current director is Lt. Cmdr. Suzanna Brugler, 212-784-0131. For base tours or general public requests, use the list of Navy Public Affairs Offices at: http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/paodir/address.txt.

Marine Corps: No central office. For Recruiting and Public Affairs Offices, go to: http://www.marines.mil/usmc/Pages/Contact.aspx. If desperate, email ontherecord <at> usmc.mil. This address is normally for credentialed media, but they may be able to refer you to another number.

Coast Guard: Requires a letter of intent or at least a letter of interest from a publisher. However, in some instances they do arrange interviews or other limited research support for authors who are earlier in the process. The support they provide will vary based on operational demands and what kind of access/support the author is seeking. Contact Angela Hirsch, Co-Chief, Community Relations Division, U.S. Coast Guard Office of Public Affairs, 202-372-4642 or angela.h.hirsch <at> uscg.mil.