Fleet Hometown News (FHTN) pictures are brief feature stories about Navy people. These stories are released to the media in the hometown of the military member concerned.

FHTNC topics are grouped into three major categories as follows:

Military achievements

a. Graduation from military schools or completion of military-training courses

b. Awards

c. Advancements or promotions

d. Reenlistments

*Personal achievements

a. Completion of off-duty education, such as college courses

b. Hobbies

c. Sporting events

d. Awards from civilian organizations

Participation stories

a. Reporting or serving aboard a ship or station

b. Participating in crisis actions

c. Participating in humanitarian programs

d. Visiting foreign ports throughout the world

The photograph of a subject for FHTN can be either a formal or informal portrait. The most important aspect of an FHTN photograph is for the face of the subject to be clearly identified. When more than one person is in a photograph, the emphasis should be placed on the subject of the story.

Here are a few tips that should help your FHTN features get released:

Do not submit photographs that could be embarrassing to the subject or to the Navy.

Fill the photograph with the largest practical image size and "tighten up" two or more subjects to avoid unwanted space between them.

Ensure the subject is properly attired for the task at hand.

Ensure the background is suitable for the photograph.

Avoid photographs where the subject appears to be posing (except for a formal portrait).

Use lighting that does not conceal large portions of the subject's face.

Since text in a newspaper and other periodicals is in columns, vertically composed photographs are preferred by editors.

For the most up-to-date information on procedures and specifications for hometown news stories, refer to Instructions and Policy Concerning Fleet Home Town News Program, SECNAVINST 5724.3.