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Military Public Affairs Specialists and Broadcast Journalists

Military Career

General Information

Description

Public affairs specialists and broadcast journalists publish communication products through radio, television, video, and web content for worldwide distribution. They are responsible for advising leadership, public affairs planning, developing and executing information strategies, and community relations. Some are trained to operate audio and video equipment in both tactical and non-tactical environments.

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Work Environment

Public affairs specialists and broadcast journalists work in offices and broadcasting studios on land or aboard ships, or sometimes outdoors, depending upon the research needed for their articles.

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Comparable Industries

  • Marketing

Related Military Careers

No Information for this section

Military Outlook

Service Branches

Jobs in this career field may be available in other service branches. Call or email a particular branch for more info.

Military Status

  • Enlisted
    • Hands-on/specialized
    • High school diploma required

Military Workforce

Public Affairs Specialists and Broadcast Journalists in the Military

1,627

No Information for this section

Salary

Average Salary

$72,750

What makes up a military salary?

Military salaries include a lot more than just base pay.

They also offer:

  • Housing allowances
  • Subsistence allowances
  • Special and incentive pays
  • Cost-of-living allowances
  • Hazardous-duty pay
  • Bonuses

Learn more about what goes into a salary with the compensation estimator

Learn more about military insurance and retirement benefits

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Education

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • Bachelor's degree 90%
  • Master's degree 9%
  • High school 0%
  • Some college 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Associate's degree 0%
  • Post baccalaureate 0%
  • Less than high school 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • First professional degree 0%
  • Post-secondary certificate 0%

Military training

All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training. Public affairs specialists and broadcast journalists in the Military will gain skills through classroom study and on-the-job experience. Job-specific training content may include: News, feature and sports writing and researchNewspaper format and layoutPhotojournalism Radio and television programming and productionInterviewing techniquesPublic speakingMedia RelationsCrisis communications

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Military training

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All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training. Public affairs specialists and broadcast journalists in the Military will gain skills through classroom study and on-the-job experience. Job-specific training content may include:

  • News, feature and sports writing and research
  • Newspaper format and layout
  • Photojournalism
  • Radio and television programming and production
  • Interviewing techniques
  • Public speaking
  • Media Relations
  • Crisis communications

Related College Majors

Select major to see colleges that offer it

Knowledge

  • Communications and Media
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Sales and Marketing
  • English Language
  • Administrative

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership
No Information for this section

Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.