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Promotion points for MOS 46Q Army Public Affairs Specialist

Newspapers, web sites, broadcast television and radio programs are an important source of general information about people and events in the Army. They also help tell the Army story by assisting with media relations and helping to prepare other Soldiers to be interviewed.

The Army Public Affairs Specialist participates in and assists with the supervision and administration of Army public affairs programs primarily through news releases, newspaper articles, Web-based material and photographs for use in military and civilian news media. Some of your duties as a Public Affairs Specialist may include:

Research, prepare and disseminate news releases, articles, web-based material and photographs on Army personnel and activities

Gather information for military news programs and publications within your unit and around the Army
Develop ideas for news articles
Arrange and conduct interviews
Collect information for commercial media use
Write news releases, feature articles and editorials
Conduct media training
Work as an escort or liaison to civilian media

Training
Job training for a Public Affairs Specialist requires nine weeks of Basic Training, where you’ll learn basic Soldiering skills, and 12 weeks of Advanced Individual Training. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part learning hands-on how to write news stores, operate a camera, and edit newspapers and photographs. You’ll also put together a real newspaper contributing stories and photographs. Some of the skills you’ll learn are:

News, feature and sports writing and research
Newspaper design and production
Interviewing techniques
Photojournalism (photography journalism)
Public speaking
Media Relations
Media escort and interactions

Advanced Responsibilities
Advanced level Public Affairs Specialist provides guidance, supervises and trains other Soldiers within the same discipline. As an advanced level Public Affairs Specialist, you may also be involved in:

Provide technical guidance to subordinates
Serve as first-line supervisor

Related Civilian Jobs
The skills you learn as a Public Affairs Specialist will help you prepare for a future with newspaper, magazines, wire services, public relations firms and radio and television stations. You’ll be qualified to pursue a career as a staff writer, editor or correspondent.

Related Army Positions
Combat Documentation / Production Specialist (25V)
Public Affairs Broadcast Specialist (46R)
Civil Affairs Specialist (38B)

See Current Promotion Points for MOS 46Q >