Public Affairs Specialist (46Q)
Arts and Media Army MOS Information

Posted Friday, November 25, 2005

• Enlisted
• Active Duty
• Army Reserve

Newspapers and broadcast television and radio programs are an important source of general information about people and events in the Army. Broadcast journalists and newswriters, such as the Journalist, are involved in writing and presenting news programs, music programs and radio talk shows.

The Army Journalist 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 Journalist may include:

• Researching, preparing and distributing news releases on Army personnel and activities
• Gathering information for military news programs and publications
• Developing ideas for news articles
• Arranging and conducting interviews
• Collecting information for commercial media use
• Writing news releases, feature articles and editorials

Training:

Job training for a Journalist consists of nine weeks of Basic Training, where you'll learn basic Soldiering skills, and 12 weeks of Advanced Individual Training at the Defense Information School at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part learning hands-on how to operate a camera, edit newspapers and photographs. You'll also put together a real newspaper contributing stories and photographs. Some of the skills you learn are:

• News, feature and sports writing and research
• Newspaper format and layout
• Interviewing techniques
• Photojournalism (photography journalism)
• Public speaking

Helpful Skills:

Helpful skills include:

• An interest in English, journalism, communications, computers and photography
• An ability to speak clearly in front of an audience
• An ability to keep detailed and accurate records
• An ability to meet deadlines
• An interest in researching facts and issues for news stories
• An ability to write clearly and concisely
• An interest in written media and public relations

Advanced Responsibilities:

Advanced level Journalists supervise and train other Soldiers within the same discipline. Advanced level Journalists are also responsible for:

• Developing ideas for stories, conducting interviews and taking photographs of soldiers and units in action
• Researching, preparing, and disseminating news releases and Web-based ma
• Writing news, sports and feature articles and editorials for military news
• Serving as an editor of a military community newspaper
• Working with the civilian media as an escort, liaison or spokesperson