Public Affairs

Public affairs fulfills the Army's obligation to keep the American people and the Army informed, and helps to establish the conditions that lead to confidence in America's Army and its readiness to conduct operations in peacetime, conflict and war.

What is Army Public Affairs?

Army Public Affairs is comprised of Soldiers and Officers adept at planning and executing a commander’s communication strategy through corporate communication, media and stakeholder engagements, and community outreach activities directed toward external and internal publics with interest in the Department of Defense. The proactive release of accurate information puts U.S. Military operations in context, facilitates informed perceptions about Military operations, counters misinformation and disinformation, and helps achieve national, strategic, operational and tactical objectives. PA exists to maintain the trust and confidence of the American public and deter adversaries at home and abroad.

What is a Public Affairs Officer (PAO)?

U.S. Army Public Affairs Officers serve an important role in telling the Army story. At a glance, PAOs not only serve as the principal communication advisor to the commander on communication strategy, visual information (VI) planning, and public affairs requirements across all mission phases and domains, PAOs also conduct public affairs training for commanders and organizations, facilitate media engagements, and play an important role in mitigating misinformation and disinformation and deterring our adversaries.

U.S. Army Public Affairs Officers lead dynamic and deployable global communication teams who speak for the commander and the organization. The success of the PAO is measured by their ability to leverage strategic insight, perform under pressure, and willingness to accept tasks both small and large to get the job done. We’re looking for someone with an ambitious spirit, an insatiable curiosity and a commitment to tell the U.S. Army’s story.

Why Should You Become an Army Public Affairs Officer?

If you understand the importance of good communications in today’s complex environment, Public Affairs may be for you. If you want a job where each day is different from the last, and you interface with Soldiers, media, and community leaders, come see us. We are looking for energetic, ambitious, curious, and committed officers to help lead the effort in effectively telling the Army’s story and ensuring people understand what their Army and their Soldiers are doing.

What do Public Affairs Officers Do?

The job of a PAO is a tireless, yet rewarding one. Aside from advising the commander on best approaches when interacting with the public at large, PAOs leverage communication techniques to effectively tell the Army’s story to the right audience using the right tools, doing so as rapidly as possible. PAOs engage the media and their community, and communicate corporately in support of Army communication strategies that build the trust and confidence of the American public and deter current and potential adversaries.

Advise and Counsel

As the PAO you have the commander’s ear. At all echelons PAOs are the primary staff officers serving as the principal public communication advisor to the commander on all PA matters. PAOs possess review and release authority for all information and products intended for the public on behalf of the commander and command. By leading the commander’s communication synchronization process, PAOs coordinate PA programs, plans, themes, messages, and products specific to their command and mission with sister Information Related Capabilities (IRCs), and ensure command level communication initiatives align with DA themes and messages. PAOs ensure their commanders know the differences between inform and influence actions pertaining to their communication strategies and as they apply to both their mission and audience. As a PAO, you also have a critical role in advising the commander on communication strategy during crises situations.

Media Relations

Anytime you see a deep-dive military story on 60 minutes or Vice News, chances are there was a PAO involved who helped facilitate that project. PAOs help the public understand the military by facilitating engagements between national and international media outlets and Soldiers, escorting media throughout operational and training environments, creating news and information products that inform the public on Army activities at home and abroad, and much more.

Community Outreach

PAOs value the relationship between military and civilian communities and take careful measures to engage. PAOs value communication as continual dialogue and interaction with all stakeholders and are experts and delivering the right messages to the right audiences using the right methods. Whether deployed or at home, PAOs fulfill the commander’s requirement to inform the American people and all stakeholders of Army activities and initiatives.

Command Information

Known as corporate communication outside the military, command information is essentially all official internal communication efforts which you as a PAO, have the responsibility for. This is communicating to the command, to Soldiers, to subordinate leaders, and to the Families that make up the organization using all communication tools available ranging from social media and multimedia products, to simple newsletters and command speeches.

Digital Media Management

As communicators, PAOs operate continuous of information that moves faster than ever before. To successfully tell the Army's story, you will use a variety of aligned digital communication tools to instantaneously tell the Army's story, stay connected with the Army family and share Army information both accurately and timely.

Deterring Adversaries and Countering Propaganda

In tactical and operational environments, and when appropriate, synchronization and coordination of communication objectives are conducted directly between staff sections in the information operations working group. It’s important to note, Public Affairs and Information Operations both directly support military objectives, but their activities differ with respect to intent, scope, and audience and are governed by separate procedures. All information dissemination, regardless of the communicator or medium, is intended to either inform or influence. Public affairs leads the commander’s communication synchronization process, coordinating with other information related capabilities (IRCs) in the operational environment during the military decision-making process (MDMP). This effort enables all Commanders, through non-public affairs information-related activities, to communicate to select, non-American public’s changing attitudes, beliefs, and behavior.

Broadening Opportunities for PAOs

Army Public Affairs has two programs for Active Duty officers designed to greatly enhance your skills as a communication expert make an impact for the Army. They are designed to grow your experience and provide exposure to best industry practices in state of the art educational and corporate settings. These opportunities open additional assignment options and increase promotion potential.

Basic Qualifications:

• Age - 17 to 34 years old
• Education - Current Senior in High School(HS), HS Diploma, GED or higher
• Citizenship - U.S. Citizen/Permanent Resident
• Submit to background and medical screening

Benefits:

• Up to $40K bonus
• Up to $115,000 for additional education benefits
• 30 days’ vacation with pay per year
• Additional living expenses for those who have dependents

When you are interested in finding out more about this position, please apply now and within 24-48 hours, you will receive an email/text from our Army virtual recruiting station.

About U.S. Army:

The US Army Albany Recruiting Battalion is a team of proud professionals where all team members understand the importance of sustaining The All-Volunteer Army for our Nation and are empowered and committed to doing their part to accomplish the recruiting mission. We will provide a positive recruiting experience to all personnel by taking care of Soldiers, civilians, and families while maintaining the Public’s Trust. Our shared goals will inspire the highest qualified men and women to enlist into the Active Army and the US Army Reserve ensuring the security and readiness of our nation.U.S. Army and U.S Army Reserves recruiters helping people explore their career options in the United States MilitaryGive us a call to schedule an appointment for more information Walk-ins are welcomeFull and Part Time Opportunities Available:o Salary Payo Allowances for Housingo GI Bill (4 Years Education Benefits)o Tuition Assistanceo Student Loan Repayment Availableo Job Selection in Writingo Highest Promotion Rates in Militaryo Medical Insuranceo Dental Insuranceo 30 Days Paid Vacation Annuallyo Cash Bonuses Available

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