Officer

The Commanding Officer of USS Kitty Hawk is presented a welcome gift of flowers by a representative of the Republic of Korea after the arrival of Kitty Hawk.

Public Affairs

Job Description:

Managing the flow of news and information for the Navy, the media, and the public is the responsibility of a group of elite Officers who specialize in the Navy’s public relations. Public Affairs Officers are the eyes and ears of the fleet and often the rest of the world. Effective delivery of information is an intricate part of the Navy – in the form of visual, audio, and written communications, both internally and to the public.

What Will You Do?

Utilizing your planning and communications skills while working with a combat photography unit, you may find yourself directing the development of a training video for an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team. Or perhaps you’ll help arrange a presidential visit to the Norfolk Naval Base, where you’ll have the opportunity to meet the President. Whether you’re coordinating a video webcast for the Navy’s website, issuing a press release, or helping an admiral prepare an important speech, your creativity, communication skills, and people savvy will be employed daily. Regardless of which parts of the world you’ll travel and on which missions, a career in public affairs in the Navy is never short on excitement. As a Public Affairs Officer, you may also:

• Supervise the writing and delivery of press releases and reports for the public and military
• Brief military personnel before they meet with the public and news media
• Provide information to newspapers, TV and radio stations, and civic organizations
• Schedule and conduct interviews and news conferences
• Oversee the content and production of radio and television programs
• Advise the operational commander on decision-making and communication with three main audiences: media, internal Navy, and the public
• Direct the preparation of layouts and content for papers, magazines, and websites

Skills and Training

There are a few ways to become a Naval Officer. Most prospective Public Affairs Officers attend Officer Candidate School (OCS), a 12-week Navy orientation school in Newport, Rhode Island. OCS prepares you for the roles and responsibilities expected of and afforded to U.S. Navy Officers through academic and military courses and physical fitness training. Course subjects include Naval operations, orientation and administration, Navy history, strategic deterrence and sea control, shipboard management, combat systems, ship control, and surface ship fundamentals. Public Affairs Officers attend the Defense Information School at Ft. Meade, Maryland prior to their first duty station. This 10-week advanced training course includes principles of public information and community relations and Department of Defense policies.

Special Pay/Bonuses

Fringe benefits include free and low-cost travel, 30 days paid vacation every year, Officer status, and the use of Officers’ Clubs and recreation facilities. Public Affairs Officers can qualify for Sea Pay based on assignment.

Career Outlook

The skills you will acquire as a Public Affairs Officer are essential to large corporations, government agencies, and colleges and universities worldwide. With media exposure, management skills, and public relations experience, you’ll have the skill set to dive into virtually any media or public affairs position. The opportunity to document news almost anywhere in the world is a reality in the Navy, giving Officers in this field a wide range of real-world experience and an unmatched portfolio.