Navy Rating · Support
165X Public Affairs Officer
Overview
Public Affairs Officers direct or participate in programs that distribute information to service personnel and the public. They prepare and edit materials, arrange publicity, review content for compliance with security regulations, and maintain relationships with media and civic, educational, and youth organizations.
Core Skills
- public affairs and media relations
- strategic communications planning
- content creation and editing (print, web, social)
- crisis communication and incident messaging
- stakeholder engagement and outreach
- policy and security review of public information
- speechwriting and briefing preparation
- cross-functional coordination with leadership and staff
- project and program management
- on-camera and on-record spokesperson skills
Civilian Software & Tools
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe Creative Cloud software
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Photoshop
- Hypertext markup language HTML
Civilian Career Paths
- Public Affairs
- Project Management
- Training and Education
Training & Development
Getting Started
- Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Associate
- Microsoft Office Specialist: PowerPoint Associate
- Digital Video Editor (DVE)
Career Growth
- Communication Management Professional (CMP)
- Strategic Communication Management Professional (SCMP)
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
What the Work Involves
- Respond to requests for information from the media or designate an appropriate spokesperson or information source.
- Plan or direct development or communication of programs to maintain favorable public or stockholder perceptions of an organization's accomplishments, agenda, or environmental responsibility.
- Post and update content on the company's Web site and social media outlets.
- Write press releases or other media communications to promote clients.
- Prepare, rewrite and edit copy to improve readability, or supervise others who do this work.
Related Occupations
- Writers and Authors
- Advertising and Promotions Managers
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
- Proofreaders and Copy Markers
Typical preparation for these civilian roles: a four-year degree or equivalent experience.
Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.
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