Public Information Officers

Background

The services have public information officers to keep the public informed about the military. They also prepare reports and news releases about activities on military bases and service policies and operations. Public information officers answer questions from the news media, members of Congress, private citizens, and service personnel. 

What They Do

Public information officers in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Brief military personnel before they meet with the public and the news media
• Plan activities to improve public relations
• Provide information to newspapers, TV and radio stations, and civic organizations
• Schedule and conduct interviews and news conferences
• Supervise the preparation of reports and other releases to the public and the military

Physical Demands

No information available.

Special Requirements

A four-year college degree is normally required to enter this career.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful attributes include:

• Ability to speak effectively in public
• Ability to write clearly and simply
• Interest in news and current events

Helpful School Subjects

No information available.

Helpful Fields of Study

Helpful fields of study include:

• Advertising
• Communications
• Journalism
• Public relations

Work Environment

Public information officers usually work in offices.

Services offering this career:

• Air Force
• Army
• Coast Guard
• Marine Corps
• Navy

Hiring Practices

To serve in the military, a person must be at least 17; the maximum age for enlistment varies. To enlist, a person must pass a physical exam and an aptitude test. An enlistee must also meet military standards of discipline and be a US citizen or permanent resident alien.

This position is for officers.

Wages

The military is competitive with the civilian world when it comes to pay and benefits. All branches offer the same basic pay and benefits.

Pay depends mainly on rank or grade as well as length of service. Bonuses and the situation in which the person is serving (for example: flight duty, sea duty, hazardous duty) also affect pay. 

Cost-of-living increases usually occur every year, based on inflation. The military also pays allowances for food, clothing, and housing. All these factors combined are called Regular Military Compensation (RMC). They should all be considered when comparing military pay to civilian pay.

There are two main parts to RMC: basic pay and allowances. There are also additional incentives for special abilities, training, or hazardous duty.

Check out the RMC Calculator to calculate your RMC based on your inputs.

Training Provided

Job training consists of eight weeks of classroom instruction.

Course content typically includes:

• Department of Defense policies
• Principles of public information and community relations

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian public information officers work for large corporations, government agencies, colleges and universities, and community groups. They perform duties similar to those performed by military public information officers. They may also be called public relations representatives and corporate communications specialists.

Related Civilian Careers

• Public Relations and Fundraising Managers
• Public Relations Specialists

Employment and Outlook

In peace time the services have about 800 public information officers. In times of military action the number may be different, depending on the type of specialties required. Each year the services need new public information officers due to changes in personnel and the demands of the field. After job training, public information officers normally direct specialists who gather information for reports, respond to requests for information, and write news releases. With experience, public information officers prepare and give briefings, speeches, and interviews. Eventually, they may advance to senior public affairs positions.