What do military public affairs jobs involve?

I'm considering a career in public affairs possibly with the military. What does working in military public affairs involve, and what qualifications are usually required? Are there significant differences between civilian and military public affairs roles?

Working in military public affairs involves a range of responsibilities aimed at facilitating communication within the military and between the military and the public. This can entail managing relationships with the media, producing and disseminating communications materials, organizing public events and briefings, and working on internal communications within the military itself.

While general communications and public relations principles apply to both civilian and military roles, military public affairs roles often require familiarity with military culture and rules as well as public affairs processes within the context of national defense. This might involve understanding how to handle classified information, communicating about active operations or conflicts, or working with senior military officials.

Usually, some form of higher education related to fields such as communication, public relations, or journalism is beneficial for entering into this field. However, the military often provides specialized training for public affairs roles through its own schools and programs. For instance, the Defense Information School run by the Department of Defense provides comprehensive training for military public affairs personnel.

In terms of qualifications, many public affairs roles in the military require officer commission, which typically involves completing a bachelor's degree and officer training school. Some roles might also require specific skills, such as fluency in a foreign language or past journalistic experience.

In comparison to civilian roles, a career in military public affairs typically comes with a higher level of security and protocol requirements. Job duties may also be influenced by military objectives and obligations, and you may have opportunities to work in a variety of locations worldwide - often changing every few years. On the other hand, civilian public affairs roles might offer more flexibility and may be more focused on promoting a particular company or individual rather than a larger military body or operation.