Military Careers for International Relations Majors

I'm majoring in international relations and considering joining the military. What kinds of career opportunities are available for someone with my major? Any advice on how to align my studies with military roles?

There are numerous pathways in the military that could fit well with your international relations major. You might consider becoming a Foreign Area Officer (FAO). FAOs are commissioned officers from any of the five branches of the U.S. armed forces who are regionally-focused experts in political-military operations. As a FAO, you'd specialize in a specific region, developing linguistic skills, cultural knowledge and political-military awareness that would align with your studies.

The military also has numerous intelligence roles that could dovetail nicely with an International Relations degree. Being an intelligence officer would enable you to analyze and collect information from various sources to support operations and decision-making.

Another good option could be doing public affairs for the military. Public affairs officers help devise and implement public relations strategies that promote the military's interests at home and abroad. They handle everything from media relations to community outreach and international communications.

For aligning your studies, consider taking elective courses that could directly contribute to your intended military role. If you want to become a FAO, take courses focused on the region you're interested in or languages spoken there. For an intelligence role, courses in security studies or geopolitics would be beneficial. And for public affairs, courses in communication, journalism or media studies would be useful.

In addition, try to gain a wide spectrum of knowledge on global issues, develop strong analytical thinking and improve decision-making skills. You could do this through internships, extracurricular activities or by engaging in study abroad programs.

Before making a commitment, reach out to a military recruiter or a career counselor who can provide you with detailed information about the various roles in the military and guide you towards a career path that aligns with your interests and goals. Remember, serving in the military is a significant commitment, so be sure to weigh your options carefully. Overall, your major in International Relations may provide a strong foundation for a variety of roles in the military.