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U.S. Army Public Affairs

Army Public Affairs

Telling the Army Story

VISION

To use innovative communication strategies to reach broad audiences, engaging them in a meaningful and memorable way, while building trust and confidence in America's Army.

MISSION

Fulfill the Army's obligation to inform and educate the American people, keep Army personnel informed, help establish the conditions that lead to trust, confidence and pride in America's Army and its readiness to conduct operations in competition, crisis and conflict — all while strengthening the Army's reputation and protecting its brand.

What is a Public Affairs Officer (PAO)?

Army Public Affairs Officers (46A) are the Army's strategic communicators and key advisors to senior leaders. PAOs leverage communication techniques to effectively tell the Army's story to the right audiences using the right tools, ensuring the American public understands what the Army and its Soldiers are doing.

Army Communications and Outreach Office

The Army Communications and Outreach Office, located at the Pentagon and part of the Army Secretariat, is comprised of Department of the Army civilians and enlisted and commissioned Soldiers adept at planning and executing communication strategy through corporate communication, media and stakeholder engagements and community outreach activities directed toward external and internal publics with interest in the Department of War. The proactive release of accurate information puts U.S. military operations in context, facilitates informed perceptions about military operations, counters misinformation and disinformation and helps achieve national, strategic, operational and tactical objectives. PA exists to maintain the trust and confidence of the American public and deter adversaries at home and abroad.

Journalists and members of traditional or social media are welcome to submit inquiries to Headquarters, Department of the Army Public Affairs. Please use the media query form to contact the Army Communications and Outreach Office.

Digital Management Division

The Digital Management Division disseminates news and information to audiences through digital means in order to shape conditions that enhance the trust and confidence in America's Army.

Army Outreach Division

Located in the Pentagon, the Outreach Division coordinates Army outreach nationwide by connecting Army Senior Leaders with communities and developing relationships with organizations, businesses, sports teams and individuals who support Soldiers, Families and Veterans.

Contact the Army Outreach Team by email: usarmy.pentagon.hqda-acoo.mbx.strategy-policy-and-assessments@army.mil.

Army Multimedia Visual Information Division

The Army Communications and Outreach Office - Army Multimedia Visual Information Division (AMVID) is the official service provider for visual information and multimedia products and services to the Office of the Secretary of War, Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Secretary of the Army, Headquarters Department of the Army and other federal agencies in the National Capital Region. AMVID's core capabilities include photo and video documentation, photographic studio operations, studio TV production, audio visual services, streaming/broadcast, graphic art support, event support, video technical services and technical VI consulting services. AMVID is an essential information capability that:

  • Provides strategic and operational supporting capability to information operations
  • Aids the public affairs community by providing information to the public and contributes to public diplomacy objectives
  • Aids operational planning and decision making critical to effective and efficient training
  • Is fundamental to the historical and evidentiary record of Army/DoW activities and actions

Army Public Affairs School

Established in 2026, the Army Public Affairs School develops career management field 46 Soldiers to execute public affairs and visual information activities in support of the Army and joint force in all strategic contexts across the competition continuum. The school develops and coordinates doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel, and facilities requirements related to the public affairs function including approving doctrinal and training products and policies pertaining to public affairs professional qualifications, recommends specific equipment requirements and operations policy. The school is assigned to the Transformation and Training Command under the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence.

Why Should You Become an Army Public Affairs Officer?

If you understand the importance of good communications in today's complex environment, Public Affairs may be for you. If you want a job where each day is different from the last and you interface with Soldiers, media and community leaders, come see us. We are looking for energetic, ambitious, curious and committed officers to help lead the effort in effectively telling the Army's story and ensuring people understand what their Army and their Soldiers are doing.

What do Public Affairs Officers Do?

The job of a PAO is a tireless, yet rewarding one. Aside from advising the commander on best approaches when interacting with the public at large, PAOs leverage communication techniques to effectively tell the Army's story to the right audience using the right tools, doing so as rapidly as possible. PAOs engage the media and their community and communicate corporately in support of Army communication strategies that build the trust and confidence of the American public and deter current and potential adversaries.

Advise and Counsel

As the PAO, you have the commander's ear. At all echelons, PAOs are the primary staff officers serving as the principal public communication advisor to the commander on all PA matters. PAOs possess review and release authority for all information and products intended for the public on behalf of the commander and command. By leading the commander's communication synchronization process, PAOs coordinate PA programs, plans, themes, messages and products specific to their command and mission with sister Information Related Capabilities (IRCs) and ensure command level communication initiatives align with DA themes and messages. PAOs ensure their commanders know the differences between inform and influence actions pertaining to their communication strategies and as they apply to both their mission and audience. As a PAO, you also have a critical role in advising the commander on communication strategy during crises situations.

Community Outreach

PAOs value the relationship between military and civilian communities and take careful measures to engage. PAOs value communication as continual dialogue and interaction with all stakeholders and are experts and delivering the right messages to the right audiences using the right methods. Whether deployed or at home, PAOs fulfill the commander's requirement to inform the American people and all stakeholders of Army activities and initiatives.

Command Information

Known as corporate communication outside the military, command information is essentially all official internal communication efforts which you as a PAO, have the responsibility for. This is communicating to the command, to Soldiers, to subordinate leaders and to the Families that make up the organization using all communication tools available ranging from social media and multimedia products, to simple newsletters and command speeches.

Digital Media Management

As communicators, PAOs operate continuous of information that moves faster than ever before. To successfully tell the Army's story, you will use a variety of aligned digital communication tools to instantaneously tell the Army's story, stay connected with the Army family and share Army information both accurately and timely.

Deterring Adversaries and Countering Propaganda

In tactical and operational environments, and when appropriate, synchronization and coordination of communication objectives are conducted directly between staff sections in the information operations working group. It's important to note, Public Affairs and Information Operations both directly support military objectives, but their activities differ with respect to intent, scope and audience and are governed by separate procedures. All information dissemination, regardless of the communicator or medium, is intended to either inform or influence. Public affairs leads the commander's communication synchronization process, coordinating with other information related capabilities (IRCs) in the operational environment during the military decision-making process (MDMP). This effort enables all Commanders, through non-public affairs information-related activities, to communicate to select, non-American public's changing attitudes, beliefs and behavior.

How to Apply

There are multiple pathways to earn a commission as an Army Public Affairs Officer, depending on current civilian or military status.

Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC)

Army ROTC is a collegiate program offered at hundreds of universities nationwide that prepares young adults to become officers in the U.S. Army.

  • Overview: Cadets take military science courses alongside their regular college curriculum. Upon graduation, they commission as Second Lieutenants.
  • PAO Selection: As graduation approaches, cadets submit their branch preferences. Selection for the Public Affairs branch is highly competitive and based on the Order of Merit List, which factors in academic GPA, physical fitness and leadership evaluations.
  • Learn more about ROTC on GoArmy.com.

Officer Candidate School (OCS)

Officer Candidate School is an intensive 12-week leadership training course designed for college graduates.

  • Overview: OCS is an option for civilians who already hold a bachelor's degree or for current enlisted Soldiers looking to commission. It evaluates physical stamina, mental agility and leadership abilities under stress.
  • PAO Selection: Similar to ROTC, OCS candidates submit their branching preferences during the course. Assignment to Public Affairs depends heavily on the immediate needs of the Army and the candidate's overall class standing.
  • Learn more about OCS on GoArmy.com.

Direct Commissioning Program

Qualified civilians and current service members may apply for a direct appointment as an officer in the U.S. Army from the rank of second lieutenant through colonel, depending on a thorough review and calculation of relevant education, training, certifications and work experience.

  • Overview: The Army utilizes Public Affairs as a direct commissioning branch to attract and retain talent with extensive communications, journalism, marketing or public relations experience . Applicants attend a 6-week Direct Commissioning Course and the Basic Officer Leaders Course .
  • Eligibility: Requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree (a master's degree is highly competitive), significant civilian or military public affairs experience, and the ability to meet all physical and security clearance requirements.
  • Learn more on the Direct Commissioning Program website.

Green to Gold Program

The Green to Gold program is designed specifically for active-duty enlisted Soldiers who want to earn a baccalaureate or graduate degree and commission as an Army officer.

  • Overview: Qualified enlisted Soldiers can transition from their active-duty roles — or stay on active duty, depending on the specific option chosen — to attend college and participate in an ROTC program.
  • Options: The program offers scholarship options: full tuition or room and board;active-duty options: remain on active duty pay and allowances while in school; and non-scholarship options.
  • PAO Selection: Once enrolled in ROTC via Green to Gold, Soldiers compete for branch assignments, including Public Affairs, on the national Order of Merit List just like traditional cadets.
  • Learn more about Green to Gold on GoArmy.com.

Voluntary Transfer Incentive Program (VTIP)

The Voluntary Transfer Incentive Program (VTIP) provides a branch transfer opportunity for officers to request transfer into the Public Affairs branch within the Army's manning requirements. One panel is held each year for qualified officers. For more information on the program, contact the HRC VTIP manager via email or visit HRC's website.

DEVELOPMENTAL OPPORTUNITIES

Army Public Affairs offers two premier developmental programs for active-duty officers designed to greatly enhance skills as a communication expert and make a strategic impact for the Army. These programs provide exposure to state-of-the-art educational and corporate settings, expand assignment options and increase promotion potential for those committed to continued service.

Advanced Civil Schooling

A 12-month program where officers earn a master's degree in communication or related field as a full-time student at a civilian university.

Training With Industry

Gain public relations experience and industry leading skills with some of America's top corporations and PR firms.

Internal Resources

Visit the U.S. Army Public Affairs School SharePoint (CAC-enabled) for the latest timeline, packet checklist and templates.

Contact

Reach out to the Branch Proponent Office or the Public Affairs Career Manager for eligibility and career timeline guidance.

Public Affairs Policy

Army Public Affairs References

Department of War and Joint References

RESOURCES

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