Army Reserve Broadcasting Careers

A lot of people think of the Army as infantry and tanks, but there are more career opportunities available. "The Army has DJ's?" is a common reaction when you tell people the Army has Broadcast Journalist, Broadcast Engineer, and Public Affairs jobs available to them. Designated as the Army Public Affairs Branch, this set of Military Occupational Specialities (MOS) and Officer Branches deal directly with all forms of broadcast, written, and Spoken communications. The broadcast skills learned in these positions can be directly applied to a career in broadcasting or electronic journalism. During training and deployments soldiers in Army Broadcast units work in some of the most unique and challenging environments. From working overseas at an American Forces Network Affiliate, to conducting press conferences and news gathering in the Middle East, the Army Broadcast world will give you experiences tough to find anywhere else. You can find the majority of the Army Broadcast jobs in the US Army Reserves.

46R - Army Broadcast Journalist

The Broadcast Journalist participates in or supervises the operation of radio or television broadcast teams in conjunction with American Forces Network (AFN) affiliates or comparable broadcast activities. You will learn how to prepare scripts and news copy for military broadcast outlets. In addition the broadcast journalist is required to participate as radio/TV hosts, announcers, master of ceremonies and actors in military radio and television broadcasts. As a broadcast journalist you will edit and produce your own news packages and radio/TV content as mission dictates. The Army provides your intensive, formal broadcast journalist training at the Defense Information School (DINFOS) at Fort Mead, Maryland.

Besides meeting the requirements for Army enlistment or continued military service, Broadcast Journalist positions require the following:

• Minimum aptitude score of 107 in the GT area
• Ability to type 20wpm
• Pass a voice audition
• High School graduate or equivalent
• two years of high school English minimum
• Basic computer skills
• possess a valid drivers license

The Broadcast Engineer installs, operates and maintains visual information equipment to include: video teleconferencing equipment, power generation systems, video editing equipment, broadcast camera equipment, and audio equipment. The Army broadcast engineers are responsible for keeping a broadcast facility running as smooth as possible. They may also assist the broadcast journalist with camera shots and set up. The Army provides your intensive, formal broadcast engineer training at the Defense Information School (DINFOS) at Fort Mead, Maryland.

Besides meeting the requirements for Army enlistment or continued service, Broadcast Engineer positions require the following:

• Minimum aptitude score of 107 in the EL area
• High school diploma or equivalent
• One year of high school algebra and general science
• Basic computer skills
• Normal color vision

Public Affairs Officers in an Army broadcast unit are responsible for the planning, execution, oversight and allocation of broadcast journalist and Broadcast engineer resources. It is a rewarding, unique role for Army officers with an appitude in writing, journalism, and speaking pursuits.

If you are a US Army Officer interested in being part of a broadcast journalism unit, the following is required:

• Completion of 46A Public Affairs Course at Fort Mead, Maryland
• Bachelors degree or higher with a major in Journalism, English, or Mass Communications
• 2-years of prior service in a US Military Public Affairs unit

Currently there are four US Army Reserve Broadcast Public Affairs Detachments (BPAD) located throughout the USA. All four have immediate needs for Broadcast Journalists, Broadcast Engineers, and Public Affairs Officers. These positions are open to both new recruits and prior service members that meet the above criteria. The Units and contact numbers are:

• 206th Broadcast Public Affairs Detachment Grand Prairie, TX Ph: 972-343-4116

• 209th Broadcast Public Affairs Detachment Rome, GA Ph: 706-235-9750 x22

• 222nd Broadcast Public Affairs Detachment Bell, CA PH: 323-307-4488

• 356th Broadcast Public Affairs Detachment Fort Meade, MD PH: 301-833-6535

If you are interested in becoming an Army Broadcast journalist, Broadcast Engineer, or Public Affairs Officer please contact the unit in your area to set up a voice audition and meet with an army career counselor.

For more information on the Benefits the Army Reserve has to offer, check out:

http://www.goarmy.com/reserve/nps/index.jsp