For those who aspire to be first-hand historians and value informed citizens, a career in journalism may be the most personally fulfilling option. You must be genuinely passionate about the work of telling true stories because it is a competitive field, requires long hours, and is unlikely to make you wealthy.
It’s crucial to consider your desired outcome and make a plan for how to get there. Perhaps that entails enrolling in Columbia Journalism School, completing an internship at Fox, and working as a freelance journalist from East Africa for a year. There are lots of ways to be a journalist. Utilize the connections you have with journalists who have served in the military or other mentors to help you determine your own course of action.
Finding a journalist whose work you admire and getting in touch with them is one of the best ways to carve out your own path. On occasion, you can locate their email addresses online, or individuals in your expanding network may provide advice on how to politely get in touch with them. Nearly all journalism jobs require you to learn how to contact people, and speaking with someone who has already achieved your goal can be incredibly helpful as you figure out how to do it yourself.
You can become a military journalist in a variety of ways; the most common path is to join a
once you have completed your high school education, and then undergo specific training while enlisted to become a military journalist.
What does a military journalist do?
Military journalists carry out a variety of tasks depending on which military branch they work for. Some gather, produce, and disseminate information about military personnel through articles, photographs, videos, or online content. Others work on television or radio productions as writers, reporters, or videographers.
According to their military operational specialty (MOS), military journalists have a variety of duties, but some of the general ones are as follows:
What is a military journalist?
A military journalist is a professional who broadcasts news for various military and public publications. They may be enlisted soldiers or regular citizens. They prepare and publish content pertaining to public affairs and community relations through platforms like video and web distribution. These professionals frequently train for additional military duties if they join a military branch. If employed as a civilian, their expertise stems from having the necessary degrees or prior experience in journalism.
How to become a military journalist
The following are the steps you can take, whether you join the military directly or are hired as a civilian, to become a journalist there:
1. Conduct initial research
Depending on the branch of the military you want to join, there are a variety of military journalist jobs available. Before deciding which career path you want to pursue, think about researching the various jobs that are available based on your skills and interests. The military branches and jobs for military journalists are listed below:
2. Complete education
There are two paths to becoming a military journalist. The most popular method is to join the military. Even though it’s less common, military journalists can apply for civilian jobs, allowing them to work for the military as civilians while carrying out their duties. Both paths typically require a high school diploma.
You can take the military aptitude test if you choose to enlist in the military. You must succeed on the test and meet with a recruiter for the military branch you want to join. A recruiter prefers candidates for civilian jobs to have a bachelor’s degree in journalism or a related field, and it’s advantageous to have prior experience working in journalism. Early in your career, think about choosing a path to help you decide what level of education is best for your goals.
3. Complete training
The first step in your career as a military journalist if you decide to enlist in the military is to complete basic combat training, which lasts about 10 weeks. Basic training, which is divided into three phases, imparts the fundamentals of soldiering, such as the branch’s core values, discipline, survival skills, physical training, weaponry instruction, and teamwork.
After completing basic training, you then complete advanced individual training. Depending on the specific career you are training for, the length of the program varies, but it usually lasts 8 to 16 weeks. After completing the program, you can anticipate practical firsthand experience learning techniques that will help you successfully conduct all aspects of your job. You could study public speaking, media relations, writing news copy for radio or television, interviewing techniques, and how to use a variety of camera and production equipment, among other general skills.
4. Gain experience
You are prepared to begin your career in your particular military occupational specialty (MOS) in military journalism after completing both basic training and advanced individual training. From here, you gain experience while working on the job. After gaining sufficient experience, one may find other employment opportunities both inside and outside of the military, such as working as a public affairs officer, reporter, or correspondent.
Work environment
Depending on the military station or location of the professional, a military journalist’s workplace may differ. When covering combat zones, military journalists occasionally work close to potentially dangerous physical conflicts. You can use fundamental tactical training to help you stay safe if you work in these areas. In offices or stations outside of these zones, many military journalists are employed. Depending on where you are stationed and your military occupational specialty, your work environment may look differently.
Important skills for military journalists
Military journalists use a variety of hard and soft skills while at work. Some of these skills include:
Interpersonal skills
Daily interaction with others is crucial to your job. Military journalists gain from having charisma and the ability to effectively interact with others, whether they are discussing a project’s component with other team members or interviewing personnel for content for an upcoming piece.
Technical skills
You acquire various technical skills depending on your military occupational specialty (MOS) in order to perform your duties effectively. Understanding fundamental coding concepts like HTML can help you create content more effectively, which can be useful in a variety of roles. Additionally, it might give you an advantage when interacting with programmers and other content producers.
Writing skills
The ability to write quickly, clearly, and accurately is one of the written skills required for military journalists. Knowing shorthand writing can make taking notes during interviews and research faster and more effective. Additionally, since these are abilities you use in the majority of your work—including writing and editing articles and news content—understanding proper grammar mechanics and word fluidity is crucial.
Communication skills
Communication skills are different from interpersonal skills in that they place more emphasis on your ability to clearly convey ideas or instructions to others. Military journalists collaborate with those in related professions, such as editors, communicators, and public affairs personnel. Because of this, it’s critical that journalists have strong communication skills and ask insightful questions.
How Being a War Reporter Got Me Kidnapped…Twice
FAQ
How much do military journalists make?
Average U. S. Army Journalist yearly pay in the United States is approximately $42,807, which is 10% above the national average
How do I become a war journalist?
Going to college to become a journalist is one traditional route to becoming a war correspondent. Most journalists hold undergraduate degrees in journalism or communications, and some choose to further their education by enrolling in a journalism school for a master’s degree.
What is a military journalist called?
Military journalists, also referred to as communications or public affairs specialists, disseminate information via internal broadcasts, print media, and other media. In order to prepare military personnel for public events like press conferences, military journalists may collaborate with them.
Does the army have journalists?
Public Affairs, as described by JP 1-02, is comprised of “those public information, command information, and community relations activities directed toward both the external and internal publics with interest in the Department of Defense.” Military journalists fall under this category. “.
