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Military Career: Broadcast Journalists and Newswriters

 

Overview

Television and film productions are an important part of military communications. Films are used for training in many military activities. The military publishes newspapers and broadcasts television and radio programs for its personnel and the public. These services are an important source of general information about people and events in the military. Broadcast journalists and newswriters write and present news programs, music programs, and radio talk shows.

What They Do

Broadcast journalists and newswriters in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Gather information for military news programs and publications
  • Write radio and TV scripts
  • Develop ideas for news articles
  • Arrange and conduct interviews
  • Collect information for commercial media use
  • Select photographs and write captions for news articles
  • Write news releases, feature articles, and editorials

Branches of the Military

Army
Navy
Air Force
Marine Corps
Coast Guard

Helpful Attributes

Helpful school subjects include English, journalism, speech, and media communications. Helpful attributes include:

  • Ability to keep detailed and accurate records
  • Ability to write clearly and concisely
  • Interest in researching facts and issues for news stories
  • Strong, clear speaking voice

Training Provided

Job training consists of 9 to 12 weeks of classroom instruction. Course content typically includes:

  • Newswriting and research
  • Newspaper format and layout
  • Photojournalism (writing news stories featuring pictures)
  • Radio and television programming and production

Physical Demands

Normal color vision and the passing of a voice audition are required for some specialties in this area.

Work Environment

Broadcast journalists and newswriters work in broadcasting studios on land or aboard ships, or sometimes outdoors, depending upon the research needed for their articles.

Civilian Counterparts

Broadcast journalists and newswriters work for newspapers, magazines, wire services, and radio and television stations. Their duties are similar to those performed by military journalists and newswriters. They may be employed as newscasters, disc jockeys, writers, directors, producers, or correspondents.

Below is a list of similar civilian occupations:

News Reporters
Technical Writers
Writers

Opportunities

The military has about 2,000 broadcast journalists and newswriters. Each year, the services need new journalists and newswriters due to changes in personnel and the demands of the field. After job training, they research and announce news stories and music programs. Eventually, they may become editors or editorial assistants or managers of broadcasting stations.


Source: U.S. Department of Defense, Washington D.C.