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46B Career Guide

Army

46B: Broadcast Journalist

Career transition guide for Army Broadcast Journalist (46B)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 46B veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Public Relations Manager

$120K
High matchHigh demand

Broadcast News Analyst

$85K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

AP StyleJournalism Degree

Social Media Manager

$75K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Digital Marketing CertificationsSEO/SEM

Corporate Communications Specialist

$70K
Good matchHigh demand

Photographer/Videographer

$60K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Advanced editing softwarePortfolio development

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 46B training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

As a 46B, you constantly monitor the media landscape, understanding public perception and anticipating potential impacts on the command's reputation. You have to stay informed about current events and trends to tailor your communication strategies effectively.

This translates to the ability to quickly grasp complex situations, identify key factors, and anticipate potential outcomes in a dynamic environment. You can readily assess the impact of various actions and adjust strategies accordingly.

Resource Optimization

You're responsible for managing audiovisual resources – equipment, personnel, and budget – to maximize the impact of public affairs initiatives. You're skilled at allocating resources efficiently to achieve specific communication goals.

This means you excel at making the most of limited resources, finding creative solutions, and prioritizing tasks to achieve optimal results. You're adept at managing budgets, schedules, and personnel to deliver high-quality outcomes.

Team Synchronization

Whether commanding a detachment or working within a team, you ensure seamless coordination of efforts to produce and disseminate information. You are adept at working with diverse personalities and skillsets.

Your experience in synchronizing team efforts translates directly to coordinating projects and people in civilian settings. You have the ability to motivate team members, manage expectations, and delegate tasks effectively to achieve project goals.

Adversarial Thinking

In public affairs, you must anticipate potential criticisms or negative press and develop proactive communication strategies to mitigate damage and maintain a positive image. This requires thinking like your potential detractors.

This skill makes you adept at identifying potential risks and vulnerabilities, allowing you to develop contingency plans and address challenges proactively. You can anticipate potential problems and find creative solutions to overcome them.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Crisis Communications Manager

SOC 11-2011

As a 46B, you've been trained to anticipate and manage potential communication crises. You possess the skills to develop and implement effective strategies for responding to negative publicity and protecting an organization's reputation. You know how to think on your feet and keep a cool head under pressure.

Market Research Analyst

SOC 19-3022

Your experience in monitoring media and gauging public perception gives you a strong foundation in understanding consumer behavior and market trends. You've been analyzing data and using it to inform communication strategies, skills highly valuable in market research. You know how to interpret information and translate it into actionable insights.

Political Campaign Manager

SOC 11-1021

Your background in public affairs, media relations, and strategic communication makes you well-suited for managing political campaigns. You've been planning and executing communication strategies to influence public opinion, skills directly transferable to the political arena. You understand how to craft messages and mobilize support.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Public Affairs Officer Course, Defense Information School, Fort Meade, MD

320 training hours8 weeksUp to 6 semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • Public Affairs Principles
  • Interview Techniques
  • Writing for Broadcast
  • Radio Production
  • Television Production
  • Media Relations
  • Social Media Management
  • Crisis Communication

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Broadcast Radio Engineer (CBRE)60% covered

In-depth knowledge of FCC regulations, advanced transmitter maintenance, and specific broadcast engineering principles might be needed.

Certified Broadcast Television Engineer (CBTE)60% covered

In-depth knowledge of FCC regulations, advanced transmitter maintenance, and specific television engineering principles might be needed.

Adobe Certified Professional in Video Design70% covered

May need to deepen specific Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects skills, focusing on the latest features and advanced editing/motion graphics techniques.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP)Project Management Professional (PMP)Accredited in Public Relations (APR)

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS)Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), National Public Radio (NPR)
Defense Information Systems Network (DISN)Commercial satellite communication networks (e.g., Intelsat, SES)
Tactical Video RecordersProfessional-grade video cameras (e.g., Sony, Panasonic)
Production Editing Suite (Avid, Adobe)Avid Media Composer, Adobe Premiere Pro
Satellite Communications SystemsSatellite internet providers (e.g., HughesNet, Viasat)
Public Address SystemsCommercial sound reinforcement systems (e.g., Bose, JBL)
Digital Asset Management (DAM) SystemsCloud-based media management platforms (e.g., Brandfolder, Widen)

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