Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 7/30/2009

Question
QUESTION: I am currently 23 years old. I have an Associates Degree in Broadcast Communications. I have a full time job and the money is ok but I am bored out of my mind. Also, with my current student loan debt, I can't afford to go back to school for my Bachelors degree. I planned to enlist in the Navy after high school but never did. I am considering going in now. I am still in excellent physical shape but I cannot decide which direction to take. I have been told that is is near impossible to commission as a Public Affairs Officer because it has become so competitive. Should I go into the Reserve as enlisted where I stand more of a chance getting a job as a Mass Communication Specialist with my experience and current degree and then work toward my Bachelors Degree? or should I go ROTC and hope to commission as a POA? (Also, I am a little afraid of the math requirements I'll face if I decide on ROTC) I have found recruiters to be useless in helping me make a decision. I am looking for blatant and honest answers.



ANSWER: Melanie,
That's why I'm here, to give you the blatant and honest answers.

Are you currently working in your desired field?  You didn't say.  Because if you are and are bored now, what makes you think a Navy PAO would be less boring?  However, if you're currently working at the local Burger Barn I can see your point.

You have your age and good physical condition in your favor.  This makes you competitive as a PA specialist in any Branch of the Service.  Any particular reason you chose Navy?  Anyway, what you've heard about the PA field being difficult to enter in not true.  I've found that good-intentioned friends usually offer the worst advice.

Forget about the Reserves.  Almost everybody who joins the Reserves is trying to figure out how to transition to active-duty.  (Basically, it can't be done.)  Plus you still have to find a good civilian job as your primary job.

Do NOT waste your time and money going to ROTC now (unless you have a full scholarship).  Since you already have an Associate Degree you'll be far ahead of your peers.  Your best best is to enlist now and enter the PA career field.  You can then take your time and take college classes at your leisure and earn your Bachelor's Degree.  After receiving your Bachelor's you can then apply for OCS and be commissioned.  Because you will already have been working in the PA field for a couple of years, you'll be a shoe-in for entry as a PAO.  The Navy even has something called the "Enlisted Commissioning Program" for enlisted personnel, who have previous college credit, and gives them a full-time opportunity to complete requirements for a Bachelor's Degree and earn a commission.  The requirements are: - Have at least four years time in service.
and - Be less than 31 by the time of commissioning.  YOU will easily meet those requirements.

Additionally, In the Navy "News and Media Specialty", you'll have an opportunity for continued education through various college and tuition assistance programs.  Much of the training received in this field will translate toward semester credit hours for a vocational certificate, as well as a bachelor’s or associate’s degree.  Advanced technical training may be available toward the later stages of your career development.  So, just by working in that speciality you can receive college credits.

In case you didn't already know, the Navy "News and Media Specialty" for enlisted personnel includes the following jobs:
Photographer
Photojournalist
TV Camera Operator
Film Editor
Reporter
Magazine Editor
Newspaper Editor
Speech Writer
Screenwriter
Producer (radio and TV)
Announcer (radio and TV)
Production Manager
Web Content Manager
Audiovisual Repair Technician
Recording Engineer (radio and TV)
Art Director
PR Specialist

So, not only will a job in the Navy now help you pay off your student loan debt quickly, they will also pay for your continued education while you're getting a steady paycheck.  In this day and age that's hard to beat.

If, for some reason, you don't get good results with the Navy, you may consider the Air Force.  They have the next best PA program in the military.  My wife thinks it's THE best, but then she's biased.  She's Civil Service and worked in the Air Force Public Affairs Office during one of my assignments.  She just liked riding in the back of fighter jets while getting news stories, but you could possibly be doing the same in the Navy.

I hope this helps some.  Sorry for the delay in answering but my computer has been in the shop for repairs.

Thanks for wanting to serve in uniform.
Colonel H

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for all of the info.  You have been a huge help.  Currently, I am working for a local Non Profit arts organization.  I do enjoy my job to a degree, but it is a little less exciting than my previous jobs as a DJ.  I would like to go back to doing that full time, but the money is not very good.  I think the Navy Reserve would provide me with the opportunity to make a little bit of extra money so I can return to the radio station.  Also, it will give me a chance to continue in the field I love while experiencing it in a different situation. I understand that there is a risk of deployment during my career but I don't think active duty is an option for me right now.

Answer
Melanie,
Good thinking.  Then it sounds like you may very well be a good candidate for the Reserves.  Deployments are getting fewer and shorter except for the Navy.  In the PA field you're almost guaranteed to take a few cruises.

Most people I deal with here do not have any kind of civilian job, that's why I seldom recommend the Reserves.

Best wishes,
Colonel H