Achieve Your Career Goals in Communications

The Army Reserve is a positive return on investment for America. Community-based and federally directed, the Army Reserve provides our Nation with trained Soldiers who complement both the Army and civilian Employer workforce. The Army Reserve is unique because the military training Soldiers receive is not combat-specific, but rather supports the overall Army mission. This results in skills that are easily transferrable to the civilian world. Because of this role, more than 60% of Army Reserve Military Occupation Specialties (MOSs) have direct civilian equivalent positions. The public affairs military career field translates directly into the mass media, journalism, broadcasting, marketing, advertising and public relations industries.

Our Soldiers are highly skilled, full-time patriots shared between the Army Reserve and civilian Employers. The communications skills Soldiers gain in the military give them a competitive edge in the job market, while Employers have access to experienced communications professionals who are continually enhancing their skills through training, professional development, and hands-on experience.

The Army Reserve is a reservoir of talented communicators, with Soldiers holding careers as professionals in public affairs, advertising and marketing, as well as photographers, broadcast journalists, sound technicians, and film editors, among others.

Communications is a dynamic career field, both in the military and in the corporate world. The demand for communications professionals within the Army is high with the field projected to grow in the private sector over the next several years. From 2006-2016, the demand for marketing managers is expected to increase more than 14%; PR managers nearly 17%; audio and video equipment technicians more than 24%; broadcast and sound engineer technicians and radio operators more than 14%, and technical writers 20% (1).

Army Reserve Soldiers have played a vital role in every American military and humanitarian mission of the past 100 years. Today, more than 206,000 trained Army Reserve Soldiers in units across the country stand ready to serve the Nation when called upon by the President of the United States. The quality of our force has never been higher. Our Soldiers are one of the best returns on investment American citizens make for the security and freedoms they enjoy.

U.S. Army Reserve Employer Partnership

The Employer Partnership is a bold and innovative program that enables the Army Reserve and Employers across America to jointly attract, develop and retain talent. The Army Reserve is collaborating with business and government leaders to develop staffing solutions to meet America’s industry demands, tackle the issue of workforce preparedness, and reinvigorate America’s human talent to remain competitive in the global economy. Mutually advantageous, the Employer Partnership facilitates job opportunities for Soldiers and gives Employers and the Army Reserve a highly capable Soldier-Employee who is trained, knowledgeable and experienced, and who contributes to both a robust national economy and to the defense of our Nation. Together, the Army Reserve and Employers are working to enhance the skills and career opportunities for Soldiers and to keep our Nation strong – militarily and economically.

Army Reserve Communications Experience
--Army Reserve Soldiers gain extensive real world experience in every aspect of communications and public affairs. Soldiers use their communications skills to promote Army Reserve activities at home and overseas via print, broadcast and online media. They facilitate media interviews; coordinate community events; create online publications with desktop publishing software; conduct media training; research, prepare and disseminate information through news releases, radio and TV products; create podcasts and multi-media products; credential and escort members of the press; and create and post content for social media sites.
--When not in uniform, Army Reserve communications professionals use their tangible skills in a wide array of corporate and non-profit careers including advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations, event management, radio and TV production and announcing, reporting, writing, editing, broadcast and sound engineering technician, photography, media relations, video camera operation, editing and desktop publishing.
--The hands-on experience and training gained in the Army Reserve provides Soldiers with invaluable learning opportunities, giving Soldiers a competitive edge in the civilian job market.
--The Army Reserve contributes to the Army’s total force by providing about one-third of all communications and public affairs expertise.

Business Incentives for Employer Partners
--No-cost link to the dynamic Army Reserve workforce.
--Potential to reduce recruiting costs. Army Reserve Soldiers undergo a thorough screening process which includes medical evaluation, aptitude testing, background checks and drug screening.
--Potential to trim training costs. Army Reserve Soldiers receive rigorous training at military schools before they are awarded their military occupational specialty, which translates into the skills Employers need.
--Employers benefit from the additional training, professional development and hands-on experience that Soldiers bring to the civilian workplace.
--Personal involvement from Army Reserve senior leaders who will work with business executives to tailor a partnership that meets company staffing goals.

(1) Source: US Department of Labor, 2006-2016 Occupational Employment Projections, National Employment Matrix