Overview

Civil affairs officers act as a liaison between the Army and civilian authorities and populations.

The civil affairs officer combines regional expertise, language competency, political-military awareness, cross-cultural communication and professional military skills to conduct civil affairs operations and support civil-military operations in support of conventional and special operations forces.

Job Duties

• Commanding and controlling operations and combined armed forces during combat and peacetime
  
• Coordinate employment of civil affairs Soldiers at all levels of command in U.S. and multinational operations
  

Requirements

Those who want to serve must first take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, a series of tests that helps you better understand your strengths and identify which Army jobs are best for you.

Training

Job training for a civil affairs officer requires completion of a Civil Affairs Officer Qualification Course; where you’ll learn about leader responsibilities, mission types, CA tactics and other critical information that leads to success in the first unit of assignment.

Training will also include classroom instruction combined with scenario-based practical exercises and a command-post exercise. Qualification is completed with a situational-driven field-training exercise.

Select officers will also receive language training and attend a course of study focusing on a specific geographic region.

Helpful Skills

• Self-discipline
  
• Physically fit
  
• Perform under physical and mental pressures
  
• Make decisions quickly and on your own

Learn more about the ASVAB and see what jobs you could qualify for.

Compensation

Total compensation includes housing, medical, food, special pay, and vacation time. Learn more about total compensation.

Education Benefits

In the Army, qualified students can earn full-tuition, merit-based scholarships, allowances for books and fees, plus an annual stipend for living expenses. Learn more about education benefits.

Future Civilian Careers

The skills you learn will help prepare you for a career with the U.S. State Department, relief organizations, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Homeland Defense and public administration.

You’ll also be qualified to pursue a career as a senior executive, public administrator, project manager or research analyst.