Job Description

You could travel to Spain, Italy, Singapore, Australia, Japan, or Hawaii, seeing and experiencing life in an environment where your creativity and artistic talent can thrive. Your interest in photography, writing, illustration or design can be employed from many sides of the camera, in a variety of mediums. As a Navy Mass Communication Specialist (MC), you’ll use your artistic talents to help educate the mass public and document interesting people, exciting places and important events. You may cover training missions or news conferences, using state-of-the-art photography equipment. You may even design a high-profile presentation for the Pentagon.

As an Enlisted public affairs and visual information expert, you can expect to:

• Record and edit still and video photography of military operations and exercises and other Navy events
• Write, edit and produce print and broadcast journalism news and feature stories for military and civilian newspapers, magazines, and television and radio broadcast stations
• Create graphic designs in support of the public affairs mission, design and manage official Web sites, and perform high-speed high-volume graphic reproduction

Here, your work is challenging. Your subjects engaging. And your audience: the world at large.

Specific Responsibilities

Taking press photos of the most cutting-edge submarines on earth. Profiling the Chief of Naval Personnel. Showcasing the Navy rebuilding efforts that come in the aftermath of global disasters. The job will make the most of your versatility.
And additional duties may involve the opportunity to:

• Serve as one of the Navy’s professional photographers
• Operate and maintain premier, state-of-the-art photography and video equipment
• Cover troops in the field as a Combat Cameraman
• Photograph events for publication and historic documentation
• Assist Public Affairs officers in preparing for media briefings
• Manage radio and television stations

Work Environment

Imagine a studio with a view of the Oahu coastline or a day off exploring the city of Hong Kong. Your inspiring environment contains the ultimate blend of high technology and breathtaking natural landscapes, and your workplace might be on board aircraft carrier flight decks, in the field with combat construction units or in air-conditioned broadcast stations. You may serve overseas, on ships, and at stateside commands as a photographer, public affairs specialist, newspaper and magazine staff, or TV and radio station staff and talent. Shore assignments are normally at public affairs offices. Most work is independent or with small teams, typically with little supervision.

Training and Advancement

For those showing the right level of talent and motivation, the Arts & Photography specialty offers many opportunities to receive additional training as well as career mentoring.

Education Opportunities

Most training in this field translates directly to college credits toward a liberal arts degree at most colleges and universities. Advanced technical and operational training may be available for selected disciplines in this field. This is a fantastic opportunity to fine-tune your talents while getting local, national and international exposure.

After the Navy

Advanced career opportunities are as limitless as the oceanscapes you see and photograph. Whether your talents lead you to becoming a photographer, journalist, or illustrator, the skills you acquire in the Navy will be respected and sought after in both civilian and military organizations, including civilian careers like these:

• Writer or reporter
• Photographer or photojournalist
• Motion camera operator
• Film editor
• Offset press operator
• Illustrator, designer or art director