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Apply for Active Duty Public Affairs Officer OCS
This page is specifically for Public Affairs Officer OCS applications.  For contact information and requirements on all OCS programs please visit the Commissioning Programs page.
This note solicits applications for Officer Candidate School (OCS), leading to a commission as an active duty Ensign, designator 1650 Special Duty (Public Affairs). 
Active and reserve enlisted personnel and civilians who meet eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply. A complete list of eligibility requirements is available in the OCM/PA October 2024.
We select active duty enlisted and civilian applicants whose liberal arts degrees and superior performance indicates they are the best qualified. The PAO Community conducts administrative professional review boards normally in March and October.  See the current Board Schedule linked in the right hand side of the Commissioning Programs page for more details.

Commissioning Programs

 
REQUIREMENTS:
Interviews: **As per CHINFOINST 3516.1, all interview appraisals are now conducted through quarterly interview panels scheduled quarterly throughout the year.  The panel will complete all three required interviews in one 30 minute time slot. Call the PAO OCM at 901-874-3098 or by bupers-31-pao@us.navy.mil to be scheduled for the next available panel. Individual appraisals outside of the panel are no longer accepted.

Degree: Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree or higher from an accredited college or university, preferably in the areas of communication, public relations, public information, journalism, advertising, marketing, English, Political Science and International studies. Social Sciences and liberal arts degrees not listed in the preferred list are also accepted.  Minimum baccalaureate degree is 2.8 UNLESS applicant has a Masters GPA of 3.0 or greater.      

Age: Applicants must be at least 19 years old and not have passed their 37th birthday at the time of commissioning. No waivers are available beyond age 37.
 
Time in Service:  no more than 8 years of total active service on the application deadline. Waivers may be requested between 8-10 years of total active service.
 
OAR:  Minimum of 40. Between 37 and 39 may request waivers if the candidate has a cumulative GPA of 3.0

Selectees will enter a 13-week OCS class at Newport, RI. Upon successful course completion, officers will receive an active-duty commission and receive PCS orders to their first Public Affairs assignment via Defense Information School (DINFOS) to attend the Public Affairs Qualification Course (PAQC).
  
Public Affairs Officer Community Manager
(COMM) 901-874-3098   (DSN) 882-3098

CHINFO Liaison      
(COMM) 901-874-4023    (DSN) 882-4023
 

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