4502 - Communication Strategy and Operations Officer

Summary

The Communication Strategy and Operations (COMMSTRAT) officer holds the primary responsibility for communication engagement with all internal and external publics and audiences on behalf of the commander and for the execution of all plans and activities within the functions of Combat Camera (COMCAM) and Public Affairs (PA).

The COMMSTRAT officer is the principal advisor to commanders and staffs on communication and visual information matters at all levels and supports all operational planning.

Typical duties include, but are not limited to: developing and synchronizing communication plans; monitoring and assessing the communication aspects of the information environment, to include misinformation/disinformation; identifying audiences, publics and stakeholders; identifying communication issues, risks and opportunities that may affect operations or institutional/command reputation; conducting crisis communication; leading COMCAM and PA missions; developing annexes and appendices to operation plans; engaging with internal, domestic and international publics via traditional news media, social and/or emerging media, and face-to-face communication, to include community and key leader engagement; supervising review and release procedures; directing the development of written and visual information products; conducting communication training to assigned and supporting forces, to include media literacy and social media best practices; serving as the Command Printing Officer; and providing support to recruiting operations.

Prerequisites

Security requirement: must possess a secret security clearance and meet sensitive compartmented information (SCI) eligibility guidelines based on a single scope background investigation/T5 investigation.

Requirements

Successfully complete the Public Affairs Communication Strategy Qualification Course (A18DCA2) at the Defense Information School (DINFOS), Ft Meade, MD.

Skill progression courses/training: 2ndLt to LtCol: Visual Information Management (VIM) Course (A18M6N2) resident, at DINFOS, Ft Meade, MD.

2ndLt to LtCol: Joint Contingency Public Affairs Course (JCPAC) (A18DC42), at DINFOS, Ft Meade, MD.

1stLt to LtCol: Joint Intermediate Public Affairs Course (JIPAC) (A18DC32), at DINFOS, Ft Meade, MD (Career Designated).

The Marine Corps selects competitive COMMSTRAT Officers through the graduate education program (GEP) to attend San Diego State University to attain a master’s degree in mass communication and media studies in order to receive the additional MOS 4505 (COMMSTRAT Planner).

Skill enhancement courses/training for COMMSTRAT Officers in the Fleet Marine Force and Marine Corps Component Commands: 2ndLt to Capt: Intermediate MAGTF Information Operations Practitioners Course (IMIOPC) (N03F2G1) at Expeditionary Warfare Training Group-Atlantic (EWTGLANT), Norfolk, VA.

2ndLt to Capt: Civil Affairs Officer (AMOS 0530) Course (M020A3D) at Marine Corps Civil Military Operations School (MCCMOS), Quantico, VA.

Maj to LtCol: Advanced MAGTF Information Operations Planner Course (AMIOPC) (N03HE51), at EWTGLANT, Norfolk, VA.

POI CID

A18DCA2

Duties

For a complete listing of duties and tasks, refer to the Communication Strategy and Operations Training and Readiness Manual (NAVMC 3500.9C).

General and Operations Managers 11-1021.

Marketing Managers 11-2021.

Public Relations Managers 11-2032.

Project Management Specialists 13-1082.

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists 13-1161.

Producers and Directors 27-2012.

News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists 27-3023.

Editors 27-3041.

Writers and Authors 27-3043.

Media and Communication Workers, All Other 27-3099.

Film and Video Editors 27-4032.

Basic Information Staff Officer, 0510.

Psychological Operations Officer, 0520.

Civil Affairs Officer, 0530.

Civil-Military Operations Planner, 0535.

Advanced Information Operations Planner, 0550.

Combat Camera Officer, 4602.

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