Last Updated on November 16, 2023
This guide provides helpful information for those looking to enlist in the Navy as a Mass Communication Specialist (MC) during the Fiscal Year 2024.
As a Mass Communication Specialist in America’s Navy, your job is to create content that educates and informs the public about Sailors’ achievements. You will travel, document military operations and develop media campaigns. Skills such as photography, journalism, graphic design and videography are required for this role. Individuals with talent, originality and an ability to think differently are best suited for this role.
Job Description
Mass Communication Specialists (MCs) are Navy enlisted Sailors who produce Navy news releases and feature articles from personal interviews and other sources, as well as taking news and feature photographs, creating photo stories with accompanying Visual Information Record Identification Numbers (VIRINS), captions, and historical data.
The Navy Public Affairs mission involves collecting, processing and sharing information through websites, press releases, internal publications, and visuals which can be shared or physically distributed.
MCs are skilled in using high-speed copiers and digital duplicators, as well as having knowledge of imagery, equipment lifecycle management and archival requirements.
They produce Navy information products with desktop publishing systems, including web pages, newspapers and promotional material. They also capture stills and video of Navy and joint operational activities.
MC Sailors create visual documentation of combat, combat-support operations, and related peacetime training activities; assemble material for broadcast use; and work on the staff of Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) detachments.
They manage the internal commands and programming related to Shipboard Information, Training, and Entertainment (SITE) systems.
They manage mechanical and digital reprographic and photographic equipment, performing color management, and overseeing shipboard and Sea Operations (SEAOPS) detachments to support the Navy Public Affairs mission. They may also join combat camera deployable teams and generate speeches using Navy talking points and messages.
MCs fulfill the role of Senior Advisor on public affairs for various Fleet, Numbered Fleet and Type Commander (TYCOM) staffs, aircraft carriers and large-deck amphibious ships. Their goal is to apply guidance and messages from higher public affairs authorities and serve as independent Public Affairs Officers (PAOs) in smaller commands.
As an MC in the Navy, your place of work is varied and can include locations such as on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier, in the field with a combat construction unit, or in a broadcast station at a stateside command.
Working on a ship or in a station involves both physical and mental aspects, with an emphasis on the former. The roles often require working with limited supervision, either individually or as part of a small team.
Specific Responsibilities
- Create print materials and multimedia content, including video, photography, digital graphics, web products, news stories, features articles, blogs and press releases
- Use and care for advanced photography and video equipment
- Gather data, conduct research, and identify target audiences while providing feedbacks to leadership are the tasks at hand
- Investigate communication issues and developing solutions based on research is necessary
- Collaborate with local news media organizations to publish stories and create public relations campaigns
- Provide tours of ships and bases for high-profile individuals and foreign dignitaries
- Assist Public Affairs Officers and work under their supervision
Senior MC Responsibilities
- Offer guidance and help to unit commanders to help with dealing with media interactions and press conferences
- Develop content strategies and crafting data stories
- Communicate with the press on behalf of the command
Different Roles
Communication Director
As a Communications Director, you will oversee news media operations, leadership communication, community outreach, and organizational campaigns. In addition, you will arrange and coordinate Navy communicators for deployments, operations and exercises, as well as managing operational documentation missions. You may also need to collect and analyze quantitative data and report the analysis findings before releasing communication products and information.
Content Developer
Content Developers develop graphics, audio, photographic, video, and written content for distribution in communication channels. They also construct interactive visualizations, animations, linear and non-linear multimedia products, design publications, sketch, storyboard, write speeches, information stories and data stories.
Creative Director
Creative Directors design communication campaigns, leading creative teams, providing feedback on products and services, designing branding constructs and indicators, facilitating ideation sessions, interpreting digital content performance, reporting on communication and visual information plans effectiveness, overseeing the Define – Ideate – Create – Evaluate (DICE) processes, and providing guidance to creative teams.
Production Manager
Production Management supervises Visual Information Center personnel. Their knowledge of Department of Defense and individual services Visual Information functions is both theoretical and practical. They deploy assets, supervise resources, including budgeting, customer relations, ethics and safety. They may manage AFRTS outlets, a radio/television system or a public affairs broadcast operation at any Chief, Senior Chief or Master Chief Petty Officer pay grade.
User Experience Director
User Experience Directors use human-centered design to create communication solutions and make sure communication strategies and tactics match organizational goals. They also perform research, create audience profiles, manage inclusive design programs and the usability of communication delivery systems and channels, and plan unit content strategies.
Training and Promotion Opportunities
After graduating from Recruit Training Command Great Lakes (Navy Boot Camp), you will go to Fort George G. Meade, MD for ‘A’ School.
This is where you will gain the foundational skills in photography, digital imaging, videography, photojournalism, news writing, public affairs, layout, and design to prepare for your first assignment.
Advanced Training
As an MC, you may be eligible for advanced training in:
- Digital Multimedia
- Intermediate Motion Media
- Intermediate Public Affairs
- Intermediate Photojournalism
Enlisted personnel apply for promotion, where eligibility is based on performance. Those who possess a four-year degree may also be eligible to be a Public Affairs Officer.
Post-Service Opportunities
As a Mass Communication Specialist, you will gain knowledge in the media field that may lead to further opportunities.
- Photography and videography (including aerial and underwater)
- Writing
- Graphic design and layout
- Social media and web content
- Broadcasting (TV, radio and online)
- Animation and interactive multimedia
- Operating and maintaining audiovisual and printing equipment
- Coordinating with and escorting media
- Research (surveys and data collection)
Skills gained in this field may apply to various communications jobs, such as photography, photojournalism, reporting, camera operation, graphic design, multimedia artistry, animation.
Qualifications to Join
To become a Mass Communication Specialist, applicants must possess a high school diploma or equivalent and show normal color perception and vision correctable to 20/20. For those interested in a career as an MC, strong writing and speaking skills are desirable, as well as the ability to learn about people and new ideas, be detail-minded and creative.
Mass Communication Specialists should have excellent writing and speaking skills, creativity, curiosity and an interest in people, ideas and information. Other important attributes include an excellent memory, maturity, and appearance. They must be able to do detailed work and remember records accurately, possess manual dexterity and work well in teams.
The MC rating has a 60-month service obligation. The required qualifications for military service may depend on whether the individual is currently serving, has served previously or has no military experience.
ASVAB Requirement
Applicants must score the minimum ASVAB score below to qualify to join the Navy as a Mass Communication Specialist.
- VE + AR = 115
The enlistment qualification requirements above are current as of Fiscal Year 2024, per the Navy Personnel Command. This information is not readily available to the public. So, contact your local Navy Enlisted Recruiter for the most current requirements to join the Navy as an enlisted Sailor.
More Information
If you wish to learn more about becoming a Mass Communication Specialist (MC), contact your local Navy Enlisted Recruiter. They will provide you with more detailed information you’re unlikely to find online.
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