Public Affairs

You are training to be a Broadcasting Specialist — the Air Force journalist who produces radio, television, and multimedia content for military audiences. You operate internal radio and television stations on Air Force installations, produce content for American Forces Network (AFN), and support public affairs with broadcast media production.

Complete 3N0X5 initial skills training. Learn broadcast journalism fundamentals — writing for broadcast, radio production, television production, video editing, and the technical operation of broadcast equipment. Study American Forces Network standards and the requirements for producing content for AFN distribution. Learn radio studio operation — board operation, production software, announcing techniques, and live program production. Study television production — camera operation, lighting, editing, studio production, and field production techniques. Understand how broadcast media supports the Air Force information environment and the chain of command review process for military broadcast content.

• 01Broadcast writing (radio and television), radio studio operation, television production, video editing, AFN standards, broadcast equipment operation, live program production, camera operation, lighting fundamentals

• —AFI 35-101 (Public Affairs Responsibilities and Management), AFI 35-102 (Congressional, Executive, and Judicial Correspondence), applicable AFN broadcast standards, unit broadcast section operating instructions

• —Pass 3N0X5 initial training; broadcast writing fundamentals demonstrated; radio studio operation demonstrated; television production procedures understood; video editing basics demonstrated; AFN standards understood; initial certifications completed

• —Broadcasting content that hasn't been reviewed through the proper command release process — military broadcast content that reflects command positions on policy matters requires appropriate review before air, and broadcasting unreviewed content can create significant public affairs problems.

An apprentice who studies the AFN content library to understand what broadcast quality looks like at the professional level — rather than just learning to meet the minimum standard, studying what distinguishes excellent military broadcast content from adequate content.

You are a qualified Broadcasting Specialist producing radio and television content for American Forces Network and installation broadcast channels.

Produce radio and television content for AFN and installation audiences. Operate radio studios — conduct live programs, produce recorded segments, manage music scheduling, and operate the broadcast board. Produce television content — shoot video in the field, conduct interviews, write scripts, edit video packages, and produce studio programs. Operate broadcast engineering equipment — transmitters, satellite receive systems, and broadcast plant equipment. Support command information programs with multimedia content. Contribute to AFN network programming. Develop qualifications across the full range of broadcast production skills.

• 01Live radio operation, recorded radio production, television field production, video editing, broadcast engineering operation, script writing, interview techniques, AFN network content, command information multimedia

• —AFI 35-101, AFI 35-102, applicable AFN production standards, Broadcasting Board of Governors guidance for American Forces Network, unit broadcast section instructions

• —Radio programming meeting AFN standards; television content meeting production quality standards; broadcast equipment operated correctly; command information requests fulfilled; AFN content submissions meeting network standards; documentation complete

• —Producing content based on the technical quality of the output without attending to the accuracy of the underlying information — a technically polished broadcast that contains incorrect information or unauthorized command positions damages command credibility.

A SrA who builds a portfolio of production work — keeping a collection of the best examples of radio segments, television packages, and multimedia content they've produced, and using it to honestly assess where their production skills need further development.

You are a senior Broadcasting Specialist developing advanced production expertise and training the broadcast journalists on your installation.

Lead broadcast production projects and develop toward the broadcast section NCOIC role. Train junior Broadcasting Specialists on production techniques, broadcast writing, and technical operation. Evaluate trainee content quality. Produce advanced multimedia content — long-form documentaries, live event coverage, and complex video productions. Lead broadcast engineering responsibilities. Interface with AFN on network content and scheduling. Manage the installation broadcast schedule. Support public affairs with broadcast media for major command events.

• 01Advanced video production, broadcast section leadership, junior journalist training, long-form documentary production, live event coverage, broadcast engineering, AFN network coordination, installation broadcast schedule management

• —AFI 35-101, applicable AFN standards and production guides, DoD visual information publications, unit broadcast section operating instructions

• —Advanced productions meeting professional quality standards; junior specialists trained and improving; AFN network coordination effective; broadcast schedule managed; engineering responsibilities maintained; public affairs support effective; team lead qualifications developing

• —Allowing broadcast content to be produced and aired without a second editorial review — even experienced broadcast journalists benefit from having another set of eyes on content before it airs, because errors in broadcast content are public and immediate.

An SSgt who establishes a content quality review process for the broadcast section — ensuring that every piece of content gets a pre-air review for accuracy, compliance with command release procedures, and technical quality before it goes out.

You are the Broadcast section NCOIC, responsible for the installation's radio and television broadcast programs and the broadcast journalists who produce them.

Serve as the broadcast section NCOIC. Own the installation broadcast program — radio station operations, television production, AFN coordination, and broadcast engineering. Brief the Public Affairs Officer on broadcast program health, AFN performance, and any broadcast issues requiring leadership attention. Coordinate with AFN network operations on programming. Manage the section's broadcast equipment and technical infrastructure. Support the wing's command information program with broadcast media. Lead the section through AFN performance assessments.

• 01Broadcast section NCOIC duties, installation radio and TV program management, AFN coordination, broadcast engineering management, Public Affairs Officer advisory, command information support, AFN performance assessment preparation

• —AFI 35-101, applicable AFN network operations guidance, DoD visual information publications, applicable Broadcasting Board of Governors guidance, unit broadcast section operating instructions

• —Installation broadcast program meeting AFN and AF standards; radio and TV programming quality meeting standards; engineering infrastructure maintained; AFN coordination effective; Public Affairs advisory accurate; command information support effective

• —Allowing broadcast engineering infrastructure to degrade without escalating the impact to leadership — a radio station or television studio that's operating on failing equipment may continue functioning until it doesn't, and the outage during a critical command information event is avoidable with proper infrastructure maintenance.

A TSgt who tracks AFN audience metrics for the installation — understanding which programs are reaching the intended audience and using the data to refine the installation's programming strategy rather than simply producing content without knowing whether anyone is listening or watching.

You are the senior Broadcasting NCO, advising commanders on installation broadcast program health and the broadcast journalism workforce.

Serve as the Public Affairs Squadron broadcast superintendent. Advise the Public Affairs Officer and squadron commander on broadcast program health, AFN performance, and broadcast media support for command information. Interface with AFN network operations on installation performance. Manage complex personnel actions. Contribute to Air Force broadcast policy. As 1stSgt, own the welfare and discipline of the broadcast journalism formation.

• 01Squadron broadcast oversight, AFN network engagement, Public Affairs advisory, broadcast program quality oversight, command information broadcast support, complex personnel management, senior enlisted advisory

• —AFI 35-101, AFN network operations guidance, applicable Broadcasting Board of Governors guidance, Air Staff PA publications

• —Installation broadcast program meeting AFN and AF standards; AFN network relationships productive; Public Affairs advisory accurate; command information supported; personnel actions appropriate

• —Allowing the installation broadcast section to operate in isolation from the broader public affairs mission — broadcast content that doesn't support the wing's command information priorities is producing content for its own sake rather than serving the mission.

An MSgt who integrates the broadcast section's production calendar with the wing's command information priorities — ensuring that broadcast content production is aligned with what the wing actually needs rather than what's easiest to produce.

You are the most senior Broadcasting enlisted leader, shaping Air Force broadcast standards and the military broadcast journalism workforce.

Serve as the Air Staff or AFN senior enlisted advisor for broadcast journalism. Shape training standards and the pipeline producing Air Force Broadcasting Specialists. Advise four-star commanders and Air Staff leadership on military broadcast capability, AFN network health, and the broadcast journalism workforce. Interface with Air Staff PA, AFN, and DoD visual information leadership. Contribute to military broadcast policy and doctrine.

• 01Career field functional management, AFN and Air Staff PA engagement, DoD visual information leadership engagement, enterprise military broadcast advisory, broadcast journalism doctrine, four-star advisory, pipeline oversight

• —AFI 35-series publications, AFN network operations guidance, Broadcasting Board of Governors guidance, DoD visual information publications, applicable Air Staff PA policy

• —Career field producing qualified broadcast journalists; AFN network performing to standards; military broadcast capability meeting command information requirements; doctrine current; four-star advisory accurate; DoD visual information community relationships productive

• —Allowing military broadcast capability to become irrelevant by failing to modernize for the digital and social media environment — audiences have shifted to digital platforms and the military broadcast program that remains exclusively on traditional broadcast frequencies is reaching an increasingly small percentage of the target audience.

A CMSgt who has developed a military broadcast modernization roadmap — connecting changes in how military audiences consume media to specific capability investments in digital distribution, streaming, and social media that extend the reach of AFN and installation broadcast programs.