Service Branches
Work Environment
International and civil affairs officers work mainly in offices of U.S. embassies and missions located overseas.
-
Military Status
Officer
-
Median Military Salary This is the median, or the midpoint, of the salary range for this career.
$108,313
Military Salary Range Salary varies based on years of service, degree level, special pays, family status and location.
$32,012 - $386,094
Overview
International and civil affairs officers have extensive in-country experience in a designated region. They build effective relationships with governments, militaries, and locals and they support a variety of international engagement activities, from humanitarian relief to intelligence collection. They serve as primary advisors to government agencies across service branches on all stages of operations planning because of their regional and cultural expertise.
Military Training
Officers typically enter the Military after they have completed a four-year college degree; enlisted service members can transition to officer positions through a variety of pathways and earn a degree while serving. Job training for international and civil affairs officers primarily consists of classroom instruction and on-the-job learning in various training environments. Like other officers, they complete a comprehensive training program covering responsibilities, military structure and etiquette, traditions, and leadership development. Job-specific training content may include:
- Political and cultural awareness
- Development of foreign area expertise and language proficiency
- Organization and functions of diplomatic missions
Helpful Attributes
- Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely
- Interest in collecting and analyzing data
- Interest in living and working in a foreign country
- Interest in working closely with people
Related Civilian Careers
- Interpreters and Translators
- Public Relations Specialists
- Compliance Managers
- Business Continuity Planners
More careers in this field
See all