46R MOS Public Affairs Broadcast Specialist (now 46S) — Civilian Career Guide
Retired code. Merged with 46Q into 46S Public Affairs Mass Communications Specialist on 1 Oct 2018. If your DD-214 shows 46R, use 46S on applications. Broadcast production, camera and audio work, and editing.
CAREER PATHS
4
TOP SALARY
$128,260.00
AVG SALARY
$78,500.00
Civilian Career Matches
Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Salaries are national medians — your area may vary.
Communications Manager
SOC 11-2031
$128,260.00
median/yr
Public Relations Specialist
SOC 27-3031
$67,440.00
median/yr
Broadcast News Analyst
SOC 27-3022
$62,340.00
median/yr
Journalist/Reporter
SOC 27-3023
$55,960.00
median/yr
What's your next step?
You've got the civilian career picture. Now: pick what to tackle next. Most 46R Public Affairs Broadcast Specialist (now 46S) veterans separating in the next 12 months should start here.
Do this first
Start your VA disability claim
File before separation. Every day = back-pay you can't recover. Free claims tracker covers 110+ conditions.
Where to settle
Compare 50 states for veterans
Property tax exemptions, no-state-income-tax states, healthcare access. Side-by-side comparisons.
12-month roadmap
Build your transition timeline
TAP class, VA enrollment, terminal leave, TSP, SkillBridge — all the deadlines no one tells you.
Quick calculator
Estimate your VA combined rating
The VA doesn't add ratings — they use a specific formula. See your combined rating in 30 seconds.
Skills That Transfer
Recommended Certifications
These certifications can increase your salary by 10-25% and make you more competitive for civilian roles.
How to pay for these — you likely don't pay out of pocket
- GI Bill: the Post-9/11 GI Bill reimburses licensing & certification test fees up to $2,000 per exam— and it doesn't use a full month of entitlement.
- While you're still in:your branch's Credentialing Assistance program can cover the full cost of many of these certs (often several thousand dollars a year) — check Army COOL / Credentialing Assistance ↗ for what's funded and current amounts.
- Tip: start certs before you separate — Credentialing Assistance is only for currently-serving members; after separation you shift to the GI Bill.
VA conditions commonly associated with 46R service
The documented noise, physical demands, and exposures of a Public Affairs Broadcast Specialist (now 46S) role are commonly linked to the conditions below. This is awareness of what this job can lead to, not a promise of a rating. The VA decides every claim on your own diagnosis and evidence. If you deal with any of these, here is how each is rated.
Weapons, engines, and flightline noise are the #1 driver of ringing in the ears.
See how it is rated →Repeated noise exposure without perfect hearing protection is extremely common.
See how it is rated →Rucking, lifting, and body armor load the spine for years.
See how it is rated →Repetitive hand/keyboard or tool work compresses the wrist nerve.
See how it is rated →Stress, irregular meals, and meds drive chronic reflux.
See how it is rated →High-tempo or high-stakes duty can cause lasting anxiety.
See how it is rated →A free accredited VSO can help you file any of these at no cost. Never pay a fee or a percentage of your back pay for claim help.
Civilian careers 46R feeds
Each links to every military code across all branches that leads to the same job, which is useful context when a posting asks for experience you have under a different name.
46R equivalents in other branches
Ranked by how much civilian ground they share with 46R, not by title similarity. Handy for joint billets, spouse comparisons, or explaining your background to someone who served elsewhere.
Translate Your 46R Experience to a Civilian Resume
Use our free resume builder to convert your Public Affairs Broadcast Specialist (now 46S) skills and experience into language civilian employers understand. Built specifically for Army veterans.
46R Public Affairs Broadcast Specialist (now 46S): Frequently Asked Questions
What does a 46R Public Affairs Broadcast Specialist (now 46S) do?
Retired code. Merged with 46Q into 46S Public Affairs Mass Communications Specialist on 1 Oct 2018. If your DD-214 shows 46R, use 46S on applications. Broadcast production, camera and audio work, and editing.
What civilian jobs can a 46R Public Affairs Broadcast Specialist (now 46S) transition into?
Common civilian careers for a 46R (Army MOS) Public Affairs Broadcast Specialist (now 46S) include Communications Manager, Public Relations Specialist, Broadcast News Analyst, and Journalist/Reporter. These roles draw on the same skills and experience you built in service — see the full skill-to-career mapping above.
How much does a 46R Public Affairs Broadcast Specialist (now 46S) make in civilian work?
Civilian roles that match a 46R Public Affairs Broadcast Specialist (now 46S) have median salaries ranging from about $55,960 to $128,260 per year, depending on the role, location, and your certifications and clearance. Figures are BLS median wage data for the matched occupations.
What certifications help a 46R Public Affairs Broadcast Specialist (now 46S) land a civilian job?
Certifications that strengthen a 46R Public Affairs Broadcast Specialist (now 46S) resume include Adobe Certified Professional (Premiere Pro), Avid Media Composer Certified User, SBE Certified Television Operator, and PRSA Accreditation in Public Relations (APR). Many can be started before you separate, and several are covered by VA education benefits or credentialing programs.
What skills does a 46R Public Affairs Broadcast Specialist (now 46S) bring to civilian employers?
Employers value the transferable skills a 46R Public Affairs Broadcast Specialist (now 46S) develops, including Video production, Audio recording and mixing, Nonlinear video editing, Broadcast scriptwriting, and On-camera reporting. Translating these into civilian terms on your resume is what turns military experience into interviews.
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46R Jobs by State
Explore 46R Public Affairs Broadcast Specialist (now 46S) career opportunities by state.