U.S. ARMY CIVIL AFFAIRS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL OPERATIONS COMMAND

38A officers typically start in the rank of First Lieutenant to Major (w/grade waiver); possess a Physical Profile Serial System PULHES 111221 and are required to have eligibility for a Top Secret security clearance. 38B enlisted Soldiers must have a minimum ASVAB ST score of 105 after 01 July 2004 or GT score of 107 after 01 Feb 2015. Soldiers must also be eligible for a Secret security clearance.

Civil Affairs (CA) officers serve as planners, coordinators and liaisons between their units and civil authorities to enhance military operations. Officer positions in CA typically start at the rank of Captain and typically serve as a CA team leader. CA officer training includes a prior completed Captains Career Course (CCC), or Civil Affairs CCC, held at Ft. Bragg, NC. CA CCC is conducted as a three-phase course. Phase 1 (4 day) is only required if you have no prior CCC, phase 2 is 11 days, phase 3 is 14 days. All three phases are conducted as resident courses.

Civil Affairs (CA) Specialists conduct, coordinate, participate in, and supervise the analysis, planning, and production of CA related products and resources for tactical CA operations. 38B initial entry training (IET) is 10 weeks of Basic Training followed by 13 weeks of Advanced Individual Training (AIT). Reclassification for current USAR Soldiers, at the rank of Staff Sergeant and below, is 29 days.

Incentives vary according to unit, location, and current policy, but can include enlistment / affiliation bonuses, lodging at home station, reimbursement of travel expenses (depending on distance to home station), foreign language proficiency pay, jump pay, tuition assistance, education benefits, and eligibility for Tricare Reserve Health and Dental and Army Reserve Retirement Savings Plan.

Civil Affairs Soldiers attend annual training events and overseas exercises in joint and multi-national environments. Based on unit requirements there may be opportunities for language training, airborne school, or additional military education. Missions can include humanitarian relief efforts, liaison to civilian support agencies, provision of non-lethal effects of influence, a deep knowledge base of culture, people, and language, as well as offering support of synchronized efforts between the U.S. military and host nation governments and organizations.

Civil Affairs (CA) Soldiers and Officers are uniquely qualified with tactical skills enhanced by an understanding of the civil-social dynamics and populace behaviors that can affect military operations. Often called “Warrior-Diplomats,” these highly qualified Soldiers use their understanding of the civil component to inform and influence the host nation and to effectively work with indigenous populations, civil institutions, interagency organizations, and interagency partners. CA Soldiers are an integral part of the Army Reserve’s current and future strategy to prevent, shape and win future conflicts.

Psychological Operations Officers (37A) generally begin at the rank of First Lieutenant or Captain; possess a Physical Profile Serial System PULHES 111221, and are required to have a Top Secret (TS) security clearance eligibility. 37F enlisted must have a minimum ASVAB ST score of 101 after 01 July 2004 or a GT score of 105 for those joining after 01 July 2020. Enlisted Soldiers must also be eligible for a Secret security clearance.

As well as being technically and tactically proficient, Psychological Operations Soldiers are subject matter experts in the psychological aspects of warfare, the influencing of individuals and groups, joint and interagency operations, planning, operations, and intelligence. They understand the concept of the human domain and operations conducted within that domain, and further understand and are capable of employing Army and joint doctrine in planning and operations. PSYOP Soldiers are also capable of planning and conducting Military Information Support Operations (MISO) at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels across the competition continuum.

Officers in the Psychological Operations career field plan, coordinate, and manage the execution of Psychological Operations, understand the human domain and operations conducted within, are proficient in tactical-level operations, are capable of planning and conducting MISO at the tactical, operational and strategic levels, and are experts in the psychological aspects of warfare and influence. Officers within the PO branch initially serve as PYSOP Detachment Leaders. PO training includes Psychological Operations Captains Career Course (CCC) and Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Qualification. CCC is conducted as a three-phase course. Phase 1 (resident) is 4 days and only required if the officer has no prior CCC. If the officer has completed a prior CCC, then it is necessary to only complete Phase 2 and Phase 3. Phase 2 (non-resident) is 18 weeks of facilitated distance learning and Phase 3 is 29 days resident training at Ft. Bragg, N.C.

Incentives vary according to unit, location, and current policy, but can include enlistment and affiliation bonuses, lodging at home station, reimbursement of travel expenses (dependent on distance to home station), foreign language proficiency pay, jump pay, tuition assistance, education benefits, eligibility for Tricare Reserve Health and Dental, and the Army Reserve Retirement Savings Plan.

Psychological Operations Soldiers attend annual training events and overseas exercises in joint and multi-national environments. Based on unit requirements, there may be opportunities for language training, airborne school, or additional military education. Missions can include humanitarian relief efforts, liaison to civilian support agencies, provision of nonlethal effects of influence, a deep knowledge base of culture, people and language, as well as offering support of synchronized efforts between the U.S. military and host nation governments and organizations.

38Gs are subject matter experts that serve as Civil Affairs (CA) Officers specializing in one (or more) of the 18 skill identifiers.

Qualified professionals and current service members can apply now through the U.S. Army Talent Management Site for a direct appointment or branch transfer as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army Civil Affairs Area Of Concentration (AOC) 38G. 

• Be a United States citizen.
• Have earned a minimum of a master’s degree from an accreted university associated with the ASI applying for.
• Possess a minimum of 48 months of work experience in specified ASI applying for after earning the associated degree.
• Pass an Army medical physical and meet basic fitness standards.
• Be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
• Direct Appointment applicants must be under the age of 48. Waivers are accepted for applicants over the age of 47.

A candidate must have earned a minimum of a master’s degree from an accredited university associated with the ASI applying for.