Public Affairs Course for International Students is a 5 week resident course and conducted at 6500 Mapes Road, Ft. Meade, Md. 20755.

This course operates on a fiscal year schedule from October 1st to September 30th. All courses offered after October 1st of a particular year are considered part of the next fiscal year. For example, if a course begins Oct 1, 2025, it is listed under FY 2026.

For registration, please visit the Army Training Requirements and Resource System (ATRRS) at https://www.atrrs.army.mil **Please note that ATTRS requires an NIPR computer and CAC card.**

For assistance, please email: registrar@dinfos.edu 

Course Description

PACIS provides basic public affairs knowledge and skills to military and civilian personnel from allied and partner nations in a culturally inclusive manner. Through lectures, demonstrations, performance exercises, case studies, assigned readings, field trips and guest speakers, students will acquire a foundation in the latest public affairs concepts, tools and communication strategies that will be transferable to each nation's military public affairs efforts. The curriculum is broadly based on existing PACS-Q training tasks but requires a less rigorous English comprehension level. 4.

• Course material is organized into the following Functional Areas: Communication Planning and Media Relations. Each functional area stresses the importance of maintaining a high standard of integrity.
• To accommodate language limitations, students will demonstrate understanding of the coursework through demonstrations, exercises or oral exams versus written examinations.
• The course culminates in the planning and development of a communication plan, which students will develop to address a current communication challenge faced by their command.

Course Purpose

In support of priorities outlined in the National Defense Strategy of the United States, the Public Affairs Course for International Students (PACIS) aims to deepen interoperability in public affairs and communication strategies between deployed American forces and our allies and partners. This course is intended to build the capacity of international military and civilian personnel selected by their governments to perform public affairs functions. Students will be from the defense ministries of nations operating within the Security Cooperation Education and Training Program (SCETP) framework. Rather than emphasize a US-centric approach to military public affairs, this course will compare and contrast U.S., NATO and UN approaches and emphasize basic public affairs knowledge and skills that can be adapted to individual nation requirements.

Prerequisites

DINFOS courses have specific requirements that define who can attend and what background or experience they need. Prerequisites are updated each fiscal year, and the most current details are listed below and on the ATRRS course pages.

FY 26 Course Information

PACIS FY 26 Course Prerequisites:  

None

PACIS FY 26 Service Prerequisites:  

This course is only for international military personnel who are serving in or are expected to perform in a public affairs capacity. Students must have an English Comprehension Level of 85 and obtain a score of 2/2 on the Oral Proficiency Interview.

FY 27 Course Information

PACIS FY 27 Course Prerequisites:  

None

PACIS FY 27 Service Prerequisites:  

This course is only for international military personnel who are serving in or are expected to perform in a public affairs capacity. Students must have an English Comprehension Level of 85 and obtain a score of 2/2 on the Oral Proficiency Interview.