The Public Affairs & Communication Strategy Qualification Course is a nine-week resident course 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

The Public Affairs & Communication Strategy Qualification Course provides entry-level public affairs training for the Department of War, U.S. government agencies, and selected foreign military professionals. Instruction focuses on the foundational elements of the communication planning process, principles and techniques associated with implementing effective communication strategies, and the processes involved in integrating communication into military planning and operations.

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

PACS-Q FY 26 Course Prerequisites: 

None

PACS-Q FY 26 Service Prerequisites: 

• United States Army, Army Reserve, Army National Guard - Active Army Officer must meet prerequisites outlined in DA PAM 611-21; O-3 through O-4 (Must have completed Officer Basic Course before submitting into ATRRS). USAR and NG Officers must meet prerequisites outlined in DA PAM 611-21; O-2 through O-4; must be filing 46A billet; meet all above requirements.
  
  Active Army Enlisted: E-7 through E-9; PA - 46Z; VI-46Y. All NCOs attending PACS-Q require an exception to policy (ETP) validated by Army Public Affairs School (APAS).
  
  NGB Enlisted: Non-control branch filing valid CMF 46 position; endorsed by NGB, validated by APAS. E-8 through E-9.
  
  USAR Enlisted: Non-control branch filing valid CMF 46 position; E-8 through E-9; ETP endorsed by USAR, validated by APAS. POC: publicaffairseducation@army.mil.
  
  All Army students attending this course must meet height and weight standard IAW AR 600-9. Must pass Army Fitness Test (AFT) prior to graduation.
  
  Army Civilians: Must be in a public affairs field GS 1035, 1082, 0301, 1001, 1084. GS 7 or above. POC: susan.a.hand.civ@army.mil. 
   
• United States Marine Corps - Officer: O-1 through O-4. Enlisted: E6 - E8. Civilian: GS09 and above (Series 1035).
   
• United States Navy - Officer: O-1 through O-4. Enlisted: E-5 through E-9. Enlisted must be a Mass Communication Specialist. Civilian: GS-7 and above - Includes interns. All must be in a public affairs field (GS-1035, 1082, 1083, and 1087 or 0301 with CHINFO approval).
   
• United States Air Force - O1 through O5 (AFSC 35X); E-7 through E-9 (AFSC 3NXXX); GS-7 and above/equivalent (Occupational Series 1035, or with SAF/PA concurrence).
   
• United States Coast Guard -  Officer: O-1 through O5. Prerequisites are based on their billet description and authorization from Coast Guard 092. Enlisted: E-5 through E-8. Prerequisites are based on their billet description and authorization from Coast Guard 092.
  
  Civilian : GS - 07 and above in a public affairs billet (series 1035) approved by USCG Public Affairs Program manager.
   
• International Students - Students must have a solid understanding of the English language, usage, grammar and syntax. Students must score an 85 on the English Comprehension Level (ECL) test; have completed Specialized English Training (SET); obtain a score of 2+/2+ on the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and have basic keyboard skills.

• Interagency Students - Must be a DoW civilian employee working in the public affairs (PA) career field (GS-1035). No exceptions.

FY 27 Course Information

PACS-Q FY 27 Course Prerequisites: 

None

PACS-Q FY 27 Service Prerequisites: 

• United States Army, Army Reserve, Army National Guard - Active Army Officer must meet prerequisites outlined in DA PAM 611-21; O-3 through O-4 (Must have completed Officer Basic Course before submitting into ATRRS). USAR and NG Officers must meet prerequisites outlined in DA PAM 611-21; O-2 through O-4; must be filing 46A billet; meet all above requirements.
  
  Active Army Enlisted: E-7 through E-9; PA - 46Z; VI-46Y. All NCOs attending PACS-Q require an exception to policy (ETP) validated by Army Public Affairs School (APAS)
  
  NGB Enlisted: Non-control branch filing valid CMF 46 position; endorsed by NGB, validated by APAS; E-8 through E-9.
  
  USAR Enlisted: Non-control branch filing valid CMF 46 position; E-8 through E-9; ETP endorsed by USAR, validated by APAS. POC: publicaffairseducation@army.mil.
  
  All Army students attending this course must meet height and weight standard IAW AR 600-9; Must pass Army Fitness Test (AFT) prior to graduation.
  
  Army Civilians: Must be in a public affairs field GS 1035, 1082, 0301, 1001, 1084. GS 7 or above. POC: susan.a.hand.civ@army.mil.
   
• United States Marine Corps - Officer: O-1 through O-4. Enlisted: E6 - E8. Civilian: GS09 and above (Series 1035).
   
• United States Navy - Officer: O-1 through O-4. Enlisted: E-5 through E-9. Enlisted must be a Mass Communication Specialist. Civilian: GS-7 and above. Includes interns. All must be in a public affairs field (GS-1035, 1082, 1083, and 1087 or 0301 with CHINFO approval).
   
• United States Air Force - O1 through O5 (AFSC 35X). E-7 through E-9 (AFSC 3NXXX). GS-07 and above/equivalent (Occupational Series 1035, or with SAF/PA concurrence).
   
• United States Coast Guard -  Officer: O-1 through O5. Prerequisites are based on their billet description and authorization from Coast Guard 092. Enlisted: E-5 through E-8. Prerequisites are based on their billet description and authorization from Coast Guard 092.
  
  Civilian : GS-07 and above in a public affairs billet (series 1035) approved by USCG Public Affairs Program manager.
   
• International Students - Students must have a solid understanding of the English language, usage, grammar and syntax. Students must score an 85 on the English Comprehension Level (ECL) test; have completed Specialized English Training (SET); obtain a score of 2+/2+ on the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and have basic keyboard skills.

• Interagency Students - Must be a DoW civilian employee working in the public affairs (PA) career field (GS-1035). No exceptions.