CIVIL AFFAIRS
The U.S. Army has a long history of working closely with local populations and civil authorities during times of conflict—and Civil Affairs Soldiers lead that mission. Working on the ground, they engage and partner with communities around the world to reduce the root causes of instability, enable local governments, and improve the quality of life for civilians caught in crisis zones.
With deep knowledge of government and diplomacy, Civil Affairs Soldiers educate Army commanders on the many needs, vulnerabilities, and complexities of civilian populations abroad. They use their specialized training to plan and execute a variety of civil-military operations in support of Army, Joint, and Special Operations.
As part of the Special Operations Forces, active-duty Civil Affairs Soldiers undergo a rigorous assessment and selection process. This is followed by extensive training in core tasks, advanced survival skills, negotiation techniques, and foreign language training in order to operate independently as a small team—anywhere in the world.
Meanwhile, Reserve Civil Affairs Soldiers use their unique professional skills from the civilian sector to support the military and help stabilize conflict areas.
Civil Affairs teams are comprised of four highly-trained Soldiers who are physically fit, tactically skilled, and culturally aware of their surroundings. They are able to conduct global missions in harsh environments that are politically sensitive or even hostile.
See Team Roles
While the training process is extensive and challenging, Civil Affairs is an extremely rewarding career that offers unique opportunities and missions around the world.
See Training
There are certain requirements and core skills you’ll need to have in order to become a Civil Affairs Soldier.
See Requirements
