PRSA Central PA
About the Marine Band
“The President’s Own” United States Marine Band is America’s oldest continuously active musical organization, whose mission is to provide music for the President of the United States and Commandant of the Marine Corps. Members of “The President’s Own” perform frequently at the White House in small ensembles, chamber orchestra, concert band, and as soloists. They perform for a wide variety of commitments, including public concerts, recording sessions, tours, chamber music recitals, military ceremonies and state functions. Today’s Marine Band is composed of 170 of the nation’s finest musicians and a full‑time professional staff consisting of Communication Strategists, Recording Engineers, Stage Managers, Music Arrangers, and Librarians. Staff members and musicians selected for “The President’s Own” are exempt from recruit training and appointed to the rank of Staff Sergeant/pay grade E‑6 under a contract “for duty with the U.S. Marine Band only.”
Job Description The Communication Strategist will be an integral member of a six‑person team responsible for protecting and promoting the brand of “The President’s Own” while building and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships with internal and external audiences and advising the band’s leadership of public relations trends, issues, and opportunities. The position includes occasional travel in support of Marine Band performances and initiatives. The ideal candidate will have strong writing and verbal communication skills and be fluent in the fundamentals of public relations and digital marketing. In this team‑based position, the Communication Strategist will frequently collaborate with the Marine Band Recording Lab and Library on production and research projects. Must be able to work occasional evenings and weekends.
Duties and Responsibilities
Writing, editing/proofreading, and publishing feature articles, marketing content, biographies, press releases, paid and organic ads, and copy for the organization’s digital properties.
Social media planning, content creation, scheduling and engagement.
Email marketing utilizing Constant Contact.
Media relations, including outreach and earned media coverage at national and local levels.
Event photography, photo editing and asset management.
Website management using the Marine Corps content management system.
Management of the organization’s participation and presence at conventions.
Interaction with concert patrons, both in person and online via livestreams.
Event management to include guest invitations/RSVPs, ticket distribution, publicity, etc.
Meeting logistical matters with performance venue representatives to ensure effective promotion, ticketing and logistical matters for upcoming events.
Manage vendor/contractor relationships as needed.
Manage paid advertising as needed.
Assist in educational outreach as needed.
Perform additional office and military duties as assigned.
Job Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Communication, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, related field.
Three years public relations or marketing experience.
Strong written and verbal communication skills. (Use of AI writing tools is prohibited under Marine Corps guidelines.) Proficient in AP Style.
Photography skills a plus (even if not professionally trained).
An appreciation and basic understanding of music and/or the Marine Corps is a plus in order to write and market effectively.
Ideal software experience includes:
Adobe Creative Suite (Lightroom, Photoshop, Express).
Cision or Meltwater or other media monitoring software.
Additional Information
This position is part of the Marine Band’s Office of Communication.
Must adhere to Marine Corps standards, approval workflows and copyright guidelines.
Must be capable of creating original work without the assistance of AI.
Requires occasional nights, weekends and travel for concerts and events.
Encouraged to maintain organized design archives.
Enlistment Qualifications Those selected for “The President’s Own” are exempt from recruit training and are appointed to the rank of Staff Sergeant/pay grade E‑6 under a contract “for duty with the U.S. Marine Band only.” Current regulations authorize enlistment between ages 17 and 28. Age waivers are normally granted; however the maximum age for which waivers may be granted to those with no prior military service is 34. Applicants must also pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) and a complete physical examination, which includes complying with established height/weight standards both at the time of enlistment and throughout one’s Marine Corps career.
Successful completion of an extensive background investigation is mandatory to obtain a Secret Security Clearance. This clearance is a requirement for the assignment of the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 5511—Member, United States Marine Band. Due to the length and scope of the security clearance process, it is initiated following the member’s enlistment onto active duty. Failure to obtain and maintain this security clearance may result in administrative separation from the U.S. Marine Corps. In order to successfully enlist in the United States Marine Corps, applicants must also be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident of the United States.
Application Process Interested applicants should submit the following items no later than January 16, 2026:
Application (see website)
Cover letter and résumé, along with three references with phone numbers.
Portfolio with at least three writing samples. Examples of graphic design and photography are also encouraged, but not required.
All materials should be sent electronically using a cloud or file‑sharing service to marinebandpublicaffairs1@gmail.com, with the subject line: Job Application Communication Strategist. Only qualified applicants will be contacted after the requested materials have been received. The first round of interviews will be conducted by phone. Those applicants who advance will be invited to visit Marine Barracks Annex in Washington, D.C., for an in‑person interview that will take place in early 2026, which will also include a writing exercise and lunch with members of the U.S. Marine Band Office of Communication. Applicants are responsible for their own travel expenses. For further information or questions, please contact:
United States Marine Band
Office of Communication
8th and I Sts SE, Washington, DC 20390-5000
Telephone: (202) 433-5809
marinebandpublicaffairs1@gmail.com
www.marineband.marines.mil
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Job Description The Communication Strategist will be an integral member of a six‑person team responsible for protecting and promoting the brand of “The President’s Own” while building and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships with internal and external audiences and advising the band’s leadership of public relations trends, issues, and opportunities. The position includes occasional travel in support of Marine Band performances and initiatives. The ideal candidate will have strong writing and verbal communication skills and be fluent in the fundamentals of public relations and digital marketing. In this team‑based position, the Communication Strategist will frequently collaborate with the Marine Band Recording Lab and Library on production and research projects. Must be able to work occasional evenings and weekends.
Duties and Responsibilities
Writing, editing/proofreading, and publishing feature articles, marketing content, biographies, press releases, paid and organic ads, and copy for the organization’s digital properties.
Social media planning, content creation, scheduling and engagement.
Email marketing utilizing Constant Contact.
Media relations, including outreach and earned media coverage at national and local levels.
Event photography, photo editing and asset management.
Website management using the Marine Corps content management system.
Management of the organization’s participation and presence at conventions.
Interaction with concert patrons, both in person and online via livestreams.
Event management to include guest invitations/RSVPs, ticket distribution, publicity, etc.
Meeting logistical matters with performance venue representatives to ensure effective promotion, ticketing and logistical matters for upcoming events.
Manage vendor/contractor relationships as needed.
Manage paid advertising as needed.
Assist in educational outreach as needed.
Perform additional office and military duties as assigned.
Job Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Communication, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, related field.
Three years public relations or marketing experience.
Strong written and verbal communication skills. (Use of AI writing tools is prohibited under Marine Corps guidelines.) Proficient in AP Style.
Photography skills a plus (even if not professionally trained).
An appreciation and basic understanding of music and/or the Marine Corps is a plus in order to write and market effectively.
Ideal software experience includes:
Adobe Creative Suite (Lightroom, Photoshop, Express).
Cision or Meltwater or other media monitoring software.
Additional Information
This position is part of the Marine Band’s Office of Communication.
Must adhere to Marine Corps standards, approval workflows and copyright guidelines.
Must be capable of creating original work without the assistance of AI.
Requires occasional nights, weekends and travel for concerts and events.
Encouraged to maintain organized design archives.
Enlistment Qualifications Those selected for “The President’s Own” are exempt from recruit training and are appointed to the rank of Staff Sergeant/pay grade E‑6 under a contract “for duty with the U.S. Marine Band only.” Current regulations authorize enlistment between ages 17 and 28. Age waivers are normally granted; however the maximum age for which waivers may be granted to those with no prior military service is 34. Applicants must also pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) and a complete physical examination, which includes complying with established height/weight standards both at the time of enlistment and throughout one’s Marine Corps career.
Successful completion of an extensive background investigation is mandatory to obtain a Secret Security Clearance. This clearance is a requirement for the assignment of the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 5511—Member, United States Marine Band. Due to the length and scope of the security clearance process, it is initiated following the member’s enlistment onto active duty. Failure to obtain and maintain this security clearance may result in administrative separation from the U.S. Marine Corps. In order to successfully enlist in the United States Marine Corps, applicants must also be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident of the United States.
Application Process Interested applicants should submit the following items no later than January 16, 2026:
Application (see website)
Cover letter and résumé, along with three references with phone numbers.
Portfolio with at least three writing samples. Examples of graphic design and photography are also encouraged, but not required.
All materials should be sent electronically using a cloud or file‑sharing service to marinebandpublicaffairs1@gmail.com, with the subject line: Job Application Communication Strategist. Only qualified applicants will be contacted after the requested materials have been received. The first round of interviews will be conducted by phone. Those applicants who advance will be invited to visit Marine Barracks Annex in Washington, D.C., for an in‑person interview that will take place in early 2026, which will also include a writing exercise and lunch with members of the U.S. Marine Band Office of Communication. Applicants are responsible for their own travel expenses. For further information or questions, please contact:
United States Marine Band
Office of Communication
8th and I Sts SE, Washington, DC 20390-5000
Telephone: (202) 433-5809
marinebandpublicaffairs1@gmail.com
www.marineband.marines.mil
#J-18808-Ljbffr