Senior Reporter, Pentagon and World Affairs
USA TODAY Co., Inc.Role Overview
USA TODAY Co., Inc. is hiring a Senior Reporter, Pentagon and World Affairs. This is a full-time role in Washington. posted yesterday. Full responsibilities, required qualifications, and the apply link are listed in the description below.
Resume Keywords to Include
Make sure these keywords appear in your resume to improve ATS scoring
Job Description
|Current USA TODAY Co. Employees- Please ensure you are using our abbreviated process on the internal Careers site by logging into Dayforce through MyApps|
USA TODAY Co., Inc. is a diversified media company with expansive reach at the national and local level dedicated to empowering and enriching communities. We seek to inspire, inform, and connect audiences as a sustainable, growth focused media and digital marketing solutions company. Through our trusted brands, including the USA TODAY NETWORK, comprised of the national publication, USA TODAY, and local media organizations, including our network of local properties, in the United States, and Newsquest, a wholly-owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom, we provide essential journalism, local content, and digital experiences to audiences and businesses. We deliver high-quality, trusted content with a commitment to balanced, unbiased journalism, where and when consumers want to engage. Our digital marketing solutions brand, LocaliQ, supports small and medium-sized businesses with innovative digital marketing products and solutions. USA TODAY Co. open roles are featured on various external job boards. When applying to a position at USA TODAY Co., you should be completing an application on USA TODAY Co. Careers via Dayforce. Job postings directing you to complete an application on other external sites may not be valid. If you are a California resident, you acknowledge that by applying for a job with us, this California Job Applicant Privacy Notice will apply to our collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information. To connect with us, visit www.usatodayco.com
Overview
USA TODAY, a digital-first news organization, is seeking a dynamic and driven Pentagon and World Affairs Correspondent to join our national team. This role is ideal for a journalist who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about delivering exclusive, high-impact stories that inform and engage a broad audience.
Job Purpose
The correspondent will cover the Pentagon, global conflict and U.S. national security, producing fast-turn news updates and deeply reported enterprise journalism. This beat demands urgency, accuracy, and a human-centered approach to storytelling that brings clarity to complex global issues.
Responsibilities
- Stay on top of big breaking news concerning national security and world affairs and write a steady stream of distinctive enterprise features.
- Illuminate how the Trump administration is overhauling the Defense Department.
- Cover the impact of war and overseas deployments on U.S. service members and their families.
- Report on health care for military veterans and the unique nature of military life.
- Develop and maintain robust sourcing across the military, national security agencies, Congress and experts.
- Deliver exclusive reporting and scoops that reflect USA TODAY’s commitment to original journalism.
- Collaborate across the USA TODAY Network to elevate national political coverage.
- Utilize digital tools and platforms (live blogs, explainers, SEO, social media) to maximize reach and engagement.
- Apply audience metrics to guide story selection and presentation. The correspondent will know our audience and will be dedicated to our mission of accountability journalism.
- Contribute to multimedia storytelling across formats including video, newsletters and social platforms.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in journalism or related field, or equivalent experience.
- Minimum of 4 years newsroom experience, preferably in national or international reporting.
- Demonstrated ability to file quickly and accurately under deadline pressure.
- Strong news judgment and understanding of USA TODAY’s audience.
- Proficiency in digital storytelling tools and SEO best practices.
- Experience with live coverage, listicles, and explanatory journalism.
- Commitment to ethical reporting and sourcing standards.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote or hybrid team environment.
- Candidates should have facility with AI and automation and experience in using it to enhance their journalism.
Desired Attributes
- Finds distinctive and interesting angles in national security and global affairs and writes with flair for an audience that spans the country.
- Dislikes following the pack and knows how to find and develop the nuggets that will draw attention to a national issue.
- Ability to juggle multiple assignments at various stages of development.
- A storytelling style that is both informative and engaging.
- Passion for shoe-leather reporting and clean, fast turns.
Application Instructions
About
We are eager to learn more about you and how you fit this role. When you apply, don’t limit your upload to a resume; show us what you’ve done. To do so, put together a single document file that includes the following, in this order:
- Your resume – one to two pages.
- A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
- Links to 3-6 online samples of your work. Show us what you’ve produced or had a hand in that best reflects what you can do in your desired role.
It is important that these items be assembled into a single document and uploaded in PDF format. Completing these steps will ensure that your application receives the highest consideration.
#Newsgnt
USA TODAY Co., Inc. is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a diverse workforce. As such, we will consider all qualified applicants for employment and do not discriminate in connection with employment decisions on the basis of an applicant or employee’s race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, citizenship status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, marital status, personal appearance (including height and weight), sexual orientation, family responsibilities, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy status (including childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), education, genetic characteristics or information, political affiliation, military or veteran status or other classifications protected by applicable federal, state and local laws in the jurisdictions where USA TODAY Co. employs employees. In addition, USA TODAY Co., Inc. will provide applicants who require a reasonable accommodation, as a result of an applicant’s disability or religion, to complete this employment application and/or any other process in connection with an individuals’ application for employment with USA TODAY Co., Inc. Applicants who require such accommodation should contact USA TODAY Co., Inc.’s Recruitment Department at Recruit@usatodayco.com. Applicants must be authorized to work in the applicable location. Applications from outside these regions will be removed from our system after submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for the Senior Reporter, Pentagon and World Affairs position at USA TODAY Co., Inc.?
Use the Apply button above to submit your application directly to USA TODAY Co., Inc.. Most applications take less than 5 minutes if your resume and contact details are ready, and you'll be routed to the employer's official application system to finish.
Where is the Senior Reporter, Pentagon and World Affairs position at USA TODAY Co., Inc. located?
This position is based in Washington. USA TODAY Co., Inc. has not indicated remote or hybrid options for this role, so candidates should plan for on-site work.
What does a Senior Reporter, Pentagon and World Affairs at USA TODAY Co., Inc. earn?
USA TODAY Co., Inc. has not disclosed a salary range in this posting. Many employers share specifics later in the interview process; you can also ask during a recruiter screen if compensation transparency is important to you.
When was the Senior Reporter, Pentagon and World Affairs role at USA TODAY Co., Inc. posted?
This role was posted on June 16, 2026 (yesterday). It's still listed as actively hiring; we re-confirm openings against the source system multiple times per day and remove closed roles.
How much experience does the Senior Reporter, Pentagon and World Affairs role at USA TODAY Co., Inc. require?
This is a senior-level position. Most senior roles call for 5+ years of directly relevant experience. USA TODAY Co., Inc. lists their specific requirements in the description below, so review the must-have qualifications closely before applying.
AI-powered job search
Get every job scored to your resume
Upload your resume and get jobs ranked, your resume tailored, and employee contacts found automatically.
Get Started FreeNo credit card to start