Defense Information School
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Defense Information School, or DINFOS, is a United States Department of Defense (DoD) school located at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. Members from all branches of the U.S. military, DoD civilians and international military personnel attend DINFOS for training in public affairs, print journalism, photojournalism, photography, television and radio broadcasting, lithography, equipment maintenance and various forms of multimedia. DINFOS fulfills the Department of Defense's self-professed need for an internal corps of professional journalists, broadcasters, and public affairs professionals.[1] The American Council on Education recommends college credit for most DINFOS courses.[2]
Contents |
[edit] History
The Army Information School was founded in 1946 at Carlisle Barracks. The other U.S. armed services also conducted public affairs and journalism training, and merged with the Army Information School in 1948 to for the Armed Forces Information School in New York. Due to poor enrollment, the joint service venture disbanded until 1964 when Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Arthur Sylvester chartered DINFOS. DINFOS moved to Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana in 1965 where it remained until its 1995 move to Fort George G. Meade, Maryland.[3]
[edit] Training
[edit] Journalism Courses
Journalism classes feature basic writing skills and include a headline style known at the school as "headline-ese," a total style for writing and developing headlines. Students are taught a variety of writing styles and formats such as news, sports and feature writing.
Photojournalism courses focus on composition, exposure, and general camera operation skills. Flash photography is introduced in the basic photography course. Students learn advanced photo-editing, composition and other techniques not taught in basic photojournalism classes.
For military print journalists, DINFOS offers the 12-week Basic Public Affairs Specialist - Writer (BPAS-W) course and three-week Editors' Course. U.S. Army students are awarded the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) designator of "46Q."
Broadcasters begin by attending BWAS - Basic Writing and Announcing Skills. If the class requirements are met, students may continue into Radio and Television broadcasting classes. U.S. Army students are awarded the MOS designator of "46R." U.S. Army enlisted personnel in the rank of Sergeant First Class or above must complete both print and broadcast courses; once they complete this training, they receive the MOS designator of "46Z."
[edit] Equipment Maintenance Courses
The Basic Television Equipment Maintenance (BTVEM) course includes apprentice level instruction in the repair of all types of studio and transmission equipment. Students also learn how to maintain the AVID non-linear digital editing systems. The related U.S. Army MOS is "25R," and the Air Force AFSC awarded upon completion is "2E134." Since December 2006 Air Force class graduated, DINFOS no longer trains Air Force personnel in the BTVEM course.
The Broadcast Radio and Television Systems Maintenance course is an advanced level course where students learn the ins and outs of Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) engineering standards and practices.
Both maintenance courses are nationally accredited by the Society of Broadcasting Engineers (SBE). Upon completion of either course with an average GPA of at least 85%, students are certified by the SBE as broadcast technologists (CBT).
[edit] Notable Alumni
- Zsa Zsa Gershick[4]
- Chas Henry[5]
- LouAnne Johnson[6]
- Clarence Page
- Rod Simmons[7]
- James Smith, White House media
- Marshall Thompson[8]
- James E. Whaley[9]
- Earl Woods, father of golfer Tiger Woods
