Active Duty

Editors Note: Fred Lash sent us this info, some members may find interesting.

By Karen Parrish, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, July 25, 2013 – The Defense Department is facing a once-in-a-generation change, and its public affairs practitioners around the world need to communicate that change clearly, the Pentagon’s chief spokesman said today.

George Little, assistant to the secretary of defense for public affairs, spoke to commissioned, enlisted, civilian and contract employee defense public affairs professionals gathered at the Defense Media Activity’s headquarters on Fort Meade in Maryland. Little’s remarks also were webcast.

“Public affairs is an absolutely critical component of our military and our department,” he said. “We operate in a world so tightly connected that every world event, big or small, can be felt in real time.”

Little noted that thanks to the Internet, social media and smartphones, the walls between citizens, journalists and the military have never been thinner. He challenged his audience to consider three factors that argue for a new approach to public affairs:

— Changes brought about by war and the media’s evolution;

— An expanding toolbar of essential skills for public affairs professionals; and

— Military and civilian defense leaders’ responsibility for effective communication. (more…)

Reece and Krissy Lodder became parents to Rylea Pearl this month. Naturally, the multiple Merit and Thomas Jefferson Award winner captured the day in photos you can view on his blog.

Ray Shepherd is the Director, Defense Media Activity, providing a direct line of communication for news and information to U.S. forces worldwide.Prior to this position, Mr. Shepherd served as the Senior Vice President, Operations for the Warwick Consulting Group.  The Group provided leadership and program management guidance to for-profit and Read more…

Atlanta — DVIDS (Defense Video and Imagery Distribution System), a state-of-the-art, 24/7 operation that provides a timely, accurate and reliable connection between the media and the United States military, is now offering a daily e-mail with breaking news stories, imagery, audio and video direct from U.S. Military Public Affairs Detachments Read more…

By Col. Jeremy Martin, USA,
Commandant, DINFOS

Getting off to a Good Start in Your Initial Public Affairs Assignment

Recently during an ice breaker for our Public Affairs Qualification Course (PAQC) here at the Defense Information School (DINFOS), I was approached by a Captain who seemed to display a bit of anxiety regarding his first assignment as a  Public Affairs Officer.   He expressed concern about his initial meeting with his new boss.   He was concerned with  making a good impression during the meeting, and he also wanted to set the right tone for becoming a valued member of the staff going forward.  I remember his precise words to me, “sir, I just want to make an impact and ensure that my new boss listens to me and appreciates what Public Affairs can do for the mission.”

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DINFOS broadcast instructor, Marine Staff Sgt. Joseph DiGirolamo,  breaks away from a defender during the Defense Information School’s annual Toilet Bowl faculty football game at Mullins Field.  Despite DiGirolamo’s efforts, The Air Force-Army group  broke a three-year losing streak with their 13-7 victory over the Marine-Navy-Coast Guard gridders.