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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 c

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 non-profit organizations. Mr. Shepherd formerly served as the Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross of Northern New Jers

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 covering operations around the world. Feel free to use any of these products in your publication or website as you see fit at no cost.

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

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.

Staff Sgt Jeremy Vought , Marine Corps Liaison / DVIDS SNCOIC tells us there is a "Nice editorial from fellow Combat Correspondent, Cpl. Reece Lodder ." About his work in Afghanistan. Read it here.

Jennifer Brofer writes: I just found out this morning that I have been accepted to UT Austin's College of Communication , starting in the fall. I will be majoring in Television/Radio/Film. I believe my Marine Corps experiences have prepared me to finally tackle college. Very excited to begin the next chapter!

Multiple merit award winner Cpl. Reece Lodder , Combat Correspondent writes: "I thought I'd share my latest story on 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment's 'Dogs of War' in Afghanistan. It's a story I've been waiting to tell my entire deployment, and one of my favorites I've had the opportunity to craft as of recent. The supporting photos are my best photos of our IED detection dogs and their Marine handlers from my deployment to Garmsir." To read this story and view the photos

Col. Bryan F. Salas , former Director of Information at HQMC, will formally retire from the Corps on January 19 during ceremonies at the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes.  Col. Salas became Director of Information in 2009, shortly after his promotion to colonel.  During his three years in that position he became a very good friend of the USMCCCA, joining the Association shortly after beginning his Pentagon tour.  He also served one two-year term as Association Director.  He was succ

CC Sgt Pete Thibodeau was chosen as DVIDS Journalist of the Month for November 2011 for his documentation of the training conducted between U.S. Marines and Australian troops during Exercise Semper Fast 2011. Thibodeau  also received  the 2010 William T. Perkins Combat Cameraman of the Year award at the Reno Conference.

WASHINGTON D.C. - Col. Paul J. Kennedy , Director of Marine Corps Public Affairs, recently visited the Washington Post for a tour and to observe a meeting of the news editors.  During this meeting, editors discussed the news of the day and decisions were made regarding the placement of articles, graphics, and photos for the Website as well as Print Edition.  Pictured on the left, is Peter Perl , the assistant managing editor of the Washington Post who escorted Kennedy thro

Sgt. Joseph DiGirolamo was selected as the Defense Information School's (DINFOS) Warrior of the Quarter, 1st Quarter board. DiGirolamo will represent DINFOS during Fort Meade's Ultima Warrior of the Quarter.

Each year the USMCCCA negotiates with a select number of hotels to obtain the best possible price for conducting its annual conference. There are several considerations: One, does the hotel adhere to the military per diem rate for that city and, two, is the per diem rate fair to non-active duty members, including retirees. In the negotiation process we ask for various concessions. The hotel routinely charges for meeting room space, space for hospitality, and sets various char

If you paid by PayPal send the name you registered under to kate@usmccca.org . If you paid by cash or credit card you will need to wait until our executive director, Jack Paxton returns from a WELL DESERVED vacation in mid-October or find out if your command will accept an email signed by Jack Paxton stating that you attended the conference.

Marine Corps Times (29 Aug edition) is carrying story and photo of Cpl. Aaron Mankin who will be honored with comedian Stephen Colbert Nov. 9 in New York at the Heroes Gala, sponsored by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.  Aaron will receive the Veterans Leadership Award for his part as spokesman for Operation Mend, a program at UCLA to provide reconstructive surgery to severely wounded combat veterans.