FORT MEADE, Md. (Dec. 19, 2014) -- Staff Sgt. Johnathan Bentley, a public affairs broadcast specialist and instructor at the Defense Information School, was surprised with how much training he received and how quickly he was able to gain real experience during his time as a student at DINFOS.
"First thing I was learning how to do was announce scripts and write scripts; then I moved on to radio where I learned how to do a whole radio show completely by myself," said Bentley. "I moved on to TV where I learned how to shoot video, edit video, voice the script and put together a whole news package -- just like reporters out in the field."
Soldiers at DINFOS cultivate their skills in journalism, broadcasting, photography and public affairs as they train with world-class equipment and technology to become communications leaders for the U.S. Department of Defense. Each year, DINFOS trains nearly 3,000 people to share the nation's military story using various forms of media with Americans and the world.
Soldiers receive technical training, mentorship and hands-on experience as they learn everything there is to know in the news media realm from writing and reading scripts to managing a broadcast show to shooting video and capturing still images in the field.
As an instructor, Bentley said his purpose is to ensure that his students receive a top-notch education in broadcast journalism which will serve as the catalyst for their successful careers both within the military and civilian sectors.
"Anything you see at the Defense Information School, you'll see at a civilian broadcast studio," said Bentley. "The value of doing this job in the Army versus the civilian world is the amount of training that you get. At DINFOS, there are people dedicated to making sure you succeed in every aspect. You get experience that people see, and they will hire you almost immediately."
Spc. Elizabeth Taylor initially graduated from DINFOS as a public affairs specialist with extensive training in print and photo journalism and traveled the country on various missions. In her travels, she realized how beneficial videography skills could be to her job, and now she is back at DINFOS receiving formal broadcast training.
"Basically what I'm learning is how to be an effective communicator to tell the Soldiers' stories and put their day-to-day into a video or on the radio or in writing so people can see what they're doing."
Along the way, Taylor's studies in broadcast journalism also taught her something about herself.
"Prior to becoming a broadcaster, I would prefer to step to the side; not necessarily scared or timid, just I'd rather do the work that others wouldn't necessarily see," said Taylor. "Being a broadcaster has taught me how to put myself in the front and that sometimes it's ok to take a step forward and to allow other people to see you and what you're capable of and maybe learn from that."
Spc. Josh Wooten served as a human resources specialist in the Army when he discovered his passion for photography. He knew a career in photography was a better fit for his personality, and the Army gave him the opportunity to enroll at DINFOS.
"I love adventure, and this job actually provides that for me," said Wooten. "Being a combat still photographer, you have the ability to link up with any unit in the Army and go wherever that unit is going. My unit has been to Africa, the Netherlands, Iraq and Afghanistan. For people that are into adventure and seeing the world, this is a great [career] to have."
On top of the adventure, Wooten also recognized the impact that photographers have on history.
"As an Army photographer you're given the task to capture history," said Wooten. "Look at the individuals in Iraq and Afghanistan. When they did the first invasion, they didn't know they were capturing history; but those are historical moments. That's the job we've been tasked to do. If we look back in history, we have famous photos from Iwo Jima or the assassination of John F. Kennedy; those are moments that nobody even knew were going to unfold. Thanks to a photographer being there, we can actually look back at those moments."
Sharing these extraordinary moments provides Soldiers with a sense of purpose and ambition.
"I'm giving my service to the United States," said Bentley. "I'm telling people stories. I'm telling the Army's story, the Soldier's story. I feel like my life has purpose, and the Army has provided that for me."
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