R 041045Z OCT 23
MARADMIN 509/23
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC CD WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/FISCAL YEAR 2024 DEFENSE INFORMATION SCHOOL COURSE DATES//
REF/A/NAVMC 3500.9C/01 NOV 2018//
NARR/REF A IS THE COMMUNICATION STRATEGY AND OPERATIONS TRAINING AND READINESS MANUAL//
POC/TRAINING SECTION/MARINE DETACHMENT FORT MEADE/TEL: 301-677-7201 OR 301-677-5186/EMAIL: MARDET_TRAINING@DINFOS.EDU//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. This is a Marine Detachment Fort Meade (MARDET Fort Meade) and Communication Directorate (CD), Headquarters Marine Corps, coordinated message.
2. Purpose. The purpose of this MARADMIN is to announce the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Second Quarter Defense Information School (DINFOS) course dates and provide guidance on a new student nomination process. This MARADMIN is only for FY24 second quarter courses, a separate MARADMIN will be released at a later date for the remainder of FY24. Class dates in the following paragraphs are listed in the student registrar module of the Marine Corps Training Information Management System (MCTIMS).
3. Leaders at all levels are encouraged to stress the requirement of attending these courses and their effect on promotion and career viability. Timely registration will prevent cancellation of classes and ensure that the Fleet Marine Force, supporting establishment, and individual Marine training requirements are met. Participation in these skills progression and enhancement courses is critical to retaining funding for these curricula and affords opportunity to master 2000 level events in accordance with reference (a).
4. Nominations and Registration
4.A. Course attendance is limited to active-duty Marines in the Communication Strategy and Operations (COMMSTRAT) 45XX Occupational Field and 1000 Series Government Civilians.
4.B. Marines within the reserve component should contact the Marine Forces Reserve formal training manager at COMM (504) 697-7316 or (504) 697-7305.
4.C. Using the Microsoft SharePoint site listed in paragraph 4.d. below, COMMSTRAT Training Chiefs or COMMSTRAT Staff Non-Commissioned Officers-In-Charge will submit all course nominations. As part of the process, a COMMSTRAT Visual Information Officer (VIO) will verify course prerequisites in accordance with this message. Once prerequisites are verified by a VIO, the nominating unit’s COMMSTRAT leadership will approve each nomination. Once a COMMSTRAT Director, Officer-In-Charge, or Commanding Officer has reviewed and approved each nomination, the unit will submit the nominee.
4.D. Units will submit course nominations using the Microsoft SharePoint site available at Https:(slash)(slash)e.afit.edu/1bbgmm8
4.E. Units and individuals should not register in MCTIMS. Entries of this kind will be deleted without notice.
4.F. The MARDET Fort Meade training section is responsible for screening all nominations, including waiver requests, and selecting Marines for courses. Upon selection, MARDET Fort Meade will register course attendees within MCTIMS and the Army Training Requirements and Resources System (ATRRS). At no time should a Marine or unit contact the DINFOS registrar, the primary point of contact for all Marine Corps DINFOS allocations is MARDET Fort Meade.
4.G. Upon selection, MARDET Fort Meade will notify parent commands of their Marine’s selection and provide amplifying guidance, as needed.
4.H. Guidance on nominations for FY24 first quarter courses was provided via separate correspondence.
4.I. Second quarter nominations must be submitted via the site listed above in paragraph 4.d. By 13 October 2023. Timelines for third and fourth quarter course nominations will be provided via separate correspondence.
4.J. A monthly teams meeting will be held the second Wednesday of each month at 1700 EST for Fleet-Wide COMMSTRAT Training Chiefs, SNCOICs, VIOs, and other COMMSTRAT Leadership. The teams meeting will be jointly hosted by the Communication Directorate and MARDET Fort Meade and will cover allocation distribution, school seat usage, and other matters pertaining to nominations and allocation usage. Further information will be provided via separate correspondence.
5. DINFOS courses
5.A. Public Affairs Communication Strategy Qualification Course (PACS-Q), Course Identification Code (CID) A18DCA2
5.A.1. PACS-Q is a 9-week, resident, formal entry-level Public Affairs training course. Graduates from this course will be capable of performing the basic duties of Department of Defense (DoD) Military Public Affairs Practitioners. Instruction focuses on the foundational elements of the communication planning process, principles, and techniques associated with implementing effective communication strategies, and the processes involved in integrating communication into military planning and operations.
5.A.2. Service prerequisites. Nominees must be one of the following: Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 4591 Gunnery Sergeant-Master Gunnery Sergeant, 4503 Warrant Officer One-Chief Warrant Officer Four, 4502 Second Lieutenant-Major, or 10XX Series Civilians (GS 7-15) serving in the operating forces or supporting establishment.
5.A.3. FY24 second quarter classes (Read in five columns):
Class Report date Start date End date Seat Allocation
020 2024-01-16 2024-01-17 2024-03-21 4
5.B. Public Affairs Communication Strategy Qualification Course–Distance Learning (PACS-Q-DL), CID N/A
5.B.1. PACS-Q-DL is a 26-week, two-phase, blended non-resident and resident, formal entry-level Public Affairs training course. Graduates from this course will be capable of performing the basic duties of DoD military public affairs practitioners. Instruction focuses on the foundational elements of the communication planning process, principles, and techniques associated with implementing effective communication strategies, and the processes involved in integrating communication into military planning and operations.
5.B.2. Training methodology. PACS-Q-DL is offered as a distance learning program that has two phases. Phase one uses anon-resident, online learning system that follows a strictly regimented, instructor-led, interactive training curriculum for 24 Weeks. Phase two is a 2-week resident program and is conducted at DINFOS. All costs associated with phase two attendance are the responsibility of the submitting command. Students are expected to keep course tracks between phases one and two (e.g., phase one class 010 corresponds to phase two class 010).
5.B.3. Service prerequisites. 10XX Series Civilians serving in the operating forces or supporting establishment.
5.B.4. FY24 second quarter phase one classes (Read in five columns):
Class Report date Start date End date Seat Allocation
020 2024-01-03 2024-01-03 2024-06-26 1
5.B.5. FY24 second quarter phase two classes (read in five columns):
Class Report date Start date End date Seat Allocation
010 2024-08-11 2024-08-12 2024-08-23 1
020 2024-09-08 2024-09-09 2024-09-20 1
5.C. Visual Information Management (VIM), CID A18M6N2
5.C.1. VIM is a 17-training day, resident, formal skills progression training course which provides in-depth, intermediate-level knowledge and skills in the duties required to implement and manage an organizational Visual Information (VI) program, and provides the knowledge and skills required to plan and manage VI and combat camera forces in support of military operations. Subjects covered are DoD VI program & policy, local budget and equipment lifecycle management, VI training and implementation plans, and operational planning.
5.C.2. Service prerequisites. Nominees must be one of the following: MOS 45XX Sergeant-Master Gunnery Sergeant, 4503 Warrant Officer One-Chief Warrant Officer Two, 4502 Second Lieutenant-Lieutenant Colonel, or 10XX Series Supervisory Civilians (GS 7-13) serving in the operating forces or supporting establishment.
5.C.3. FY24 second quarter classes (Read in five columns):
Class Report date Start date End date Seat Allocation
030 2024-01-17 2024-01-18 2024-02-09 7
040 2024-02-20 2024-02-21 2024-03-15 7
5.D. Digital Multimedia Course (DMC), CID A18T4Z2
5.D.1. DMC is a 7-week, resident, formal skills progression training course that provides intermediate-level graphic design and multimedia knowledge and skills to fulfill the duties of a multi-disciplinary assignment in public affairs and communication in support of a commander's intent. Students enrolled should arrive at DINFOS with prior knowledge in graphic design and multimedia, as the course builds on students’ ability to create and integrate text, graphics, sound, animation, and full-motion video into multimedia products. The course teaches students advanced techniques on how to edit, design, manage, and archive digital imaging, graphic design, and multimedia files. Students use software to create, manage, and render the following: graphic designs, multi-page layouts, video productions, online content, and interactive multimedia solutions. DMC also includes theoretical and working instruction of accessioning (Archive management), communications, color theory, color management principles, and awareness of emerging technologies for immersive interactive media. the course emphasizes DoD policies and instructions relative to ethics and the use of computer-generated and edited images.
5.D.2. School prerequisites. Prerequisites for DMC cannot be waived. This course is open to military and civilian personnel with a fundamental knowledge of, and currently involved in, daily operations in the VI or public affairs functional areas. A fundamental knowledge is defined as one year of experience in the fleet marine force, including operational skills in the following types of software: raster-based, vector-based, and digital page layout. Experience using these fundamental skills is necessary to prepare students for this fast-paced, intermediate-level course. Students must have a vision id prior to arriving at DINFOS Students must have the ability to use a digital camera and add metadata to digital files.
5.D.3. Service prerequisites. Nominees must be one of the following: MOS 4512 Corporal-Sergeant, 4591 Staff Sergeant, or 10XX Series Civilians (GS 7-11) serving in the operating forces or supporting establishment. Must have at least one year of fleet/field experience consistently producing graphic products. MOS is waiverable for highly skilled 4541 and 4571 marines.
5.D.4. FY24 second quarter classes (Read in five columns):
Class Report Date Start Date End Date Seat Allocation
010 2024-03-05 2024-03-06 2024-04-25 11
5.E. Intermediate Photojournalism Course (IPC), CID A1843E2
5.E.1. IPC is an 8-week, resident, formal skills progression training course that provides the knowledge and skills necessary to plan, produce, and execute intermediate-level photojournalism and apply communication techniques in support of military public affairs, VI products, and documentation missions in order to effectively meet commander’s intent. The course educates photographers and journalists in established communication theories and provides training in current best practices of photojournalism so that graduates will be effective multi-platform communicators for their commands. Areas of instruction include visual and written communication theory, writing and photography interrelationships, news and narrative writing, design principles, and intermediate photographic equipment and techniques to include electronic imaging, desktop publishing, mirrorless cameras, image transmission, and archiving.
5.E.2. School prerequisites. Must have at least one year of fleet/field experience consistently producing photojournalism and photography-based products within the year prior to attendance of IPC. Waivers may be considered for DINFOS graduates from non-photography courses provided their command documents that they have two years’ On-the-Job Training (OJT) experience consistently producing photojournalism and photography-based products within the year prior to attendance of IPC.
5.E.3. Service prerequisites. Nominees must be one of the following: MOS 4541 Corporal-Sergeant, 4591 Staff Sergeant-Gunnery Sergeant, or 10XX Series Civilians (GS 7-11) serving in the operating forces or supporting establishment. MOS is waiverable for highly skilled 4512 and 4571 marines.
5.E.4. FY24 second quarter classes (Read in five columns):
Class Report Date Start Date End Date Seat Allocation
020 2024-03-10 2024-03-11 2024-05-06 4
5.F. Intermediate motion media course (IMMC), CID A18KCU2
5.F.1. IMMC is a 7-week, resident, formal skills progression training course where graduates achieve an intermediate-level of competence for video production and documentation of military events and features. IMMC provides the intermediate knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties required for VI production assignments supporting video documentation of training and operations, public affairs, joint operations, and studio missions throughout the Armed Forces. Classroom instruction includes training in both written and visual communication. Prospective students should have a working understanding of adobe premiere, audition, after effects, and photoshop. Students will create products that incorporate video, audio, lighting, and motion graphics design elements into both non-narrative and narrative formats.
5.F.2 School prerequisites. Must have at least one year of field experience consistently producing video-based products within the year prior to attendance of IMMC. Waivers may be considered for DINFOS graduates from non-videography courses provided their command documents that they have two years of OJT experience consistently producing videography-based products, with at least one year the year prior to attendance of IMMC.
5.F.3. Service prerequisites. Nominees must be one of the following: MOS 4571 Corporal-Sergeant or 10XX Series Civilians (GS 7-11) serving in the operating forces or supporting establishment. MOS is waiverable for highly skilled 4512 and 4541 marines.
5.F.4. FY24 second quarter classes (Read in five columns):
Class Report Date Start Date End Date Seat Allocation
020 2024-01-24 2024-01-25 2024-03-15 5
030 2024-03-21 2024-03-22 2024-05-10 5
5.G. Mass communication foundations-writing-distance learning (MCF-W-DL), CID A18M7l2
5.G.1. MCF-W-DL is a 12-training day, distance learning, formal skills progression training course for MOS 45XX Private-Staff Sergeant. MCF-W-DL builds on the basic writing skills students learned in mass communication foundations. Students will learn and apply elements of nonfiction writing and storytelling techniques to write engaging narratives to further overall DoD themes and messaging objectives. Using a student-centered writer’s workshop format, students will develop and foster the writing skills needed to communicate themes through nonfiction stories. To ensure they have credible information, students will also learn and apply research methods, interviewing, and reporting techniques. Students will focus on consistently following the writing process and developing sustainable writing skills. Instruction includes case studies, mini-lessons, and active writing sessions infused with frequent discussion, coaching and feedback, editing time, and revision sessions designed to improve students’ writing skills. they will practice writing clearly and concisely with emphasis on story purpose and concept, narrative organization and structure, and applying techniques such as drawing an audience into a narrative, identifying and creating character and story arcs, and delivering satisfying conclusions. The course culminates with students writing a nonfiction narrative to engage an audience in support of DoD messages and commander’s intent. This course is distance learning, and the student remains at parent command for the entirety of the course.
5.G.2. Service prerequisites. Nominees must be one of the following: MOS 45XX Private-Staff Sergeant serving in the operating forces or supporting establishment. If selected, MARDET Fort Meade operations sections will contact parent commands Regarding additional administrative course requirements.
5.G.3. FY24 second quarter classes (Read in five columns):
Class Report date Start date End date Seat Allocation
030 2024-01-17 2024-01-17 2024-02-01 5
040 2024-03-05 2024-03-05 2024-03-21 5
5.H. Intermediate Public Affairs specialist course (IPASC), CID A18DCG2
5.H.1. IPASC is a 2-week, resident, formal skills progression training course that provides continuing intermediate-level Public Affairs training. Students are immersed in a scenario to learn to solve a communication problem. Students will continuously apply the research, planning, implementation, and evaluation process to determine the relevant audience, the appropriate platform for engagement, and the appropriate command messages. Students learn how to counsel commanders on information and communication matters by advising subject matter experts on how to engage the public, preparing them for the engagement, and providing a post engagement analysis of the subject matter expert’s performance. This course is designed as the primary course to replace PACS-Q for enlisted marines.
5.H.2. Service prerequisites. Nominees must be one of the following: MOS 45XX Sergeant-Gunnery Sergeant or 1035 Series Civilians (GS 7-11) serving in the operating forces or supporting establishment. Rank requirement waiverable for highly qualified 45XX Corporals.
5.H.3. FY24 second quarter classes (Read in five columns):
Class Deport Date Start Date End Date Seat Allocation
030 2024-01-28 2024-01-29 2024-02-09 7
040 2024-03-10 2024-03-11 2024-03-22 7
5.I. Joint Intermediate Public Affairs Course (JIPAC), CID A18DC32
5.I.1. JIPAC is a 27-training day, resident, formal skills progression training course that offers operational-level communication training in a demanding academic program designed for students to think about the public affairs and communication Strategy and operations profession apart from the daily rigors of supporting an operational mission. Student focus is on research, planning, and analysis; strategic thinking; and globally integrated operations. JIPAC will challenge students to expand their knowledge of issues and crisis management in global operations and enhance their strategic thinking and planning capabilities. Through a five-phased approach, this course reshapes how public affairs and communication strategy professionals think: instructors direct students to move beyond a traditional view of tactics within operations and instead conduct research, analysis and execution of a data-driven strategic plan incorporating multiple layers of communication capabilities. Students apply lessons to a scenario-based exercise and a home station project. Topic areas include communication research and planning, strategic foresight and analysis, inter-organizational cooperation, information-related capabilities, non-DoD agencies, ethics, cultural influences on communication, and operations and planning.
5.I.2. School prerequisites. Students must have previously attended Public Affairs Qualification Course (PAQC) or PACS-Q course or provide a letter from both the nominee’s COMMSTRAT Director/OIC and Unit Commander: (a) validating the nominee has five years in the COMMSTRAT field and (b) justifying the nominee’s need for the following advanced core competencies: communication capabilities; strategic thinking; research, planning, and analysis; military operational art. The letter must be submitted to MARDET Fort Meade as part of the course nomination process.
5.I.3. Service prerequisites. Nominees must be one of the following: 4591 Gunnery Sergeant-Master Gunnery Sergeant, 4502 Captain-Lieutenant Colonel, or 1035 Series Supervisory Civilians (GS 11-15) serving in the operating forces or supporting establishment. Waiverable for highly qualified 4502 marines (Career designated First or Second Lieutenant).
5.I.4. There are no FY24 second quarter classes being offered for JIPAC.
5.J. Joint Contingency Public Affairs Course (JCPAC), CID A18DC42
5.J.1. JCPAC is a 2-week, resident, formal skills progression training course that provides intermediate-level public affairs knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of a public affairs/communication strategy practitioner at the operational level. Students will receive training in communication analysis and plans in support of the commander’s objective: provide public affairs in theater and provide public affairs in the joint operational area.
5.J.2. School prerequisites. Students must have graduated from one of the following courses: JSPAC, JSEPAC, IPASC, PAOQC, PAQC, PAQCS-DL-NR/R, PACS-Q, or PAQC-Q-NR/R.
5.J.3. Service prerequisites. Nominees must be one of the following: 4591 Staff Sergeant-Master Sergeant, 4503 Chief Warrant Officer Two-Four, 4502 First Lieutenant-Major, or 1035 Series Supervisory Civilians (GS 9-15) serving in the operating forces or supporting establishment.
5.J.4. FY24 second quarter classes (Read in five columns):
Class Report Date Start Date End Sate Seat Allocation
020 2024-01-21 2024-01-22 2024-02-02 5
030 2024-03-24 2024-03-25 2024-04-05 4
6. Coordinating instructions
6.1. Funding
6.1.A. All active-duty Marine seats are funded by Training and Education Command (TECOM) formal schools training branch unless otherwise noted in the course descriptions.
6.1.B. All government civilian seats will be command-funded or through Community of Interest (COI) training funds. Government civilians should contact their COI representative to determine availability of COI training funds.
6.1.C. Funding letters. Once MARDET Fort Meade registers a student in MCTIMS, parent commands may generate a funding letter from MCTIMS. Prior to courses, a welcome email with a funding letter attached will be sent to the student and parent command.
6.1.D. TECOM will not fund rental cars for any course.
6.2. Mode of travel. Commercial air directed to either Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) or Washington-Reagan Airport (DCA). Do not use any other airport as TECOM worldwide travel will not approve other airports in the area.
6.3. Lodging
6.3.A. Due to barracks capacity limitations, fleet returnee Marines will stay at the Candlewood Suites aboard Fort Meade. This is the directed lodging facility and is TECOM funded. In some cases, Marines will be booked two to a room. The Candlewood Suites is located at 4690 Cooper Avenue, Fort Meade, MD 20755.
6.3.B. MARDET Fort Meade staff will coordinate rooms for each course attendee and confirmation numbers will be provided in the welcome email sent to all attendees and their parent commands. there is a shuttle bus service that services the entire base for student use.
6.4. Reporting requirements
6.4.A. Parent commands are responsible for providing a FITREP for all Sergeants and above prior to reporting for courses longer than 30 days. All Sergeants and above will receive an academic FITREP beginning on the date of their arrival or convening date whichever is later and ending on the course graduation date.
6.4.B. Parent commands are responsible for providing a JEPES occasion for all Corporals and below prior to reporting for courses longer than 30 days. All Corporals and below will receive A JEPES reporting occasion upon graduation.
6.4.C. Parent commands will ensure students arrive on the designated report date. Travel must be completed No Later Than (NLT) the day prior to the convening date of the course. All Marines will report to MARDET Fort Meade at 0700 on the course convening date for in-processing. Course instruction will begin NLT 0750 on the convening date.
6.4.D For courses that are 30 days or more in length, the Marine will report in the Service Alpha Uniform. For courses less than 30 days, they will report in the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform-Woodland Pattern.
6.4.E An official height and weight will be conducted by MARDET Fort Meade within three days of arrival, regardless of course length. Marines not within Marine Corps height and weight standards will be returned to their parent command.
6.4.F. All students must arrive with a printed copy of their TAD orders from their parent command and a copy of their approved DTS orders (Authorization).
6.5. Uniforms and Civilian Attire
6.5.A. For courses more than 30 days in length (IPC, IMMC, DMC, PACS-Q) the following uniforms are required: Service Alphas, Service Charlies (Seasonal, 1 March - 15 November), Woodland Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform, Marine Corps Physical Fitness Uniform (Green shorts, green sweat top/bottom, running suit top/bottom, and a yellow glow belt).
6.5.B. For courses less than 30 days in length (VIM, IPASC, JIPAC, JCPAC) the following uniforms are required: Service Bravos (Seasonal, 15 October - 15 April), Service Charlies (Seasonal, 1 March - 15 November), Woodland Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform, Marine Corps Physical Fitness uniform (Green shorts, green sweat top/bottom, running suit top/bottom, and a yellow glow belt).
6.5.C. Course may also require students to visit off-post locations. Students will ensure they have appropriate professional civilian attire for such occasions. Professional civilian attire is business casual and includes slacks (Not denim), a collared or button shirt, belt, and appropriate footwear (not tennis shoes).
6.5.D. Parent commands will ensure their Marine’s uniforms are serviceable and within standards prior to the Marine’s departure. Marines with unserviceable uniform(s) will be required to replace or repair upon arrival.
6.6. Commands should not nominate personnel whose medical, dental, or legal readiness will negatively affect their ability to complete intended training or exceeds MARDET Fort Meade’s capacity for medical or administrative support. Missed training days will likely result in a Marine being dropped from the training course.
6.7. Commands must only nominate Marines who can attend training and are not expected to be otherwise engaged for the duration of the course. This requirement includes distance learning courses.
6.8. All nominees are required to possess a Government Travel Charge Card.
6.9. All Marine students, regardless of rank and course length, will participate in MARDET Fort Meade physical training evolutions as directed.
6.10. All Marine students, regardless of rank and course length, are subject to assigned duty while attached to MARDET Fort Meade.
6.11. Commands who desire selected course nominees be disenrolled from a course must submit a written request to MARDET Fort Meade NLT 60 days prior to the course report date. The request must originate from the supervisor identified in the course nomination process and include a justification for the disenrollment request. No-shows and disenrollments which result in the Marine Corps losing valuable training seats will be reported to the Commanding General, TECOM for further disposition.
7. Release authorized by SES April L. Langwell, Director of Communication, Communication Directorate, Headquarters Marine Corps.//