E O
FIC
OF
Winter Edition
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IN
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For members of the PA/VI community
R M AT
INSIDER
FO
NAVY IMAGERY
U S N AV Y
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NI L NISI VERUM
What’s in Store for
2013 703.614.9154
AMERICA’S NAVY: A GLOBAL FORCE FOR GOOD
Full story on page 8
DIRECTORS CORNER This edition of Navy Imagery Insider is focused on explaining a number of initiatives underway at CHINFO and NPASE designed to enhance the ability of Navy public affairs professionals to better communicate. The genesis behind this effort started when the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) asked then-Chief of Information Rear. Adm. Denny Moynihan what ideas CHINFO would have for improving the Navy’s outreach effort if additional funding became available. My response was simple, and I’ll paraphrase: “Sir, we do a number of things exceptionally well, but generally we are limited not by desire or talent, but by capability. We are too dependent on others to deliver our story. We need to develop capabilities that do a better job of leveraging technology to place our Sailors in living-rooms across America as frequently as possible and on mobile devices where an increasing number consume news and information.” OI-2 proposed a two-pronged plan to make a significant investment in live broadcast capabilities and an enterprise level mobile app for the Navy. The plan was briefed to CNO who supported the ideas and funded their creation. That was the easy part. Anyone can have an idea, but it is now more about who and the how, than what. NPASE is the lead on the broadcast systems; CHINFO has the lead to manage the Navy App in collaboration with the Navy team at DMA. During contracting and planning there were numerous issues that needed concurrence in order to develop a long term strategy. The most important were manning, training, maintenance, and lifecycle sustainment. While there are no simple answers to these challenges, I see this initiative as a new capability to help tell our story, better. It will take a team effort to make it work. Content is king, and in today’s environment the demand for timely and unique content requires us all to take a look at how we are doing business and to consider new alternatives to meet that demand. To summarize a quote from the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, “Some say why . . . I say why not.” There are many recent and past events where Sailors played a critical part in telling the story, like the Haiti earthquake and recovery, the tsunami in Japan and more recently Hurricane Sandy. Many of these events were covered extremely well, but we should continue to challenge ourselves to do even better. C. J. Madden, Dir. OI2
DIRECTOR DEPUTY DIRECTOR
Christopher Madden Cdr. Gary Ross
LAYOUT/ART Director Contributors
Tim Mazurek Lt. Mike Hatfield
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EDITORIAL Editor Staff Writers
Paul Taylor Lt. Cmdr. Chuck Abell Lt. Cmdr. Dave Luckett Oscar Sosa Damon Moritz MC1 Arif Patani
AMERICA’S NAVY: A GLOBAL FORCE FOR GOOD
Navy Office of Information Pentagon RM4B514 Washington, D.C. 20350-1200 Office: 703-614-9154 DSN: 224 Download Insider at: www.slideshare.net/NavyVisualNewsService http://issuu.com/NavyVisualNewsService
navymedia@navy.mil
Navy Live Get Your Voice Heard MC1 (SW/AW) Arif Patani What’s in the Navy Live blog for the MC or PAO out in the fleet you ask? The Navy Live blog is a place for stories of importance – stories that matter to the average everyday American. It’s a place where subject matter experts and more frequently our leadership share their command’s story firsthand, and it’s a place where the work of our MCs in print, still photo, video and other content types help produce a WELL-ROUNDED story. Whereas legacy platforms like Navy.mil are primarily intended to provide information one-way to key audiences, NavyLive is designed to engage audiences and open a two-way conversation — one of Chief of Information, Rear Adm. John Kirby’s top priorities. So what are we looking for? A blog post is a first-person perspective on an event or issue using unique, relevant, and timely content (emphasis on timely). The content should do a few things: PROMOTE SHARING: We want people to talk about and share our stories. PROMOTE DISCUSSION AMONG KEY AUDIENCES: The best communication products move people to action. Your blog should inspire those who see it to talk about it, to share it, and ultimately to act on it. RESONATES ON ALL NAVY SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS: The blog is only one of many social media platforms managed at CHINFO. We extend the reach of your content by sharing it on other Navy flagship sites like U.S. Navy Facebook and U.S. Navy Twitter. Your blog should inspire discussion among Navy’s followers on those platforms. A lot less rigid than news or feature stories, blog posts can be informal material or even short graphs with bullets. However, they need to focus on increasing understanding of the event or issue under discussion. Posted with related still and/or video content, the best blogs are multi-media products.
Our intent for the blog is to tell interesting and compelling stories about our people and our Navy to America. Right now the Navy Live blog reaches 50,000+ individuals during a given month and this number has the chance to increase exponentially when we share it with our 800,000+ fans on Facebook.
For those tackling a blog for the first time, it’s a good idea to approach it the way you approach writing a speech. You’re writing in the voice of your CO or commander; help him or her tell their stories.
For more information on writing blogs for Navy Live check out our best practices Tumbler account at http://usnavymedia.tumblr.com/ post/31874262274/how-to-write-a-navylive-blog
And that’s the most important thing to remember — the audience. Sometimes your focus is the Sailor and their families, and other times the American people.
We live in a pretty cool age as communicators where we can reach people anywhere, anytime at the click of a mouse. We also work for an organization doing amazing and innovative things every day. If you want to get your story out, Navy Live is a great vehicle to get it there.
There may be 5,000+ stories on any given aircraft carrier, but let’s face it – not all of them are interesting. People want to hear about the stuff that matters to them. They want to know their country’s Navy is out there protecting them!
Instruction Nugget 703.614.9154
If you have any questions, concerns or ideas for blogs please feel free to call us or e-mail anytime at usnsocialmedia@gmail.com, navymedia@navy.mil or 703-614-9154.
DoD Internet Services and Internet-Based Capabilities, DODI 8550.01. The do’s and don’ts when managing websites. Provides guidance on; establishing, operating, and maintaining DoD Internet services on unclassified networks. www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/855001p.pdf. AMERICA’S NAVY: A GLOBAL FORCE FOR GOOD
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It ain’t your sea-daddy or sea-momma’s
All Hands Magazine
…or is it? by Lt. Cdr. Dave Luckett
Rear Adm. John Kirby recently announced the return of All Hands Magazine (AHM) in an online format to Team Public Affairs. DMA-Navy will lead the AHM effort, but it will be most effective when it is a fleet product for Sailors by Sailors. The objective of the magazine’s return is to provide practical news and information to Sailors and their families. That was the same objective when the first “issue” of All Hands was printed as the Bureau of Navigation News Bulletin No. 1, Aug. 30, 1922 (www.navy.mil/allhands.asp#) How do you get your command’s story in AHM? Sailors need to take a holistic approach to telling stories, both in content and format. When producing stories, ask who or what is impacted by the subject of the story, who owns the policy or subject of the story, and who else is impacted by the story. When complete, it should present all perspectives using multiple mediums. Some stories
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may lend themselves to print and still imagery, while others may include print, video, stills, and graphics. You are closest to the story and know how best to tell it – push your team. AHM will be a little edgy in how it presents information and we’re willing to accept a level of risk in presenting stories that include Sailors’ opinions – positive and negative. We’re not here to embarrass Navy leaders, but it is important to begin and sustain open discussions on key topics. This transparency will add legitimacy and accountability. You should communicate with the AHM staff early when producing a story to ensure your team’s efforts are focused in the most productive direction.
AMERICA’S NAVY: A GLOBAL FORCE FOR GOOD
This is critical considering how many other demands you have on your time. The best POC for initial coordination is MCC Chris Tucker at 301-222-6397 or Christopher.tucker@dma.mil. AHM hit the fleet on www. navy.mil February 11. At the end of the day, content is king. Gather and produce content for AHM that you would consume and share with others. We will work with CHINFO OI-2 to explore ways to see your published content shared on the other Navy emerging media platforms, Navy-TV [see page 12] as well as marketing to external media outlets. Chiefs and LPOs need to view this outlet as a great training opportunity for your team. Push your teams to submit content, but you should ensure the writing submitted is quality writing that tells a complete story. As Rear Adm. Kirby said in his introductory video, “Submit your stories. All Hands On-Line is for Sailors by Sailors.”
navymedia@navy.mil
There’s a Navy app for that! by Christopher Madden
Some folks may be surprised to hear there is officially no such thing as a U.S. Navy app. Oh sure, there are many apps out there supporting various organizations and programs, but nothing to point to as the official flagship app for Navy content, until now. CHINFO and the folks at DMA public web are busily working to develop version 1.0 for delivery in early 2013. Our strategy is to develop a primary or parent app that delivers U.S. Navy news and information of value to the Sailor, their families and the American public. The app will be iPhone, iPad, Android, and Chrome compliant. Version 1.0 will 703.614.9154
leverage content from the RSS feeds produced from Navy.mil, top photos, top stories and headline news. Other features include: push alerts for breaking news, NAVADMINs and ALNAVs, shortcuts to Navy social media platforms, a Navy calendar of events to highlight important dates for Sailors, like selection board convening dates, evaluations and FITREP submission deadlines, along with outreach events supporting the calendar for America.
time-zones, but helps to illustrate the deployment of our ships while educating the general public about the strategic regions where we operate. The app will be available through a commercial link available on Navy.mil in full compliance with DOD Internet Services and Internet-Based Capabilities 8550.01. Our plan here is to develop an “App Locker” on the front of Navy.mil to showcase Navy sanctioned apps already developed at the command and installation level. If you know of an app supporting a Navy program please send us information so we can make it part of the locker.
Since the app will have its own content management system (CMS), it will be possible to ensure information is pushed selectively and updated regularly. For example, the Secretary of the Navy wishes to conduct a worldwide All Hands call, the CMS alert feature could send out reminders to tune into the Navy’s LiveStream™ Finally, we cannot improve without channel to listen or participate in a feedback, so the app will include a conversation with SECNAV. feedback mechanism for development of future updates, or just send us an email We have also taken the CNO’s strategic with your recommendations. We are crossroads map and adapted it into already drafting ideas for v2.0, so keep a product that not only helps track the feedback coming. AMERICA’S NAVY: A GLOBAL FORCE FOR GOOD
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Going Mobile means Going Secure too! By Lt. Cmdr. Chuck Abell
T
he Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) recently published policy for mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets which are in increasingly high demand for use when away from the traditional workplace. However, the biggest challenge is being able to use the devices to securely access content on a DoD network environment. The DoD Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) embedded on your common access card (CAC), which is already in use on PC’s and some BlackBerry devices, can now be used with smart phones and tablets. Here’s how!
There are two versions to consider. The first is the PKard reader from Thursby Software, priced from $149-$299 depending on the model of your iOS device, and connects to the 30 pin port on your iPad or iPhone. It uses an accompanying app to interface with the CAC reader and mobile device. Next is the baiMobile 3000MP SCR (Smart Card Reader) priced from $249 to $299. This device uses Bluetooth to connect to an Android, iPhone or iPad using a separate sled that holds your CAC. There is a need for an additional program like PKard browser app to interface, which will cost $119. To access your Outlook web access (OWA) NMCI account, you will need to acquire the Outlook Web App Mini for iPhone or iPad. DISA continues to run Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) and Security Requirements Guides (SRGs) and your IT or network professionals should check thoroughly to ensure your system requirements meet minimums for secure communication. We recommend that you talk with your local contracting technical representative (CTR) for up to date IT support before making this investment.
these devices. This is new technology, so there are still bugs to be worked out, for example, having to restart your iPad/iPhone periodically. However, we would argue that the advantages outweigh the aggravation, by giving you access to your e-mail and Navy.mil’s content management system (CMS) while away from the office to file stories and imagery.
Thursby PKard reader for use with iPad3 and CAC
For more information on getting plugged in to secure communications and mobile web browsing, check out these links: • http://iase.disa.mil/pki-pke/function_ pages/downloads/unclass-dod_pke_ quarterly _fall2012.pdf • http://iase.disa.mil/pki-pke/ • http://militarycac.com/mobile.htm • http://www.thursby.com/products/pkard_ ios.html
NPASE-Headquarters has had some experience with testing baiMobile 3000MP SCR
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AMERICA’S NAVY: A GLOBAL FORCE FOR GOOD
navymedia@navy.mil
OUTTAKES By Oscar Sosa
Digital Camera Technology is Affordable One of the biggest bang-for-the-buck investments the small PA shop can make is having an available, inexpensive point-and-shoot digital camera. A consumer-grade, single-lens reflex camera offers many more options, but is not always needed for basic photography support; awards, ribbon cuttings, interviews.
Your first consideration is the cameras megapixel rating. A 6-megapixel camera is good enough for snapshots or web use, however for publication-quality images you should look for at least a 12-megapixel camera. With today’s technology, you should be able to exceed 12 without breaking your budget. Most point-and-shoot cameras support some type of video capture. High resolution video is 1920x1080p and is the preferred video quality for broadcast and documentary use. However, 720p HD is more common in compact digital cameras and will work for most applications. Shooting HD video will also save on post-production, since we can upload it directly from the camera to the Navy’s social media sites with minimal post-production work. HD video is memory intensive, so make sure you purchase memory cards with at least 8-gigabytes of space and have at least three cards available. We recommend a zoom lens with at least a 35mm equivalent wide-angle and about a 150mm telephoto. Optical zoom produces better results over digital zoom. The wide angle is what you are most concerned with, since invariably your needs will rely less on zoom. The following chart compares the still and video resolutions for a few of the more reliable point-and-shoot cameras. Any of these cameras will produce publication-quality still images, news broadcast, and social media ready video. When using any camera consider the following to improve your content for publication. Don’t photograph subjects with security badges on uniforms. Don’t photograph people in front of windows. Pull your subject away from walls to prevent shadows from on-camera flash. Take photos from different angles. Keep moving. Fill the frame with your subject. Keep your backgrounds clean. Encourage wearing the Navy brand or uniforms during community service events. Oh! And always bring extra batteries and flash cards to your shoots. Camera
Megapixel
Video
Lens
Price
Fuji FinePix S4500
14.0
720p HD
24-720
$150 $200
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS
16.0
720p HD
24-720
$330 $350
Nikon Coolpix L810
16.0
720p HD
22.5-585
$200 $225
Pentax Optio WG-2
16.0
1080p HD
28-140
$250 $275
Samsung WB100
16.2
720p HD
22.3-580
$190 $225
Pentax X-5
16.0
1080p HD
22.3-580
$250 $275
703.614.9154
AMERICA’S NAVY: A GLOBAL FORCE FOR GOOD
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Broadcast capability overview By Damon Moritz
Photo by Damon Moritz
We live in the time of now. Our audience wants video on YouTube to load instantly. Studies show they aren’t even willing to wait two seconds for a video to play. With that in mind, why aren’t we going live? Nothing is more instant than live. Live is where the rest of the world is and here we are exporting… uploading… importing and waiting.
As many of you know, DVIDS is an Atlanta-based, Army-run, organization that provides connectivity between the military and the media. The service is delivered through a network of portable Ku-band satellite transmitters, IP based video transmissions and file-based video and photos. They have the facility and the staff to handle our needs all day, every day. Most importantly, they want to bring us aboard. So, let’s dive right in to the world of electronic news gathering, using our three tiered approach. We’re fielding: Tier One – Three Streambox Avenir man portable cellular transmitters; Tier Two – Four DVIDS Direct NORSAT terminals; Tier Three – a fully-equipped news van with a fixed 1.4 meter satellite. These have all been purchased and we’ve already fielded the Avenir’s and DVIDS Direct systems. The news van is expected by early summer 2013. Technology is one thing. Do we have a mission for live engagement? The answer is a resounding yes. In fact, we’re already doing it. We engage the public and the media in social media realms and we talk to the media on camera all the time.
This is why we have developed a multi-tiered live Through the DVIDS network, we can reach the world. We won’t be limited to the broadcast capability and are starting to field it (sorry national media or fleet concentration area media. We will be able to schedule and deliver sea goers, your time will come) with NPASE. video direct to the media in every state and outside our borders. Outreach no longer requires an admiral or seaman to travel to Middle America. We can transmit from the Fleetwide, we have a bandwidth issue. You see slow pier in San Diego to a station in New Hampshire. We can also take that video and push load times on NIPR terminals in the office and it to the Internet where we can engage in direct chat with the viewing audience. Most at sea. We have great computers, the software we importantly, we get b-roll. Video of ships transiting as well as aircraft taking off and need and the training to run everything at peak coming home from deployments is highly marketable. performance, but just try to move that 300 MB video file from Norfolk to the Pentagon or DMA Through Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, DVIDS has developed a and that is where the issue lies. The 30 minute to significant capability and Technical Operations Center (TOC). Beyond the ability to three hour window for exporting and transmitting handle technology, DVIDS can also market, track and report back on content usage. puts us behind the news cycle. This initial push for broadcast capability was funded as a one-time purchase. We will all So, to go live and alleviate the bandwidth issues, have to work together to keep it employed in order to justify sustained funding. we need to be creative and we need to outsource. We’re going to rely on civilian media proven NPASE has the lead working directly with CHINFO when developing the plan for technologies in cellular, Wi-Fi, Ethernet and satellite future manning and sustainment. We are also looking at other activities to assist with transmission and we’re going to point at Defense engineering and maintenance support. The key is to get out there and be seen. Visual Information Distribution System (DVIDS). 8
AMERICA’S NAVY: A GLOBAL FORCE FOR GOOD
navymedia@navy.mil
Tier 1 - Streambox Avenir The news van on your back By Damon Moritz
No one likes to be encumbered by bulky equipment. The Avenir is a backpackmounted, live, video transmission system. It requires no assembly and can connect to WiFi, Ethernet or cellular networks. The unit is a battery powered, light weight, device that is capable of delivering high quality, real-time HD/SD video. The mobility and performance of Avenir makes this system ideal for mobile HD/ SD newsgathering, sports and events, and emergency response. It is designed to shorten and streamline workflows for both live and recorded content, field editing tools including play/pause, trim to selection, file deletion, and file uploading within a single package. Within minutes of arriving on scene, an MC can begin transmitting to DVIDS and therefore reach the world. NPASE is now equipped with three Avenirs and each kit has several IMX batteries and cellular modems from Sprint, Verizon and AT&T to help garner as much bandwidth as possible. Transmitting full frame HD video can take 5-10 mb/s. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well it is to some degree. Ever try using your cell phone on a pier between two aircraft carriers with 5000 friends and family all sucking up the available cellular spectrum? Well that same cellular spectrum is where the Avenir goes for access. If you can’t connect or obtain 5-10 mb/s, but you can get 1 mb, you can scale back the quality of the video. Some video is better than no video. There are options to change the resolution, frame rate, data rate, interlacing and audio quality so that your video goes out. 703.614.9154
Photo credit: Left column, bottom photo by Mr. Damon Moritz; Right column, bottom and center photo by Mr. Damon Moritz. Left column, top and center photo by MCSN Diana Quinlan; Right column, top photo by MCSN Diana Quinlan.
Is this the right tool? Recently we tried the Avenir in Hawaii to cover the decommissioning of the USS Crommelin (FFG 37). While the Avenir worked at the NPASE detachment, it would not connect at the pier. There just wasn’t enough cellular connectivity. A subsequent test also showed a lack of cellular signal at the Arizona memorial.
AMERICA’S NAVY: A GLOBAL FORCE FOR GOOD
Following that, we used an Avenir to cover the final homecoming of USS Enterprise (CVN 65). The unit worked very well and we had a consistent data rate at about 1 mb/s. This required us to transmit a standard definition video signal to accommodate the slower data rate. The feed went from the pier, to DVIDS and then to the U.S. Navy Livestream channel. As each appliance is deployed and used we gain a better understanding about the geography and capability of the systems. Need a better signal? Then move to tier two – next page. 9
Tier Two - Bandwidth … Some Assembly Required Story and photos by Damon Moritz
The Defense Video and Imagery Distribution System’s mobile satellite, known as DVIDS Direct, will give a Navy public affairs unit the capability of providing U.S. news media with real-time, broadcast-quality video, photography and print products. Units like this have been deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, Haiti and other locations to support real world missions. It is a little bit more complicated than an Avenir, but far more reliable and robust once a modem lock is obtained.
located behind the neighboring ship. This was an issue we simply could not overcome and we fell back to the Avenir for support. Beyond photos and a compass, there are apps such as Dishpointer for your iOS or Android phones. These apps use the built-in camera, GPS and accelerometer to map the device location and orientation. Then they display a map of the sky you are pointing at with elevations and headings for specific satellites. Another consideration is radiation. There is a no-go cone of radiation danger in front of the dish when it is energized. So, location selection is paramount. Do not point the dish at people, pets or livestock.
This satellite system comes in three somewhat bulky cases and requires anywhere from 20-45 minutes to DVIDS Direct systems are not stand alone assemble. Step by step instructions and an SOP are systems. They have one major requirement – included, which are developed by the manufacturer and power. The power must be clean and stable. are very comprehensive. Once set up, the 40 kw Ku-band This means you need either a generator or satellite dish is ready to point into space. some sort of shore power to operate them. There really isn’t a portable battery that can Then the hard part starts, you need to lock run them reliably. The operator will need to your dish onto the EchoStar 9 satellite. power the laptop, modem, encoder, dish and Depending on where you are, the line of any peripherals such as lights, cameras or sight to the satellite could be at the horizon battery chargers that are necessary for the or almost directly overhead. You really have mission. to rely on simple things like a compass or a photo with the line of sight to help dial in With training, MCs can handle setting up the satellite. (Be careful when pointing at a and operating a DVIDS Direct system and satellite, you could cause interference on a the DVIDS Technical Operations Center television channel or other transmissions.) If (TOC) is great at troubleshooting any issues you are on a pier full of rebar, next to a ship that come up. or in another heavy metal environment, the compass may not function properly. NPASE-W recently carried a CNO’s All Hands call on board Naval Station San Diego. With This was the case at the homecoming for the some technical support from an experienced USS Enterprise (CVN 65). The rebar in the pier crew assigned to the 13th MEU out of Camp affected the compass as much as 45 degrees, Pendleton, the NPASE team was able to and no two compasses showed the same broadcast the event live. readings. When we did find the satellite, it was 10
AMERICA’S NAVY: A GLOBAL FORCE FOR GOOD
navymedia@navy.mil
Tier Three
News van
Road ready and fully self-sufficient By Damon Moritz
For the final tier in our broadcast capability we’re going all-in with a Ford E350 van with a satellite dish on the roof, HD encoders, video switchers and audio equipment inside.
A what? This is very similar to what your local affiliate or
national media outlet would bring on base to cover an event. They understand live broadcast television requires a reliable transmission method.
The truck will be easy to operate and no assembly required: point the dish, push a few buttons and it will find EchoStar 9 (DVIDS channel) or the right satellite to connect with specific media outlets.
The van will be made by the same people who build news vans for the civilian media. They have had decades of experience building trucks for people who use them nearly all day, every day. This van will be Sailor-ready.
Depending on the media’s capability, we may reach out directly to a network or affiliate. High end connectivity like this gives us the ability to reach any media outlet to conduct interviews.
In addition to a van and dish, the truck will house a generator, rack of equipment and monitors, cameras, cables, communication equipment and more.
Even when there are no interview subjects, simple dayto-day events such as ship deployments, homecomings and exercise activities will be of interest to the media, documentary producers and Navy leadership.
While the van will be capable of handling a four-camera shoot with video and audio switching, those complex productions will likely be the exception to the rule. Most live events will be conducted with a single-Sailor on the pier talking to media in his hometown. For the larger events, pre-recorded audio can be played out from an audio-board to aid in narration. There will also be two remotely controlled cameras and two shoulder mount ENG cameras along with wired headsets to allow the producer/director to communicate with the camera operators. 703.614.9154
There is a never ending stream of requests for all things grey, black, floating, submerging or flying. B-roll of Navy platforms is what helps the audience relate to what our subject matter experts are talking about. Without this b-roll, we lose the audience fairly quickly. This truck will be delivered to NPASE-East by early summer.
AMERICA’S NAVY: A GLOBAL FORCE FOR GOOD
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Pentagon Navy-TV Channel 302 By Damon Moritz
CHINFO is installing a dedicated television channel for the Navy What does this mean to you? First, Navy TV means that your stories, photos, b-roll, audience in the Pentagon. This channel will be a dedicated outlet delivering Navy news and information to leadership and their staffs. tweets and more will get even more face time with SECNAV, CNO, MCPON and all of their policy writers, action officers, budget planners and the thousands of people who are behind the scenes working hard to get you the equipment, training and money you need at the pointy end.
The turn-key solution is a new automated 24/7 HD station with professional motion graphics, scheduling software and integration with Navy social media channels (Facebook and Twitter). This will provide a format to show the latest video, photos and social media content to leadership without burdening computer network resources. In addition to file-based video, the system will also provide an outlet for live video whether it originates in the CHINFO video studio, the Pentagon auditorium or is passed through DVIDS from the fleet. All of the content will contain closed captioning. In concept the desire is to deliver 20-30 minutes of content daily with special events, training and a continuous feed from social media accounts. At the outset, the channel will be offered to the Pentagon reservation. This service will reach approximately 4,000 cable drops serving more than 26,000 government employees and service members. Downrange plans include extending the content to fleet concentration areas and delivering live feed capability to the Direct To Sailor (DTS) satellite TV system. This will mean CNO and MCPON can have more frequent and timely contact with you and your command. It will be a method for a virtual fleet-wide, all-hands call. The feed could also be delivered over the NIPR net using the Global Content Delivery Service streaming video service which is operated by DISA. 12
AMERICA’S NAVY: A GLOBAL FORCE FOR GOOD
navymedia@navy.mil
The KIOSK Story and photos by Oscar Sosa
The new Navy kiosk located in the Pentagon, on the fourth deck A-ring apex between corridors three and four, is the latest venue to showcase content from the fleet. The display incorporates Navy history and heritage with modern technology. Three flat-screen television sets rotate a series of still images and video received by Navy Media Content Services (OI2), with the largest of the three screens airing Navy-TV, Pentagon channel 302. Within the display are historic artifacts, including planking removed from USS Constitution and a World War II-era spyglass and signal light. The display will be updated with multimedia productions and Navy.mil photos of the day produced by our mass communication specialists. Artifacts will be replaced within the display as they become available from various sources, including Navy History and Heritage Command, private individuals and naval archives. The display is in a heavily traveled part of the Pentagon, where tour groups, journalists, Pentagon employees and Navy leadership frequently pass. The kiosk is a perfect outlet for multimedia presentations, slideshows, picture stories, feature productions and any other visual content that tells the Navy story. If you are ever in the Pentagon, be sure to stop and see “your” work in action.
703.614.9154
AMERICA’S NAVY: A GLOBAL FORCE FOR GOOD
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and th e by Lt. Mike Hatfield
I
magine waking up to the news that a zombie apocalypse has begun, and you are in charge of mounting a military response. You have very little time to react and even less time to gather data before reacting. It’s a zombie attack, after all. You need to know what capabilities you have, where they are located and how equipped, trained and ready for battle they are at this moment. The Defense Readiness Reporting System (DRRS) is the defense department’s one-stop shop (okay, database) for answering these questions. DRRS-N is Navy specific. Think of it like a stoplight with red, yellow and green lights representing each unit’s readiness in key functional areas. Since you know you’ll need crossbow units to mow down the initial wave of undead, you look at DRRS-N and find five of ten crossbow units 14
green for ordnance, they have lots of crossbows and arrows, but they are red for training…they can’t shoot. The other five teams are green in training but yellow in ordnance. So you issue the order to have the supplies from the bad shooters given to the good shooters and deploy your teams to lay the anti-apocalyptic smack down. Navy Public Affairs Support Element (NPASE) is unique in the Navy PA enterprise as the only CHINFO unit with its own direct reporting to DRRS-N. In the past, NPASE had to rely on qualitative data, or opinions based on observation, for readiness assessments. This meant if zombies mined the strait of Norrath and NPASE deployed on a mine countermeasure ship to gather imagery of demining ops, the only way NPASE could have assessed its capabilities was to ask the OIC, Chief or LPO for their opinion of whether or not the team was ready. There’s nothing wrong with doing business that way in the short term, but by formally reporting readiness in DRRS-N, NPASE speaks the same language as the rest of the Navy in terms of readiness. Reporting via DRRS-N helps NPASE justify manning, equipment and budget requests by showing quantitative data to support decision making, like any other operational command. How does NPASE gather the quantitative data in to update DRRS-N in the first place? The answer is a little complex…but let’s get back to the zombies. The first wave of zombies was mowed down by your crossbow teams. The demining operation is complete, and we now have awesome
AMERICA’S NAVY: A GLOBAL FORCE FOR GOOD
navymedia@navy.mil
imagery of zombie parts flying everywhere and sea lanes wide open again. There’s a lull in the zombie spawning giving you time to assess lessons learned and regroup for the next wave. You’ve learned you have to hit the zombies squarely between the eyes or otherwise incapacitate their brains in order to snuff them out. So you develop a Navy Mission Essential Task (NMET) called Zombie Snuffing, which you will train to in order to make sure your second wave of deployers are ready.
Additionally, ASM can track things like immunizations, passports, and licenses or anything else you might need to ensure you are ready to deploy. ASM coordinates its data with other authoritative data sources such as Navy Knowledge Online, Fleet Training Management and Planning System (FLTMPS), Total Workforce Management System etc.
So once you have completed all the training requirements to achieve the certification of Master Zombie Killer, ASM will send this information to FLTMPS and show that you now hold this certification. By using the MC PQS, Non-Resident Training Courses, On the Job Training and NPASE uses NMETs to quantitatively determine readiness for a mission. performance review tasks, NPASE can objectively know whether or not each of its Sailors and SEAOPDETs are manned, equipped and trained For example, a DDG Sea Operational Detachment (SEAOPDET) Sailor deploying to conduct anti-zombie ops off the coast of Azeroth will need for their assigned mission. to have the capability to shoot nighttime video and photography, since many zombie events happen after dusk. So prior to deployment, NPASE While the fictional zombies still rely on purely qualitative data to focus their training efforts (“Does Zombie drag leg good?” asks zombie N7), can assign nighttime video/photo capability as an NMET and train to NPASE is using state-of-the art training tools focused on each Sailor that standard. and how their training aligns with the mission. The system NPASE uses to track each individual’s training is called By adopting the same tools used by the operational units throughout Advanced Skills Management (ASM). Think of ASM like a digital PQS the rest of DOD, NPASE speaks the same respected language and is and task list database. When you log into ASM you see you have been able to ensure that readiness reporting is accurate, timely and above all assigned a number of training tasks and events which will prepare you useful to mission planning and execution. for your upcoming deployment. By knowing exactly which NMETs are needed for your upcoming deployment, ASM creates a tailored training plan individually suited to you and your mission.
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! e r a w e b s e i b m o Z AMERICA’S NAVY: A GLOBAL FORCE FOR GOOD
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AP Style Guide
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7 Deadly Sins (Back to Basics) Internet vs. WWW It’s Internet, not internet. You should capitalize Internet, just as you should capitalize World Wide Web. Upon second reference, the Net and the Web are acceptable. But don’t confuse the two. The Web exists on the Internet, just as other applications, like email, exist on the Internet. Titles Capitalized when used directly before a person’s name, such as Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert. When the title follows the name, it is not capitalized and is set off by commas.
State Abbreviations AP style does not use the postal codes used when you mail a letter. It’s Nashville, Tenn., not Nashville, TN. Years ago I photocopied the list of state abbreviations from my stylebook and it always occupies a spot in the corner of my office bulletin board for quick reference.
Over v. more than Over refers to spatial relationships: The clock hangs over the mantle. More than is preferred with numerals: There were more than 1,000 people at the event. They raised more than $1 million.
Numbers Write out numbers up to nine and use numerals for 10 and above. Months and seasons When using a month with a specific date, abbreviate only Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov. and Dec., and spell out when using alone or with just a year. Hint: The months never abbreviated fall chronologically and are five letters or fewer – March, April, May, June and July. The seasons – winter, spring, summer and fall – are never capitalized.
United States, U.S. An easy way to remember the difference: United States as a noun; U.S. as an adjective. The United States is a country; I travel with my U.S. documents.
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Schedule of Events
CHINFO All Hands Call | Feb. 25th, 2013 @ 11:00 WEB-EX Event Center Log-in information will be provided shortly before event. DOD Visual Information Production Awards for 2012 www.dinfos.osd.mil/events The 2012 Military Photographer of the Year 19-20 March 2013. The 2012 Military Graphic Artist of the Year 18 March 2013. The 2012 Military Videographer of the Year 21 March 2013. National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Conferences April 6 – 11, 2013 Exhibits April 8 – 11 Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada USA www.nabshow.com/2013 Photoshop World Conference and Expo www.photoshopworld.com Orlando, Fla. April 17-19, 2013 21st Annual Military Photography Workshop 16 to 22 June 2013 Deadline for applications to attend is April 19, 2013 For more information on eligibility e-mail: dinfosphotographyworkshop@dinfos.dma.mil
LINKS to KNOW
Digital Photography Tips & Tutorials Great site for photography basics, tips, photography e-books, and free step-by-step tutorials. www.exposureguide.com Go here for photography tips and techniques, photography industry news, and information on top selling cameras, lenses, software and more. www.picturecorrect.com
Now You Can Shift the Perspective of Your Lytro Photos Lytro made a name for itself with its shoot-firstfocus-later photos, by a new kind of photography that captures an entire “light field” of a scene. Now, Lytro is going beyond just refocusing, enabling users to shift the perspective of their photos. mashable.com/2012/11/15/lytro-perspective-shift/
All references to commercially available sites and services are provided for informational purposes only, without Department of the Navy endorsement. 16
AMERICA’S NAVY: A GLOBAL FORCE FOR GOOD
navymedia@navy.mil
Photo by MC2 Kenneth Abbate
Cut & Fold Behind The Scenes Behind the scenes video of a Photoshop cut and fold creation, from shooting to final photo. The post production took about 15 hours, the clip contains a selection of that process played back at 80 times normal speed. youtu.be/TiCLMePjK-Y
The Network For Photographers Here is a new site where you can share photography experiences at all levels. Integrated with FLICKR you can also transfer to picturesocial.com and take advantage of unlimited storage. www.picturesocial.com