Advance Your Skills In
Broadcasting

Bring a feeling of home to the fleet and field by providing stateside radio and television programming, as well as communicating Department of Defense policies, priorities, programs, goals and missions, to those serving outside the continental United States.
Placeholder

Video Script Formatting Template

Template
1 min
Use this template to properly format a single column script for a visual media news story.

What's New

Coast Guard Cmdr. Timothy Cronin, deputy chief of enforcement for the Coast Guard 7th District, speaks to South Florida media outlets during the offload of approximately eight tons of seized cocaine from the Coast Guard Cutter Bernard C. Webber to Coast Guard Base Miami Beach on June 13, 2016.

Write Better Feature Headlines

Article
2 min
lighting-video-basics-hero

Blank Slate: Lighting for Videos

Article
4 min
video-editing-techniques-hero

Blank Slate: Video Editing Techniques

Article
8 min
Explore More

Explore by Subject

All Subjects

Learn From These Lessons

View All
An illustration of an interview style podcast in session with the text AFN Radio and stars added.

A Leadership Podcast That Leads by Example

Case Study
3 min
Learn how AFN Radio and DMA found a successful interview-style format with their podcast, The Leadership List.
Close Up Lens Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

Leave Them Laughing! Humor Makes the Spot Memorable

Case Study
8 min
Learn how MCC Mike DiMestico used comedic techniques to create a memorable spot on Operational Security.
Rear Adm. Edward Cashman Conducts a Radio Interview

Let Your Subjects Do the Talking

Case Study
10 min
Study this technique of letting your subjects get the message out in an informal yet informative tone.
The camera of U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Deven Schultz, 17th Training Wing Public Affairs broadcast journalist records an interview with Tech. Sgt. Latosha Enoch, 17th Training Support Squadron military training flight chief, in the Military Training building, on Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Aug. 4, 2020. Schultz collected historical documentation of how the different units around base responded to COVID-19. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Abbey Rieves)

Choose Your Interview Location Wisely

Case Study
14 min
Watch the 1st Combat Camera Squadron demonstrate the value of carefully choosing an interview location.
Lt. Cmdr. N. Cody Schaal is a Navy Industrial Hygiene Officer, Deputy Director of the Environmental Health Effects Laboratory, and the Occupational Environmental Health Department Head, Naval Medical Research Unit Dayton (NAMRU-Dayton). Schaal is in one of NAMRU-Dayton’s operational exposure labs where scientists can simultaneously test chemical exposures with environmental stressors to assess potential health effects.

Achieving Good Lighting Outside the Studio

Case Study
5 min
Watch an example of good lighting achieved during an interview shot outside the studio by Defense Department...
A drill instructor with Fox Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, introduces himself to new recruits on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., June 5, 2020.

Repurposing Gems from the Archives

Case Study
2 min
Watch a positive example of how some creative thinking and musical overlay helped this USMC tweet go viral.
A U.S. Marine puts on ear protection before shooting on the Weapon Training Simulation System at Robertson Barracks in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, April 29.

Promote with Meaning

Case Study
2 min
A positive example of a Marine Corps video that compels the target audience to participate in the campaign in...
Top Navy Officials Brief at Pentagon

A Briefing Card That's On Point

Case Study
6 min
Reviews lessons to emulate and paths to improve upon like how the Navy's Briefing Card for Hurricane Sandy's...

View More

Check It Off

View All
An illustration of a person smiling and looking at a schedule. In the background the person is surrounded by a camera, headphones, checklist and calendar.

Guide to Podcast Pre-Production

Checklist
1 min
Use this checklist to research, plan and prepare for recording a podcast.
An illustration of a person recording a podcast. Elements of wavelengths, headphones, checklists and a clock in the background.

Guide to Podcast Production

Checklist
1 min
Follow this checklist to ensure you don't miss a step when recording a podcast.
An illustration of a person holding a phone listening to a podcast. Surrounded by a checklist and radio signals in the background.

Guide to Podcast Post-Production

Checklist
1 min
Follow this checklist after recording a podcast to ensure you've completed the final steps for delivery.
San Angelo READS! live streams U.S. Air Force Col. Lauren Byrd, 17th Medical Group commander, reading to a class of second grade students at Glenmore Elementary in San Angelo, Texas, April 7, 2021. Byrd emphasized the importance of literacy and welcoming new students into the classroom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Abbey Rieves)

Livestreaming Preparation

Checklist
3 min
Use this checklist to organize a livestreaming event that wows your audience.
A U.S. Air Force Reserve KC-135 Stratotanker from Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind., performs an aerial demonstration over Bowman Field in Louisville, Ky., April 17, 2021, as part of the Thunder Over Louisville air show. The annual event featured more than 20 military and civilian air craft this year. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

Aircraft Incident Response

Checklist
2 min
Be prepared to respond quickly and efficiently to an aircraft accident or incident that occurs on or off base.
n/a

Hostage Situation Checklist

Checklist
2 min
Follow this guide when you're navigating a hostage situation to ensure you don't miss important tasks.
Maryland National Guard Official Holds News Conference.

News Conference Preparation Guide

Checklist
2 min
Use this checklist to prepare for and conduct a news conference for a sensitive or complex event or crisis.
Lieutenant Commander Jamie Rivas studies one of the many "turnover" binders to get up to speed in her new role as Public Works Officer, aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif., July 2. The native of Bryan, Ohio, is taking over for outgoing LCDR Jeffrey Patton.

What to Leave When You Leave

Checklist
2 min
Ensure continuity of effort between outgoing and incoming personnel by using this checklist.
a public affairs specialist organizes a new camera kit

Uncontrolled Action Video Shoot Prep

Checklist
2 min
Be prepared for situations you encounter during uncontrolled action shoots with this checklist.

View More

Download Templates

View All
Graphic of a broadcast journalist speaking into a microphone with an illustration of a calendar. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Thomas Smith)

Podcast Editorial Calendar

Template
1 min
Customize this template to track your podcast episodes through the various stages from development to launch.
A photograph of people working on their computer and devices with illustrations of a pencil and paper, and microphone added over the image.

Podcast Proposal Guide

Template
1 min
Use this template to craft a proposal that will help you convince command that your podcast idea has value.
An illustration of a checklist and calendar overlaid on a photograph of a service member talking into a microphone and wearing headphones.

Podcast Episode Planner

Template
1 min
Use this template to help plan the logistics and goals for recording a podcast that tells a coherent story.
Microphone and headphones in a studio setting.

Write a Single Script

Template
2 min
Use this template to write a single script for a news update, radio spot and other suitable situations.
n/a

Aircraft Incident Initial News Release

Template
2 min
Provide available information after an aircraft incident to share with the media and the public.
Bliss housing town hall focuses on improvements, safety

Homicide Initial News Release

Template
2 min
Use this template to inform the media of available information after a murder has occurred.
COVID-19

News Conference Script

Template
3 min
Use this template to write an effective news conference script for the PA representative and briefer.
Person writing bucket list on book

DIY Editing Checklist

Template
2 min
Customize this template with your most common mistakes to check your work before you send it to the editor.
Low angle photo of a table with a clapperboard and completed storyboard.

Storyboard Template

Template
1 min
Use this template to plan and draft the story for your video spot, television, web or social media project.

View More

Learn How

View All
An illustration of a laptop with a podcast uploading into the cloud while a person wearing headphones is listening to a podcast on cellphone.

How to Host a Podcast on DVIDS

How To
4 min
Follow this workflow to understand how to use DVIDS as your podcast hosting platform.
Cannon hosts AC-130J Ghostrider media flight for KAMR Local 4 News over Amarillo, Texas

How To Create a Bulletproof Response

How To
3 min
Learn how to join command message with critical information in a format that reduces out-of-context quotes.
Hawaii National Guard Specialist gathers COVID-19 mapping information after being trained by the Department of Health (DOH) at the Hawaii Convention Center, August 12, 2020, Honolulu, HI.

How to Release Visual Information Properly

How To
4 min
Follow this workflow to quickly release VI with the proper approval authority and classification.
Future operations officer participates in a COVID-19 virtual subject matter expert exchange

How to Read an OPORD

How To
5 min
Walkthrough a sample Operations Order (OPORD) and understand the key takeaways of the situation or mission.
an image of a yellow helicopter

How to Package a Video Project into a Movable Fo...

How To
2 min
Follow these steps to package your video projects using the Project Manager feature of Adobe Premiere Pro.
a blurry photo of a computer screen showing an image of a soldier

How to Add Metadata to a Video Using Adobe Premi...

How To
8 min
Follow these steps to include DoD required metadata within an exported video product.
Heading from sample AAR memo. Date: 13 March 2020. Memorandum for. To: Director, Communication Strategy and Operations. From: Chief Warrant Officer John Smith, Visual Information Officer, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA, USA. Subject: After Action Report for MEFEX 18.

How to Create an After Action Report

How To
5 min
Use this guide to write a report that gives insight into improving processes and tactics for future...
Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Victoria Granado, a member a the Alaska Naval Militia, edits video footage she took as public affairs coverage of COVID-19 response efforts from the Alaska National Guard, Alaska State Defense Force and the Alaska Naval Militia at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, April 14, 2020. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Grace Nechanicky/Released)

How to Create a Title and Black Video Slate in A...

How To
5 min
Use this step-by-step guide to create a title and black video slate using Adobe Premiere Pro.
USARPAC BWC 2020: Hawaii, 25th ID Soldier participates in simulated media interview [Image 3 of 4]

How to Compose & Format a Script

How To
6 min
Follow these steps to compose and format a single-column video script using a template.

View More

Review Policy & Doctrine

View All
Dr. William Burnett, Technical Director of Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (CNMOC), and Mr. James Griffith, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) Director, Source Operations and Management Directorate—along with other NGA personnel—received a detailed overview of CNMOC with a full brief and engagements with subject matter experts. CNMOC directs and oversees more than 2,500 globally-distributed military and civilian personnel who collect, process and exploit environmental information to assist Fleet and Joint Commanders in all warfare areas to make better decisions faster than the adversary.

DoD Directive 5105.60

Policy & Doctrine
25 min
Reference the DoD Directive 5105.60 National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) (July 29, 2009).
14&15 July l MC Symposium

DoD Directive 5160.48

Policy & Doctrine
8 min
Reference DoDD 5160.48 Public Affairs & Visual Information (PA & VI) Education & Training (Nov. 20, 2017).
La. National Guard monitors Medical Supply Data [Image 11 of 13]

DoD Data Strategy

Policy & Doctrine
21 min
Reference Executive Summary: DoD Data Strategy (30 September 2020).
Sailors assigned to Defense Media Activity operate cameras during Vice Adm. John Nowell, Chief of Naval Personnel, and Fleet Master Chief Wes Koshoffer's town hall event

DoD Directive 5105.74

Policy & Doctrine
14 min
Reference the DoD Directive 5105.74 Defense Media Activity (DMA) (Change 1) (August 29, 2017).
Fire Controlman 2nd Class Anthony Borbonga, from German Town, Md., stands watch as the optical sight system supervisor in the combat information center aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105) during routine underway operations.

DoD Directive 8000.01

Policy & Doctrine
16 min
Reference the DoD Directive 8000.01 Defense Information Management (IM) Program (Change 1) (July 27, 2017).
Photo of knowledge management center Airman

DoD Directive 5400.07

Policy & Doctrine
6 min
Reference the DoD Directive 5400.07 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Program (April 5, 2019).
Senior Airman Oriana Beard, American Forces Network Kunsan broadcast journalist, prepares to go live on the radio at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, April 6, 2020. AFN broadcast journalists are expected to host four hours of live radio and produce content for social media and television daily.

DoDI 5120.20

Policy & Doctrine
15 min
Reference DoD Instruction 5120.20 Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) (Change 1) (Nov. 20,...
U.S. Navy Band Cruisers Bring Live Music Back

DD Form 2536

Policy & Doctrine
1 min
Reference the form for Request for Armed Forces Participation in Public Events (Non-Aviation) (December 2016).
U.S. Navy Band Cruisers Bring Live Music Back

DD Form 2535

Policy & Doctrine
1 min
Reference the form for Request for Military Aerial Support (December 2016).

View More