A picture paints a thousand words." What message do you get from iconic images? This makes VI your force multiplier. Knowing how to use it effectively will enhance your communication mission exponentially. Photo courtesy of offload.goarmy.com The Defense Information School, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland 1
Definitions There is a distinct relationship between directives, instructions and manuals. Knowing these distinctions is important to help you understand the relationship between sources of policy and procedure. Directives A directive will exclusively establish policy, assign responsibilities, and delegate authority to DOD components. Directives contain no procedures. Manuals A manual will implement and supplement a directive or instruction. Manuals identify uniform procedures for managing or operating systems. Instructions Instruction will establish or implement policy. Instructions may contain overarching procedures. Photo courtesy of www.dinfos.osd.mil 2 The Center of Excellence for Visual Information and Public Affairs
Federal VI Regulation Office of Management and Budget Circular A-130, vol. 4, ch. 23, Management of Federal Information Resources establishes policy for the management of federal information resources. This incorporates audiovisual into information. 1. Each federal agency must appropriately implement all of the information policies, principles, standards, guidelines, rules and regulations prescribed by the Office of Management and Budget. a) Develop internal agency information policies and procedures and oversee, evaluate, and review information resources management activities, to include audiovisual products. 2. Specifies that there will be interagency or intergovernmental sharing of information before creating or collecting new information 3. Specifies that information will be disseminated in a manner that achieves the best balance between the goals of maximizing the usefulness of the information and minimizing the cost to the government and the public Photo courtesy of learn.dau.mil The Defense Information School, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland 3
DOD VI Guidance Department of Defense Instruction 5040.02 - Visual Information establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and prescribes procedures for managing DOD VI records, resources, and activities. DODI 5040.02 implements OMB Circular A-130 requirements and is applicable to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, military departments, Office of the Chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff and Joint Staff, Combatant Commands,Office of Inspector General of the DOD, defense agencies, DOD field activities, and all other DOD Components. DOD policies with regard to VI a) VI shall be viewed and used as an essential information resource and a supporting capability for strategic communication (p. 2). b) The DOD shall make, acquire, or create VI, appropriately distribute VI gathered, and preserve VI obtained (p. 2). c) DOD life cycle management shall be conducted in accordance with records management guidance and appropriate U.S. laws (p. 3). d) The U.S. Department of State and other Federal departments or agencies shall have the same access to DOD VI products as DOD organizations, in support of U.S. Government public diplomacy effort, natural disaster recovery, and other interdepartmental or interagency requirements (p. 3). e) COMCAM forces shall be structured and maintained as an essential battlefield information resource to support strategic, operational, and tactical mission objectives (p. 3). f) The credibility of official DOD imagery in and outside the DOD shall be maintained (p. 3). The VI activities in DODI 5040.02 Although the overall responsibility for VI management lies at the senior levels of DOD, the process acquisition, creation, preservation, and dissemination begins at the tactical level. Effective management of VI activities begins with understanding the policies and properly executing the procedures. DODI 5040.07 - Visual Information Production This regulation establishes DOD policy for the creation, acquisition, and life-cycle management of DOD VI productions (p. 1). It applies to the same group as DODI 5040.02. The productions are defined as complete linear or non-linear presentation, sequenced according to a plan or script, that are created from original or stock motion or still images, with or without sound, for the purpose of conveying information to or communicate with, an individual or audience (p. 12). Joint Visual Information Concept of Operations (VI CONOPS) The Joint Visual Information Concept of Operations provides a framework, a common set of architectures, procedures and doctrine, for integrating and synchronizing the actions of visual communication professionals to achieve greater operational and strategic effects (p. 1). The core element of the Joint VI CONOPS is the Joint Visual Information Enterprise, which provides a framework aligning visual communication professionals, VI joint operations and visual content for more efficient use (p. 1). This enterprise approach enables the warfighter to respond more quickly to the changing operational environment and serves as a guide for organizations to leverage Joint VI systems in reaching their communication objectives (p. 1). Timely, relevant and compelling military imagery is a strategic asset for decision-makers and must therefore be deliberately planned and coordinated (p. 1). The Joint VI CONOPS describes processes to help streamline the transmission and sharing of visual imagery and provides a description of operational considerations for planning and best practices for implementation (p. 1). Each service has specific policies to implement DOD VI guidance. Let's look briefly at each. 4 The Center of Excellence for Visual Information and Public Affairs
Service Specific Visual Information Policies Army: Army Regulation 25-1 The Army Information Technology, defines policies and programs for visual information in the Army.Department of the Army Pamphlet 25-91 - Visual Information Procedures describes the mandated procedures for managing and operating Army visual information activities. USMC: Marine Corps Order 3104.1 - B - Marine Corps Combat Camera Program publishes procedures for the management and operation of visual information and combat camera activities. Marine Corps War Fighting Publication (MCWP) 3-33.7- Marine Air-Ground Task Force Combat Camera, informs the Marine air-ground task force (MAGTF) commander and staff planners on COMCAM capabilities. describe AF VI resources and functions, and tell how to manage and operate AF VI activities at all levels. Coast Guard: Commandant Instruction M5728.2D - Public Affairs Manual specifies policies, procedures and relationships for the U.S. Coast Guard PA program. Chapter 5 identifies responsibilities and support related to VI, and the requirements for the distribution of imagery to support U.S. Coast Guard. Navy: OPNAV Instruction 3104.1A - Navy Visual Information and Program (NAVIP) Policy and Responsibilities, provides policy, guidance, and assigns responsibilities for the NAVIP. OPNAV Instruction 3104.3A - Navy Combat Camera Program Policy, outlines responsibilities, and procedures. Photo courtesy of www.parabon.com Air Force: Air Force Instruction 35-109 - Visual Information Management implements Air Force Policy Directive AFPD 35-1 and DOD Directive 5040.02.These regulations identifies and The Defense Information School, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland 5
Conclusion VI is a communication force multiplier. You can increase mission contributions by knowing governing doctrine and applying it to VI programs. 6 The Center of Excellence for Visual Information and Public Affairs
References and Additional Resources DODI 5040.02, Visual Information (2011) DODI 5040.07, Visual Information Production Procedures (2013) Joint Visual Information Concept of Operations (2011) Army Regulation 25-1, Army Information Technology (2013) Army FM 6-02.40, Visual Information Operation (2009) Air Force Instruction 35-109, Visual Information (2010) OPNAVINST 3104.1A, Navy Visual Information Program Policy and Responsibilities (2009) OPNAVINST 3104.3A, Navy Combat Camera Program Policy, Responsibilities, and Procedures (2010) MCO 3104.1B, Marine Corps Combat Camera Program (2011) NAVMC 3500.26, Combat Camera Training and Readiness Manual (2007) U.S. Coast Guard. (2008). COMDTINST M5728.2D: Public Affairs Manual, ch 5. The Defense Information School, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland 7