Lieutenant Colonel Samuel B. Highley is the Deputy Commandant, Defense Information School, Fort Meade, Md. He assists the Commandant in leading the institution that serves as the Department of Defense school for public communication, responsible for training all U.S. military, selected foreign military, and civilian public affairs and visual information professionals.

Lieutenant Colonel Highley received his commission in 1994 through the Air Force ROTC program at Texas A&M University. He has served as either Chief or Director of Public Affairs four times at the wing and numbered air force levels, and has commanded a Public Affairs detachment at the Pentagon. Prior to arriving at DINFOS, he was the strategic communication adviser to the Secretary of the Air Force.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Texas A&M University, a master’s degree in journalism from The University of Texas at Austin, a master’s degree in military operational art and science from Air Command and Staff College, and a master’s degree in airpower art and science from the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies.

His major awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, and the Air Force Achievement Medal.