DINFOS – DOT/PALD

MEMORANDUM FOR Joint Senior Public Affairs Course (JSPAC) 010-13 Attendees

SUBJECT: Joint Senior Public Affairs Course (JSPAC) 010-13 Welcome Letter

Welcome and congratulations on your selection to attend the Joint Senior Public Affairs Course (JSPAC), which will convene from 25 March to 5 April 2013. The Course provides a capstone experience for senior public affairs leaders within the Department of Defense and U.S. government agencies. Students explore and refine their role as senior communication counselors and strategic planners through panel and guided discussions with senior leader mentors and distinguished guest speakers, and from staff rides, case studies, and group/individual exercises. In today's operational environment, winning the information war is a critical requirement for achieving strategic objectives both on the battlefield in the battle of perceptions. We hope you will find that the upcoming instruction provides a unique experience─both professionally challenging and personally rewarding.

• "IS-100.b Introduction to Incident Command System (ICS-100)" http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/is/is100b.asp
• "IS-700.a NIMS: An Introduction" http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/is/is700a.asp

Course Bio: Please email a short bio (no more than 12 lines) by 15 March to Ms. Johnston, at laura.johnston.ctr@dinfos.dma.mil .

Travel: JSPAC is a demanding course. During 10 training days, students will participate in classes at the Defense Information School and in field trips to Washington, D.C. Instruction will conclude no earlier than 1600 on 5 April at the schoolhouse, so please do not make return travel arrangements prior to this time.

Uniforms/Business Attire: Please bring your Service Dress/Class A uniform or equivalent, which will be needed for our visit to Washington, D.C. We also ask that you bring one day’s business attire─ Men: Jacket/tie/dress trousers; Women: Dress slacks/skirt. The uniform of the day in the schoolhouse is the duty uniform.

Computers/Laptops: The schoolhouse will provide computers for your use while on campus, but you’re encouraged to bring a personal laptop, which will enable you to work on assignments from remote locations.

Class Fee: We also ask that you bring $50 to satisfy the JSPAC class fee. The schoolhouse will provide a Memorandum for Record that you may submit to your command for reimbursement.

Billeting —You may be billeted on Fort Meade or off-post. If you billet off-post, the cost is borne by your unit of assignment. Please contact Ms. Nadine Stewart at Ft. Meade billeting, (410) 674-7700, ext. 7272, for a reservation or to help arrange off-post billeting. Several nice hotels are located within a short drive to Ft. Meade.

Again, welcome to JSPAC. We look forward to working with you during the course. Please don’t hesitate to contact Ms. Johnston at (443) 622-3942; or me with any questions: Office: (301) 677-4387/Cell: (410) 370-8349/E-mail: brus.vidal@dinfos.dma.mil.