U.S. AIR FORCE TECHNICAL SERGEANT RICKY BLOOM

U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant Ricky Bloom is a Defense Information School Basic Still Photography Course Instructor. Bloom joined the Air Force 15 years ago out of his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Originally Bloom joined the Air Force as an Imagery Production Specialist which eventually developed into a passion for Still Photography. During his 15 year career Bloom spent eight years excelling with the 1st Combat Camera Squadron. He has been on four deployments with the Air Force including tours in Iraq, Afghanistan and Africa. As a new instructor Bloom plans to bring his wealth of knowledge and experience from the field to the classroom, giving students an opportunity to get hands on experience through his teaching. “I want to be more creative with my classes and give them a lot of hands on. I want to be the best instructor I can be so I can make a difference here.” Meeting goals is the prevailing theme that Bloom conveys, most notably making students successful in their courses while allowing them enough space to grow and learn on their own. “I don’t want to over feed them; I want them to learn from their own experiences. You come into your own out in the field because its 16 hour days and you’re learning from the units that you’re with.”

U.S. NAVY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST CHIEF (MCC) SAM W. SHAVERS

U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist Chief (MCC) Sam W. Shavers is a Defense Information School instructor with the Visual Communications Department, teaching the Electronic Journalism Course. Hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the son of a retired Navy Chief, Shavers joined the Navy to better himself and see the world. In the Navy for nearly fifteen years, he worked with mustang officers and chiefs who influenced his career decisions and made sure he remembered the importance of giving back and mentoring. While deployed to the Middle East in 2005, he met then PH1 Robert R. McRill. Both were stationed together with the Expeditionary Combat Camera Command Atlantic, and again when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. Shavers remained close ties with McRill until his close friend was killed by an improvised explosive device in Iraq. Years later Shavers finds himself instructing a course that recognizes top sailors with an award that embodies the spirit of his fallen ship mate .The MC1 McRill Award is given to one graduate of every Basic Mass Communication Specialist Course (BMCSC) who exemplifies the Navy Core Values and leadership skills. Shavers is able to learn from the students how much life has changed since he first joined. He's proud they continue to excel. "Everybody comes into the military with/for their own reasons. Once they achieve that goal or reason, it's important they give back. At the end of the day, they need to leave the Navy in a better [state] than when they arrived." Palma de Malorca, Spain was Shaver's first port visit and remains his favorite duty station. Shavers is happily married , with four daughters and three sons. Two of his hobbies are playing chess and building computers.

A NEW FACE AROUND THE PLACE

Say hello to the Defense Information School's newest Deputy Commandant, Lieutenant Colonel William Manley, US Air Force. Coming in from Luke Air Force Base, Glendale, Arizona where he operated as the 56th Services Squadron commander, Lt. Col. Manley, himself a DINFOS alumnus from the class of 1999, has been serving his country through the military for more than 15 years. Lt. Col. Manley’s decision to join the Air Force was influenced by those close to him. “In high school, my best friend’s dad was a Senior Master Sergeant in the Air Force,” he said. Along with his uncle being a pilot, Lt. Col. Manley made the decision to sign up for six years. His work has taken him to places such as Turkey, Iraq, Pakistan, and now he is able to add Fort Meade, Maryland to the list. He is an avid computer gamer and loves to read, with Terry Goodkind and Tad Williams being among his favorite authors. "I enjoy golfing," he said, noting that there was a golf course right across from the school. When not assisting the commandant, Lt. Col. Manley enjoys spending time with his wife and their three children, with a fourth due in September. (photo by U.S. Marine Corps, Private First Class William L. Holdaway)

INSTRUCTOR RECEIVES DISTINGUISHED CERTIFICATION

Chief Petty Officer Benjamin Olvey has recently become the Defense Information School's only instructor to be a certified expert in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Defense Information School, Fort George G. Meade, MD Dec. 1, 2008. Click here to read the story.(photo by U.S. Navy, Seaman Wilbert D. Dow)

BEIRUT VETERANS OF AMERICA

Bob Jordan, a DINFOS instructor in the Public Affairs Leadership Department and retired major in the USMC, was presented the first Beirut Veterans of America Founders' Award in conjunction with the commemoration of the lives lost in the terrorist bombing of the Marine Barracks in Beirut, Lebanon in 1983. The award was presented October 23 at the Beirut Memorial in Camp Lejeune, N.C., on the 25th anniversary of the terrorist bombing of the Marine Barracks. Mr. Jordan attended the memorial and he emceed a panel discussion at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Va., earlier in the week. Both events were covered by C-SPAN, a cable channel dedicated to public affairs, and will be broadcast at a future date. (Photo by Mr.Frank Urben.)