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Director of Training

Don Smith

Don Smith assumed the role as the Director of Training for the Defense Information School (DINFOS) in April 2019. As the Director of training, Mr. Smith leads a highly-diverse team of more than 200 joint-Service military, Department of Defense (DoD) civilian and contract instructors responsible for the professional development and education of over 1,500 military, DOD and inter-agency civilians and international students annually in the public affairs and visual information career fields.

A native of Washington, D.C., Mr Smith retired in 2008 after 23 years in the Navy as a Senior Chief Photographer’s Mate and Mass Communications Specialist. During his military career, he served in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Medusa. Mr. Smith has been assigned to a wide variety of positions throughout his career to include Graphic’s Leading Petty Officer, Lead Instructor for Periscope Photography and DINFOS’ Digital Multimedia Course, Career Counselor, Periscope Photography Officer, Division Chief, Assistant Public Affairs Officer and Public Affairs Officer.

Prior to his current position, Mr. Smith has served in numerous roles with the Defense Information School since 2000. While still in uniform, he served as the Academic Director for the Multimedia Department, the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge for the Director of Training, and the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge for the Curriculum Development Department. As a civilian, he has served as the Deputy Director of Training and the Department Head and Academic Director for the Public Affairs Leadership Department. 

Mr. Smith is a veteran educator of 34 years, and has taught in Maryland’s public-school system as well as several Navy and DOD training institutions. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Management and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Maryland, University College. He holds numerous specialty classifications and is a certified Master Training Specialist and a Master Instructor.