The Mass Communication Foundations Course is an 87-day resident course conducted at 6500 Mapes Road, Ft. Meade, Md. 20755.

This course operates on a fiscal year schedule from October 1st to September 30th. All courses offered after October 1st of a particular year are considered part of the next fiscal year. For example, if a course begins Oct 1, 2025, it is listed under FY 2026.

For registration, please visit the Army Training Requirements and Resource System (ATRRS) at https://www.atrrs.army.mil **Please note that ATTRS requires an NIPR computer and CAC card.**

For assistance, please email: registrar@dinfos.edu 

Course Description

Students in Mass Communication Foundations learn and apply the concepts and skills needed in both the public affairs and visual information specialties. They learn and apply design thinking principles to question effectively, identify problems and provide a solution-based approach within a communications framework, applying the fundamentals of journalistic writing, still photography, videography, digital graphic design, and interactive multimedia in their products.

Students are introduced to and apply the fundamentals of English and journalism to news and narrative stories, captions, and video scripts for use in both internal and external communication products. Instruction includes public affairs internal and external communications, media and community engagement, and preparing information for public release in accordance with Department of War directives. Students learn and apply basic photography fundamentals, including optics, light and color theory, composition, exposure and lighting, studio photography, and use a digital single-lens reflex camera to capture both still and motion imagery of both controlled and uncontrolled action for historical documentation and in support of DoW themes and messages.

Students learn digital audio capture methods and editing techniques, then use recording tools to capture audio they integrate into video sequences and digital media products. Applying video and editing techniques, students create video products to support military operations, training, and public affairs missions. Additionally, students study integrated multimedia best practices and apply design and layout fundamentals, including color theory and typography, in the creation of all products. Each student will create vector-based products and raster-based graphics, and incorporate these and other previously created projects into interactive multimedia products they will package for use in multiple print and browser-based platforms. The course culminates with both individual and group capstone exercises, where each student will demonstrate the ability to integrate and apply the diverse knowledge and multi-disciplinary skills attained throughout the entire integrated course.

Prerequisites

DINFOS courses have specific requirements that define who can attend and what background or experience they need. Prerequisites are updated each fiscal year, and the most current details are listed below and on the ATRRS course pages.

FY 26 Course Information

MCF FY 26 Course Prerequisites:

None 

MCF FY 26 Service Prerequisites:

• United States Army, Army Reserve, Army National Guard - 46S: E-1 through E-5. Must meet prerequisites outlined in DA PAM 611-21. GT score 105 or above. Security eligibility of SECRET. PULHES 211121. Must meet height and weight standard IAW AR 600-9. Must pass a record Army Fitness Test (AFT) prior to graduation. If you do not meet the requirement, your course enrollment requires an exception to policy (ETP) approval by Army Public Affairs School (APAS). POC: publicaffairseducation@army.mil. Army 46V will attend the MCF-46V1 Phase 1 course located in the course catalog.
   
• United States Marine Corps - Must be enlisted E-1 through E-5- Minimum GT score of 110 (waiver able to 107). Minimum VE score of 45. Must have normal color vision. Must be a United States Citizen. Must be eligible for a SECRET security clearance. 
   
• United States Navy - Must be enlisted E-1 through E-5. ASVAB: VE + AR = 115. VE minimum 53 (non-waiverable) or PC + AR = 115. Normal color vision. Must be a United States Citizen. Remaining enlistment of 5 years. Must be eligible to obtain a SECRET security clearance.
   
• United States Air Force - Must be enlisted E-1 through E-6. Minimum score of 72 on general area of ASVAB. AFAQE score of 43. Must have distant visual acuity correctable to 20/20 with normal color vision. Must be eligible for SECRET security clearance.
   
• United States Coast Guard - Must be enlisted E-3 through E-6. Auxiliary PAO with service chief approval. ASVAB requirement of minimum VE+AR=99 and minimum VE score of 54. Up to 5 points can be waived in any areas of the ASVAB by commanding officers (applicable to any area of the ASVAB). Type minimum of 20 wpm. Must have a current driver's license. Must be eligible for a SECRET security clearance. Any waivers of listed prerequisites must have written approval from the Public Affairs Rating Force Master Chief.

MCF FY 26 Dates 

Fiscal year 2026 course dates are available on the FY 26 MCF Class Schedule page. 

FY 27 Course Information

MCF FY 27 Course Prerequisites:

None 

MCF FY 27 Service Prerequisites:

• United States Army, Army Reserve, Army National Guard - 46S: E-1 through E-5. Must meet prerequisites outlined in DA PAM 611-21. GT score 105 or above. Security eligibility of SECRET. PULHES 211121. Must meet height and weight standard IAW AR 600-9. Must pass a record Army Fitness Test (AFT) prior to graduation. If you do not meet the requirement, your course enrollment requires an exception to policy (ETP) approval by Army Public Affairs School (APAS). POC: publicaffairseducation@army.mil. Army 46V will attend the MCF-46V1 Phase 1 course located in course catalog. 
   
• United States Marine Corps -  Must be enlisted E-1 through E-5. Minimum GT score of 110 (waiver able to 107). Minimum VE score of 45. Must have normal color vision. Must be a United States Citizen. Must be eligible for a SECRET security clearance.
   
• United States Navy - Must be enlisted E-1 through E-5. ASVAB: VE + AR = 115, VE minimum 53 (non-waiverable) or PC + AR = 115. Normal color vision. Must be a United States Citizen. Remaining enlistment of 5 years. Must be eligible to obtain a SECRET security clearance.
   
• United States Air Force - Must be enlisted E-1 through E-6. Minimum score of 72 on general area of ASVAB. AFAQE score of 43. Must have distant visual acuity correctable to 20/20 with normal color vision. Must be eligible for SECRET security clearance. 
   
• United States Coast Guard - Must be enlisted E-3 through E-6. Auxiliary PAO with service chief approval. ASVAB requirement of minimum VE+AR=99 and minimum VE score of 54. Up to 5 points can be waived in any areas of the ASVAB by commanding officers (applicable to any area of the ASVAB). Type minimum of 20 wpm. Must have a current driver's license. Must be eligible for a SECRET security clearance. Any waivers of listed prerequisites must have written approval from the Public Affairs Rating Force Master Chief.

MCF FY 27 Dates 

Fiscal year 2027 course dates are available on the FY 27 MCF Class Schedule page.