Defense Visual Information Distribution Service

{{Short description|Military media publishing unit of the U.S. Department of Defense}}

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Defense Visual Information Distribution Service}}

{{Infobox military unit

| unit_name = Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS)

| image = DVIDS logo reduced resolution.png

| image_size = 150px

| caption = DVIDS logo

| country = United States of America

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| type = Multimedia and Information

| branch = Defense Media Activity

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| specialization = Media and public relations

| command_structure = US Department of Defense

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| current_commander = Scott M Betts

| current_commander_label = DoD DVIDS Program Manager

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The Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS), formerly the Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System, is an operation supported by the Defense Media Activity (DMA). It provides a connection between world media and the American military personnel serving at home and abroad. It supports all branches of the U.S. military and combatant commands worldwide.[https://www.dvidshub.net/about/faq#faq20 "Is DVIDS run by the military?"], DVIDS website

Operations

A network of portable Ku-band satellite transmitters and IP video encoders connected to its 24/7 Cloud Network Operations Center, feed DVIDS with PR and combat content, including live video feeds.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/user/dvidshub|title=dvidshub|work=YouTube}} DVIDS broadcasts videos, photographs, podcasts, audio, webcasts, interviews, and print products (e.g., publications).[http://static.dvidshub.net/media/pubs/pdf_8860.pdf The Red Bull Express], newsletter of the 34th Infantry Division{{cite web|url=http://static.dvidshub.net/media/pubs/pdf_8861.pdf|title=Round-Up|work=Newsletter of US Regional Command Southwest, Afghanistan}}[http://www.dvidshub.net/about About DVIDS] DVIDS website

The service currently uses cloud computing technologies for infrastructure as a service. It operates DefenseTV, a military television over the top box app accessed through FireTV, Chromecast or Roku,[https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/DefenseTV DefenseTV], DVIDS website[https://www.doncio.navy.mil/CHIPS/ArticleDetails.aspx?ID=6253 "DVIDS Extends U.S. Military News & Information App 'DefenseTV' to Amazon Fire TV]", CHIPS, Department of the Navy magazine, 10 April 2015 and offers the Military 24/7 mobile app, which delivers news, video, and photos supplied directly by deployed service members.[https://www.dvidshub.net/app/military-24-7], Military 24/7 It maintains the DoD archive for worldwide operations.

Scott Betts leads the Department of Defense DVIDS program via Defense Media Activity, at Fort Meade, Maryland.[http://www.dvidshub.net/about/personnel Personnel], DVIDS website

File:Command Master Chief Nancy Estrada speaks at a LGBT Pride Month celebration at NAS Sigonella - 180620-N-OY339-1097 (4501573).jpg

In 2025, DVIDS took down all "news and feature articles, photos, and videos that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)."{{Cite web |last=Mitchell |first=Billy |date=2025-02-27 |title=DOD leadership orders components to scrub DEI content across websites, social media |url=https://defensescoop.com/2025/02/27/dod-memo-scrub-dei-content-across-websites-social-media-sean-parnell/ |access-date=2025-03-07 |website=DefenseScoop |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2025-03-07 |title=War heroes and military firsts are among 26,000 images flagged for removal in Pentagon's DEI purge |url=https://apnews.com/article/dei-purge-images-pentagon-diversity-women-black-8efcfaec909954f4a24bad0d49c78074 |access-date=2025-03-15 |website=AP News |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2025-02-27 |title=Pentagon Releases Digital Content Refresh Memorandum |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4079501/pentagon-releases-digital-content-refresh-memorandum/ |website=U.S. Department of Defense}} A previous mass removal was done in 2021 to protect Afghans.{{Cite news |last=Mike |first=Glenn |date=2021-11-01 |title=Pentagon deletes Afghan war photos from Defense Department website |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/nov/1/afghanistan-war-photos-deleted-defense-department-/ |work=The Washington Times}}

See also

References

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