DVIDS

DVIDS
Name	DVIDS
Type	Multimedia distribution
Founded	2004
Country	United States
Languages	English
Owner	United States Department of Defense

DVIDS

DVIDS is a Department of Defense multimedia distribution platform that provides news, imagery, and broadcast services supporting operations and public affairs for armed forces. The platform aggregates video, photography, audio, and written content to serve commanders, public affairs officers, journalists, and the public with mission-related media from theaters including Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and other deployments. It interfaces with major media outlets, logistical commands, international coalitions, and defense communications offices to disseminate material across digital and broadcast channels.

Overview

DVIDS operates as a centralized content distribution and archive service connecting United States Southern Command, United States Central Command, United States European Command, United States Indo-Pacific Command, United States Africa Command, United States Northern Command, and United States Space Command public affairs elements with external partners like Reuters, Associated Press, BBC News, CNN, and Al Jazeera. It supports collaboration among units such as the 82nd Airborne Division, 1st Cavalry Division, 101st Airborne Division, Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, Special Operations Command (United States), and service public affairs offices including Office of the Secretary of Defense and the United States Army Public Affairs community. The platform integrates with transportation and logistics stakeholders such as Air Mobility Command and national-level institutions like the White House communications staff during contingency operations.

History and Development

DVIDS was created in the early 21st century as part of modernization efforts following operations like the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), driven by lessons from engagements involving units such as 101st Airborne Division and events like the Battle of Fallujah. Initial development involved collaboration with technology firms, military public affairs leaders, and offices across the Department of Defense, drawing on doctrine from publications such as the National Defense Strategy and procedures used by the Defense Information Systems Agency. Over time the system evolved alongside platforms like YouTube, Twitter, Vimeo, and content management systems used by institutions including the Library of Congress and National Archives and Records Administration. Major milestones involved integration of satellite transport via partners like Intelsat and broadcast partnerships with entities such as Armed Forces Network.

Services and Features

The platform provides live streaming, file transfer, content hosting, and metadata services used by public affairs professionals embedded with formations like III Corps, USNS Comfort (T-AH-20), and Carrier Strike Group 11. Features include video-on-demand, still imagery galleries, press release distribution, and a searchable archive with tagging compatible with standards used by NATO public affairs and coalition partners including United Kingdom Ministry of Defence and Canadian Armed Forces. It supports distribution to broadcasters such as PBS and cable networks like Fox News and integrates captioning standards used by the Federal Communications Commission for accessibility.

Content and Media Types

Content spans combat footage from brigades like 1st Infantry Division, humanitarian assistance coverage with units like United States Agency for International Development, training exercises such as Operation Atlantic Resolve, and multinational events including RIMPAC and Operation Inherent Resolve. Media types include high-definition video, user-generated content collected via embedded public affairs teams in units such as Marine Expeditionary Unit, broadcast feeds compatible with Satellite News Gathering trucks, stills from combat photographers trained under courses by Defense Media Activity, and audio interviews with commanders from formations like US Army Europe. Archive material references historical operations like Operation Desert Storm and contemporary missions tied to task forces such as Task Force 68.

Users and Audience

Primary users include public affairs officers from the United States Navy, United States Air Force, United States Marine Corps, and United States Army, accredited media from outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Bloomberg News, and international journalists from organizations like Agence France-Presse. Secondary audiences include academics at institutions like Georgetown University, think tanks such as the RAND Corporation and Center for Strategic and International Studies, veterans groups including Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion, and policymakers from committees such as the House Armed Services Committee and Senate Armed Services Committee.

Partnerships and Funding

Operations are funded and overseen through mechanisms within the United States Department of Defense budget and coordinated with organizations like Defense Information Systems Agency, Defense Media Activity, and service public affairs offices. Partnerships extend to media organizations including Associated Press Television News, technology vendors like Microsoft, cloud providers similar to Amazon Web Services, and academic partners at universities including Naval Postgraduate School. International cooperation includes liaison with NATO Public Affairs and coalition partners from countries such as United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Germany.

Security and Privacy Considerations

Content handling follows classification policies set by entities like the Defense Intelligence Agency and protocols influenced by legislation such as the Freedom of Information Act and directives from the Office of Management and Budget. Operational security guidance is coordinated with staff from formations like U.S. Cyber Command and law enforcement partners including the Federal Bureau of Investigation to mitigate risks involving personally identifiable information, controlled unclassified information, and operational details. Media releases are reviewed under standards used by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and service public affairs authorities to prevent disclosure that could affect forces, coalition partners, or ongoing operations.

Category:United States military media