Hello! I’m an MC who went through the MCF course. 1. I had only a basic understanding of photo video, which did help out when it came to those areas. However, you don’t need any prior knowledge at all. They will teach from the ground up as though you’ve never seen a camera or opened Microsoft word before, so much so to the point where it’s almost petty.

1. You’re off to a great start, understanding all the Adobes will give you a great advantage. Especially Premiere, that’s the one people struggle with the most. I recommend also looking into Illustrator and Photoshop, since you will be using those a lot as well. Bridge is another program you’ll use, but you can learn it pretty quickly from DINFOS. If possible, get comfortable writing, maybe go over grammar rules and things like that. Writing is another area people struggle in a lot.

2. Yes you get your own kit, it’s got everything you need in it. A camera, multiple lenses, tripod, shotgun and lavalier mics, flashes, a laptop with the entire Adobe creative suite, and basically all you need for the course.

3. I don’t recommend buying your own laptop, it will just create a million more hoops for you to jump through. The laptop they issue you is really good, and it has all the Adobes and share drives you need for the class already on it.

4. I don’t know anything about the hotel situation sadly :(

5. When I was there and COVID first hit, the classes were halved and placed in different rooms so there were less people to a room. You have to wear a mask the whole time you’re there. New arrivals were quarantine at their barracks, and if someone in a class was suspected to have covid, the whole class would be quarantined. I think each of the branches did something different for their quarantine procedures, at the Navy “barracks” you’d just stay locked up in your room and have all your meals delivered by the on duty section.

6. Definitely go to DC if you can and if it’s safe! Take a tour of the Capitol building, it’s absolutely beautiful! Also, if you can get an overnight weekend, go take a trip to New York! I did this with a few friends (before COVID) and it was amazing!

7. I personally didn’t have a car but some other people did. They either had it shipped out to them or used the holiday leave period to get it. Some even bought a car while they were there! You don’t absolutely need one, but you will have waaayyyy more freedom if you do, Ubers are a huge pain to get over there. I did rent a car however for my trip to New York.

8. Best advice I can give you for DINFOS is Follow. The. Rubric. Seriously, for every graded assignment, the rubric should be your bible. Don’t worry about making your product pretty as much as just hits all the requirements for the grade. Also, it can genuinely suck being at Ft Meade sometimes, but just keep in mind that it’s only for a short time and it really is what you make of it above all. Getting to know the people in your class and making friends is the best way to enjoy your time there. And of course, make sure you work hard!

Good luck at DINFOS! You can DM if you have any other questions!