Crisis Communication Lessons From The Department Of Defense

U.S. Army Maj. Stephen Von Jett joined the faculty of the Defense Information School’s Public Affairs and Communication Strategy Directorate in July 2021.
 
Von Jett previously served as the operations officer for the directorate of communications, Joint Task Force – National Capital Region, Washington D.C., providing public affairs planning, coordination and support as the Department of Defense executive agent for military ceremonies in the nation’s capital. During his time with the JTF-NCR, he served as the production chief for the 59th Presidential Inauguration and the deputy director of media operations for the state funeral of President George H.W. Bush.
 
Originally from Joplin, Missouri, Von Jett enlisted in the Army in 2002 as cryptologic linguist and served as a low-level voice interceptor with 10th MTN Div. He deployed to Afghanistan in 2006 and commissioned in 2007 via the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School.
 
As an infantry officer with the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment in Vilseck, Germany, Von Jett served as an anti-armor platoon leader, company executive officer and squadron logistics officer with deployments to Iraq, Bulgaria, and Afghanistan. Following those assignments, Von Jett served as a company commander and battalion operations officer with the 316th Cavalry Brigade on Fort Benning, Georgia.
 
After attending the Public Affairs Qualification Course in 2015, Von Jett served as the chief of public affairs for the 4th Military Information Support Group on Fort Bragg, North Carolina where he supported special operations forces in AFRICOM, EUCOM and CENTCOM.
 
Von Jett was next assigned to the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia as the chief of public affairs. While there, he was involved in numerous DOD and Army enterprise level events and observances such as National Memorial Day and Veteran Day observances, Flags-In and Wreaths Across America at Arlington National Cemetery, Army Ten Miler, Twilight Tattoo and dozens of other media engagements and outreach events across the National Capital Region.
 
Von Jett has been married for 20 amazing years to his wife, Bridgette and has three awesome children, Blake, Dylan and Madilyn. Their family is very active in their local Deaf community. When not on platform, Von Jett enjoys wood working and playing D&D.