As a civilian I've always wondered how the regular (if that's the word) soldiers felt about the field reporters and photographers. Are they just soldiers who need to do light duty? Do they get shit on most of the time?
That was their full time job. Combat Cameraman or something along those lines. Their goal was to show what goes into a large operation like that from the joes perspective, which I thought was pretty unique. I didn't mind having them around, granted it was for a week and for a training mission. Some of the more seasoned vets in this thread who may have had reporters downrange may have a different opinion.
We had some newspaper reporters* ride with us for a couple of days in Baghdad. They didn't say too much, or ask many questions. As soon as they got back to the States, they violated OPSEC. We weren't even allowed to tell our families about our mission, but they wrote about where we were and everything we were up to. Our commander gave them a pretty stern warning about it before and after they rode with us, so it's not like they didn't know any better. The whole time we were like, "Why the fuck are they even here? It's not like they can write about this shit." Needless to say, they lost their jobs. *They were from the Star Tribune.
<a class="postlink" href="http://gizmodo.com/5841107/how-sgt-dakota-meyer-rescued-36-soldiers-under-heavy-fire" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://gizmodo.com/5841107/how-sgt-dako ... heavy-fire</a> Sorry if it's a repost
With the military PAO (press) remember that they are given a clearly delineated "commander's intent" that is basically what impression he wants to go out. On civilian reporters: They are all pretty different based on motives of when/where/what you were doing*, a lot of guys hate them and if you are caught blatantly saying things different than your (Battalion or higher) "commander's intent" you are probably fucked worse than a two dollar whore. I was early Iraq convoys and late Iraq reconstruction security (PRT PSD). OIF II we largely had a bunch of reporters trying to get us to bash Bush or the invasion, talk about Abu/Falluja/Najaf, or how we had shit for equipment. Late war (9.2-10.1) we were asked about the withdrawal, reconstruction, the Afgan surge, and "winning". I would wager a good bet that the questions in between varied a bit as well. The only ones worse than reporters with OPSEC are the fucking Family Readiness Groups. And the only reporters that I almost honestly hate more the OPSEC violators are the fucks that frame us (personally and in their writing) as victims and objects of pity. *I was the only person from my state (Guard) tour uno and tour twofer my PAO decided I had an "interesting background and pedigree" so I ended up with far too many dealings with them.
Off to mcghee tyson for Airmen Leadership School tomorrow. Any places in Knoxville Tennessee I must see? Any tips for ALS?
Got out of Great Mistakes on Friday. Took leave to see my Dad while I still can, and I'll be off to have a boot-a-thon in Port Hueneme on Wednesday. Thanks to all the help and advice everyone gave me.
I'm sure a lot of you military folks have experience with shipping stuff long distance to your loved ones. My fiance is on a training deployment type dealie on a ship off the coast of Japan. He just requested that I send him certain things. So, off to Big Lots I went. I kinda went overboard and the package is pretty heavy (like 24lbs heavy...yikes). Does anyone have tips on shipping this without it being crazy expensive? USPS has flat rate boxes but they aren't big enough. The minimum cost as far as online calculators go was around $100 bucks, maximum was more than $275. Sorry, no dice. Anyone have any other suggestions? I considered buying stuff on Amazon and having it shipped (I get free student shipping). I really want him to have the things he requested but I can't afford to drop that much money on one single package. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Due to the benevolence of a board member, I am having my stuff shipped at no cost to me. I won't mention any names in case they wish to remain anonymous. I am so very grateful. Thanks!
I personally have had almost NO positive dealings with press, nor do I know anyone who has. The Combat Camera guys are well intentioned, but they take photos of us doing things that are contrary to commander's direction and violate rules, which in turn gets us in trouble indirectly. I recently found myself featured on AKO's front page in a photo from several years ago breaking about every uniform rule in the book. Thankfully the cameraman was never given our names during his time with us. As for real reporters... fuck them, every one of them. I will NEVER say a word to a journalist, and anyone who does humor them is immediately outside the circle of trust. I have never seen a journalist who didn't have a vested interest in portraying the world through their own filter. D
The Seabees are starting to make their switch to Navy Type III NWU's. Looks like Avacado-flauge to me. Maybe I'm just sentimental for the tri-color camies but I can see how the new uniforms will work well. Certainly aint no MARPAT though. Anyone got thoughts on it?
I really hope the MARPAT comment was sarcastic, because those cammies are just MARPAT with a vertical pattern instead of horizontal. Speaking of MARPAT, the entire Marine Corps has derped over us being sleeves down permanently. Am I the only one that doesn't give a fuck about it?
The Army went no-roll a long time ago. It's one of those things where, if you are in the field and it is hot, roll up your sleeves. But in the rear, leave them down. No big deal. Speaking of uniforms, we're about to be fitted for some SOCOM wide multicam knockoff stuff. I have no idea what is going on anymore.
It was implemented this week. Its absolutely lame if you ask me. There was a whole despute about wearing those Kia bracelets, and going fully sleeves down dodges that argument and the one about half the Marine Corps being covered in tattoos. Gotta maintain our professionalism....
CMC authorized KIA bracelets in uniform before we went sleeves if I recall correctly. We can only hope they get rid of the stupid tattoo policy now.
MARPAT is alot easier on the eyes. I really thought Type 3 was gonna be awesome when I saw pictures of it but when I saw them in person, whole 'nother story. They really ain't pretty.
Any general advice for a new infantry PL? I'll be commissioning soon (ROTC) and I've tried to nail down all I can. Read everything I could get a hold of, listened to my cadre, 300 on the stupid PT test, got an E at LDAC (camp), all the usual stuff. I don't have any family or close friends in the military, so I'm looking for anything I won't find from the official sources. Thanks in advance guys.
+10000 Remember, compared to that crusty E-7 'toon sergeant, you are an idiot. The more you step in his kool-aid, the worse you look. The more you seek his guidance, use common sense, and guard your platoon from administrative and tactical bullshit that is pushed down from higher, the better commander you are. The NCO chain is the backbone of the army. The commanders are the "brains" of the operation, which means you are planning and signature monkeys. Once boots hit the ground, lead from the front... right beside your Platoon Sergeant, who is actually running the show.