The Hair Squad - War

The Hair Squad - War correspondents go through boot camp.

Nearly 60 journalists from around the world participated in a course -- the second in a series -- designed to enhance their effectiveness and safety in combat. The first time the Department of Defense offered such training to journalists preparing to enter a potential war zone was in late November at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., officials said.

Fort Benning's 2nd Battalion, 58th Infantry Regiment, played host Dec. 16-20 to a number of war correspondents and photographers from CBS, CNN, The New York Times, Newsweek, Washington Post, and Al Jazeera.

Soldiers from various units and directorates led a crash course in combat survival, including the proper ways to enter and exit a helicopter, first aid, land navigation, reacting to direct and indirect fire, mine awareness and protection against nuclear, biological and chemical warfare.

"I've been in a couple of situations where this kind of training might've helped -- Kosovo, Belgrade, Saudi ..." said Kerry Sanders, an NBC correspondent from Miami. "Through all that, I never had any formal training. I'm pleased with this. It's a good opportunity, especially the NBC (chamber). The threat of chemical warfare seems more real this time around, and I do feel a little more prepared."

I wonder if the Army plans on sending any bloggers overseas? I volunteer...

I've been wondering for years when the military would break down and do this sort of thing - not only start working relationships with reporters, but try to develop some respect on the part of media people for what soldiering is about.

Everyone wins, I'd think; the media get the wherewithal to tell the stories that need to get out, while the military get to snicker at newspaper reporters trying to squeeze into Kevlar vests.

Posted by Mitch at January 7, 2003 01:51 PM