Letter from Kandahar: Week 18

[punisher_6d]

http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/lf/English/6_1_1.asp?id=2166

You really need to read the rest of them to get a true taste of the senseless junk the Canadian Army passes off as "news" on their website.

 

[Franko]

Holy crap.....

Monday afternoon the power went out in some tents, mine being one of them. So that means no lights and more concerning, no air conditioning. As I write this they aren't quite sure when it will be back up but I sure hope it is soon.

Cry me a river.        :crybaby:

I won't get into how I know this individual....        :

Regards

 

[Blakey]

Holy crap.....

Cry me a river.         :crybaby:

I won't get into how I know this individual....         :

Regards

I don't even go to that site anymore, it has fallen so far short of what the soldiers want to read and watch, it almost makes me mad that I actually took that course (because I wanted to work there and make a difference, alas I was told that there were no out of trade positions for infantry Corporals  : , wouldn't want some perspective there I guess....).

I know the person in question as well, I will not read fluff.

 

[punisher_6d]

This is from another letter:

"My luggage had finally arrived (thankfully) so I freshened up and met my tour group, 18 of us and I was the only Canadian. There was a Scot, a Brit, three Kiwis' and the rest were all from Australia – really good bunch of people though.   The next morning we headed to a National Park called Hwange. We went for several game drives and saw lions out in the wild. Yeah!  We also spotted elephant's, zebra's, giraffe's, crocs, warthog's, impala's, kudu's sables, jackal's and buffalo. Three of the Big 5 (lion, elephant, rhinoceros, buffalo, leopard) in one day!"

OMG, who really gives a flying-mother-fook what you are doing on your HLTA!  We want to hear about what our soldiers are doing out in the field in Afghanistan.  Somebody up there in Army PA needs to have their head seriously checked for allowing this crap to be online.

 

[Blakey]

OMG, who really gives a flying-mother-fook what you are doing on your HLTA!  We want to hear about what our soldiers are doing out in the field in Afghanistan.  Somebody up there in Army PA needs to have their head seriously checked for allowing this crap to be online.

I agree, here is one of my other responses reference this animal they call Army News.

http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/55649/post-509224.html#msg509224

Speaking from experience (Army News Course Graduate 2005), I have lost some hope for this organization.
Talk to the soldiers in my unit about Army News and you open yourself to:
a) Giving them the opportunity to mock you or
b) See first choice.

To be quite honest, Army News isn't even a thought on anyones minds around here, a perfect example of this is that the TV in our canteen (the one that is supposed to show the Army News Stories) is never turned on.

Common answers as to why it isn't on or why troops don't like it:
1. "It's gay"
2. "Why do I want to watch a bunch of reservists going down to [insert whatever US Base here] and train, when all we ever do is sit around here or go to Wainwright"
3. "The stories are not interesting"
4. "Why watch that when I can watch Jerry Springer on the 52 incher?"  and too many more to list....

Lets face it, Army News was created to be a tool for the CLS/CDS to keep the troops informed about what they think is important. Going insofar as requiring that all episodes be reviewed by the CLS for approval before going to air.

I had high hopes when I went on the course and even for sometime afterwards, that Army News would in fact be at the "Tip of The Spear" reporting on and gathering the stories/images and video of the meat and potatoes of the Army.
My hopes have somewhat faded in the last two years.....

Lets be honest here, Afghanistan should be front and centre on Army News, troops kicking in doors and fighting the good fight should be reported on and shown to all, IMO.

In my view (from the snow covered, wind swept plains of the prairies), I don't see it gaining much exposure, let alone winning any "hearts and minds".


Spelling

 

[RHFC_piper]

I'm a little confused on how all this works...  So, we send military photographers and videographers out with the troops, during battle, and have an entire military sight devoted to their sometimes dangerous work, full of well composed photos with relevant imagery taken from the front lines... But... We don't have people to report on the content of this media, from the front lines, and to be used on a news system designed for the troops (and not just for the troops to mock)? 
No wonder there's such a poor response to Army News.  It's not like the Media isn't there to report on the front lines.... and it's not like there aren't people willing to go forward to tell the stories.
As much as it's good to have some diversity in reporting, showing life in and out of the wire, I rarely ever read anything about outside the wire other than what is written by members here... which is essentially "armature" and  "unsanctioned" reporting.

Why?

What's the deal?

 

[Blakey]

RHFC_piper, I pretty much agree.

I haven't done anything with "Army News" since spring '06, I known reporters within Army News that have been to Afghanistan on more than one occasion (I'm sure just by browsing their site you can figure out who I'm talking about), but I've never really have noticed any of that, how should I put this, "up front reporting"(?). I have not seen one CF Soldier in still or video (EDIT: Besides civi stuff) actively engaging any OMF, hey I could be right out in left field here but, isn't that what the soldiers that will have to deploy want to see? (I know most of the troops with 2VP see it somewhat like I do).

Other countries have military news/civil affairs units that do an awesome job of reporting about their contries soldiers from whatever theater of operations, why can't we?

In hindsight, maybe I'm just being a little to hard on them (Army News), it did only stand up in 2002.

 

[The Bread Guy]

I only visit the Army News sites periodically, but based on how media, institutional or MSM, work in general, I wonder how much of the editorial approach for all these outlets is driven by the fact that not EVERY CF member in theatre is a combat arms member, and there has to be a reflection of the contribution of the other branches/trades?

I know everyone wants to see the keen, slick, fixed bayonet stuff the bulk of the time, it appears that with the size of the "goat to be fed", so to speak, not every piece is going to be hoo-hah.

Happy to hear from anyone who's involved in feeding said goat (or even anyone who's fed the goat in the recent past) to see if I'm way outta line or not.

 

[punisher_6d]

Tony,

This is pure, pure junk reporting.  Someone has to screen this stuff, no?  You'd think they could get a real infantry soldier with some semblance of Grade 4 writing skills to write shiite about the situation outside the wire???

Send me the link once they evolve to this level.  Thanks buds.  ;D

 

[RHFC_piper]

RHFC_piper, I pretty much agree.

I haven't done anything with "Army News" since spring '06, I known reporters within Army News that have been to Afghanistan on more than one occasion (I'm sure just by browsing their site you can figure out who I'm talking about), but I've never really have noticed any of that, how should I put this, "up front reporting"(?). I have not seen one CF Soldier in still or video (EDIT: Besides civi stuff) actively engaging any OMF, hey I could be right out in left field here but, isn't that what the soldiers that will have to deploy want to see? (I know most of the troops with 2VP see it somewhat like I do).

Other countries have military news/civil affairs units that do an awesome job of reporting about their contries soldiers from whatever theater of operations, why can't we?

In hindsight, maybe I'm just being a little to hard on them (Army News), it did only stand up in 2002.

Keep in mind that Combat Camera does go out with the troops... into some fights (at least the ones they get caught in) and they come back with some great footage and stills... But then they go right into an archive, with a little blurb and no real story.    Why aren't these pics and videos being used to tell a bigger story?  Why isn't a combat camera image tech being paired up with a willing reporter out in the field? 
I agree with the previously posted assessment of Army News to an extent; No one really watches it, 'cause it doesn't speak to a wide audience....  The note about "who cares what reservists do?"... well, reservists do, but we don't get Army news fed into our mess, or at our gyms... Cause we don't live on base... so it's kinda pointless.  And those are the only times I've seen an Army News broadcast; in the mess or in the lobby of the Gym on base...  And the reports are usually months old.

I only visit the Army News sites periodically, but based on how media, institutional or MSM, work in general, I wonder how much of the editorial approach for all these outlets is driven by the fact that not EVERY CF member in theatre is a combat arms member, and there has to be a reflection of the contribution of the other branches/trades?

I know everyone wants to see the keen, slick, fixed bayonet stuff the bulk of the time, it appears that with the size of the "goat to be fed", so to speak, not every piece is going to be hoo-hah.

Happy to hear from anyone who's involved in feeding said goat (or even anyone who's fed the goat in the recent past) to see if I'm way outta line or not.

I agree with this to an extent as well, but keep in mind that not every CF member in theater is a support trade either, and its not all support and battle group... what about stories from OMLT, or PRT or CIMIC. 

Consider the stories which have been done;
Battle group; Synopsis - I live in a FOB and do patrols... we get shot at a lot
NSE / NCE; Synopsis -  I live in KAF and its hot... but we have Timmies...  rockets suck.
PRT/CIMIC; Synopsis - I live in the middle of a huge city with hundreds of thousands of people who need help and support... every day is an adventure, and although this is the stuff people back home should know about, since this is why were here, the MSM would rather report death (sensationalism) and government media would rather report about Tim Hortons and the new Canada house.
OMLT; Synopsis - We're training the future of this mission... As much as Canada wants us to leave, they don't know how... We're how... and like PRT/CIMIC, this is what people should know.

Of all the stories I read on MSM every day, the majority are about the first 2... There's so much more to tell over there and they're concentrating on some guy's tour in KAF... If I wanted to read about someones exp in KAF, there are about a million Blogs on BlogSpot, updated daily about the same crap... Seriously... go look for yourself.  At least then you can confirm that they actually did have a black out, and some were unfortunate enough to go without AC for a few hours. Meanwhile, I'll continue searching for some good stories about PRT, CIMIC and OMLT... as well as some stories from the front, as they can be used for lessons learned if nothing else.

Army News is a great idea, but they need to set some priorities.  If the MSM isn't going to report fairly on what we're accomplishing over there, then Army News should pick up the slack and show the reality of the mission.

And as was said, it could be as simple as finding a "grunt" on the line, or a PRT/CIMIC/OMLT member, handing them a video/still camera and let them Blog their tour... hell.. half of them are doing it anyway.  Lots of resources available.

 

[Blakey]

The note about "who cares what reservists do?"... well, reservists do, but we don't get Army news fed into our mess, or at our gyms... Cause we don't live on base... so it's kinda pointless.  And those are the only times I've seen an Army News broadcast; in the mess or in the lobby of the Gym on base...  And the reports are usually months old.

Agreed, things might have very well changed since I last scanned the masses about the Army News TV in our lines, (reservists are now more common place within regular force Bn's as well as on operations).

So, it very well be now, that regular force Inf types are more concerned with the state of LFRR and training, seeing as they have a vested interest (plenty of reserve force folks on tour).

Ref the TV thing, not sure if they still do it but, usually they sent out DVD's to the respective Reserve Bde's, for distribution to subunits.

 

[The Bread Guy]

.... it could be as simple as finding a "grunt" on the line, or a PRT/CIMIC/OMLT member, handing them a video/still camera and let them Blog their tour... hell.. half of them are doing it anyway.  Lots of resources available.

That's a pretty bang-on idea - civvy documentary producers are doing it, so no reason (that fat, civvy me can think of) not to give it at least a try.  "Helmet Cam for a Day" anyone?

 

[RHFC_piper]

Agreed, things might have very well changed since I last scanned the masses about the Army News TV in our lines, (reservists are now more common place within regular force Bn's as well as on operations).

So, it very well be now, that regular force Inf types are more concerned with the state of LFRR and training, seeing as they have a vested interest (plenty of reserve force folks on tour).

Ref the TV thing, not sure if they still do it but, usually they sent out DVD's to the respective Reserve Bde's, for distribution to subunits.

As much as reservists are working on base for deployment, I have to admit, when I was on base, I couldn't have cared less what was going on at my home unit.  I was too focused on the task at hand.  Besides, the few reports I did see which could have possibly affected my unit were so old that they had lost all relevance.  But, as much as I was focused, I did check in every once in a while.

About the DVD's; Never see 'em.  We get the standard budgie cage liner rags which are pumped out more than ammo (Maple leaf, etc.), and thats about it.

That's a pretty bang-on idea - civvy documentary producers are doing it, so no reason (that fat, civvy me can think of) not to give it at least a try.  "Helmet Cam for a Day" anyone?

Like I said, the resources are out there;  In my platoon alone there were 2 guys with helmet cams.  besides everyones Digital cams.  With enough incentive, any young pte/cpl would be more than happy to report what really happens outside the wire.  All they have to do is pass it back with a convoy, and let the editors pick away at it... kinda like the way media works anyway.  Just let the troops blog through an Army run site and voila, instant front line reports with maximum supervision for OPSEC and PERSEC. 


****  All these Ideas and I'll still be a Cpl forever **** 

 

[Blakey]

Like I said, the resources are out there;  In my platoon alone there were 2 guys with helmet cams.  besides everyones Digital cams.  With enough incentive, any young pte/cpl would be more than happy to report what really happens outside the wire.  All they have to do is pass it back with a convoy, and let the editors pick away at it... kinda like the way media works anyway.  Just let the troops blog through an Army run site and voila, instant front line reports with maximum supervision for OPSEC and PERSEC. 


****  All these Ideas and I'll still be a Cpl forever **** 

Something along the lines of
The War Tapes (Preview) ?

Straight from the front lines in Iraq, THE WAR TAPES is the first war movie filmed by soldiers themselves. These soldiers bypassed Pentagon supervised media to share their experience like never before. Funnier, spicier, and more gut wrenching than news reports, this is Operation Iraqi Freedom as filmed by Sergeant Steve Pink, Sergeant Zack Bazzi and Specialist Mike Moriarty. Steve is a wisecracking carpenter who aspires to be a writer. Zack is a Lebanese-American university student who loves to travel and is fluent in Arabic. Mike is a father who seeks honor and redemption. Each leaves a woman behind - a girlfriend, a mother and a wife. Through their candid footage, these men open their hearts and take us on an unforgettable journey, capturing camaraderie and humor along with the brutal and terrifying experiences they face. These soldiers got the story that 2,700 embedded reporters never could.

 

[punisher_6d]

Like I said, the resources are out there;  In my platoon alone there were 2 guys with helmet cams.  besides everyones Digital cams.  With enough incentive, any young pte/cpl would be more than happy to report what really happens outside the wire.  All they have to do is pass it back with a convoy, and let the editors pick away at it... kinda like the way media works anyway.  Just let the troops blog through an Army run site and voila, instant front line reports with maximum supervision for OPSEC and PERSEC. 

How true.  There are some very talented and budding journalists out there.  The military Public Affairs simply has to tap into this resource.  In many cases the story writing and photography simply blows away any Regular Force contribution.  There's a military guy on CBC, Russell Storring who writes rather well.  Why doesn't the Army tap into this rich and valuable resource?  Somebody up there is not thinking.

 

[Dissident]

#1

Holy crap.....

Cry me a river.         :crybaby:

I won't get into how I know this individual....         :

Regards

I do not appreciate that tone. Maybe her blog entry was not really exciting and didn't bring what you would like to read to the table, but that can not justify your response. If you know her personaly, you should know that she is accutely aware that her living condition in KAF, even without air conditioning, are nothing to really complain about. She wasn't whinning and didn't dwel on it.

She might not be a door crasher and might not have plenty of cool stories to share. Maybe her story shouldn't be on an official news website. But how many times have we said on this site that we are not winning the war at home, because we are not connecting with people at home and communicating what we are doing here? Her story might not resonate with you, but it might resonate with others.

Sure, it seems like thats all we are putting out there, along with body counts. But that brings me to my second point:

From the perspective of someone who wrote something and tried to get it approved for distribution (you can find it somewhere on this site) it is really a frustrating process.

Not for the reasons you would think. The PAffO was great, he had a few changes to sanitize further my text, but left it mostly unchanged.

But by the time it got to him, I had done a lot of self censoring. Then I showed an early version to my chain of command, who ended up having serious issues with it and their perceived views on my understanding of ROEs and of my understanding of the training.

And my little story was really all about a non event. It was just a ride as an air sentry where NOTHING happened. I can imagine what a troop would go through, if he tried to share officially his experience when he got caught in a TiC and actually had to return fire.

I'm sure there are plenty of eager door kickers with amazing writting abilities, just itching to share their experiences. But why would they bother? It is much more trouble than its worth and probably liable to get you charged. I know I am not interested in repeating the process. Why open yourself up too such scrutiny?

And Punisher, care to fill in your profile a bit? Just asking.

Edited for PERSEC, no names, please.

 

[RHFC_piper]

She might not be a door crasher and might not have plenty of cool stories to share. Maybe her story shouldn't be on an official news website. But how many times have we said on this site that we are not winning the war at home, because we are not connecting with people at home and communicating what we are doing here? Her story might not resonate with you, but it might resonate with others.

I agree that, perhaps, the first response was a little much, and I agree that the original author is entitled to tell what ever story she wants, but as I've posted before; everyone in KAF has a Blog which reads the same (I know not everyone does... its just an exaggeration, but there are a lot)... and why? It may have something to do with time, equipment (computers), etc. Either way, there's already a lot coming out of KAF and it's usually all the same.  There have been some stories coming out of KAF which were fairly unique (eg. from the roll 3 MMU), but most of the interesting rolls have little time to write about them. 
My point is; there are other things going on in Afghanistan besides the KAF and the Battlegroup.  And if we really want to win the info war with Canadians, we might want to promote stories about the changes we are making...
As much as people can connect with living in KAF, it might be more helpful to the cause to help them connect with people who deal with the locals directly in affecting change.

Sure, it seems like thats all we are putting out there, along with body counts. But that brings me to my second point:

From the perspective of someone who wrote something and tried to get it approved for distribution (you can find it somewhere on this site) it is really a frustrating process.

Not for the reasons you would think. The PAffO was great, he had a few changes to sanitize further my text, but left it mostly unchanged.

But by the time it got to him, I had done a lot of self censoring. Then I showed an early version to my chain of command, who ended up having serious issues with it and their perceived views on my understanding of ROEs and of my understanding of the training.

And my little story was really all about a non event. It was just a ride as an air sentry where NOTHING happened. I can imagine what a troop would go through, if he tried to share officially his experience when he got caught in a TiC and actually had to return fire.

I didn't have much troubles writing a piece about my experience during Op Medusa, or the Friendly Fire incident the next day... and the piece was cleared and is now being published.
It's not that hard, you just have to play by all the rules.

I'm sure there are plenty of eager door kickers with amazing writting abilities, just itching to share their experiences. But why would they bother? It is much more trouble than its worth and probably liable to get you charged. I know I am not interested in repeating the process. Why open yourself up too such scrutiny?

If a combat soldier believes their story is worth writing, can follow the rules (OpSec and PerSec) and are willing to stay in their lanes, then there should be no problem.

I've read your piece, I've even suggest soldiers from my unit read it as well (lessons learned) and it is a very good piece... I can even understand why some could have problems with it, but not so much that it couldn't go to print.
It's not a huge fight to get thing in print, there are many avenues and as I've said; as long as you play by all the rules, you can publish your story. (eg. Dr. Patterson's piece, and soon to be published "outside the wire" which is a collection of stories from soldiers.)

Consider this; as I've stated in other posts on this tread, If the CF/DND set up the resources for soldiers to write and report from the field, they would... Build it, and they will come.

Edited quote for PERSEC

 

[observor 69]

RHFC Piper I don't know where your future lies in the working world but I have frequently thought as I read your comments that you are one of those people who can write.  Unlike many of us who struggle to bring our thoughts to paper your pieces stand out in their clarity and skill at writing.
Just something I thought you'd like to know. 

 

[The Bread Guy]

Something along the lines of The War Tapes (Preview) ?

Just got my copy today, so I can't vouch for the piece as a whole yet, but that was EXACTLY the concept I was thinking of - helmet- and rifle-cams all about, with technical and (only where needed) wordsmithing experts (although I have to agree with others here that with some of the talent out there, this should be minimal) honing a final product.

 

[punisher_6d]

Dissident,

This is truly bad journalism.  Let's call a spade a spade and leave it at that, OK?