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And...Action!; Media take new place in fighting units

USMC News

Story Identification Number: 20033131310
Story by Lance Cpl. Shawn C. Rhodes

CAMP RYAN, Kuwait(March 12, 2003) -- From the heat of Vietnam and Kuwait, to the cold of North Korea, journalists have followed the Marines Corps everywhere it could carry guns. In the past, reporters had to find their own way to where the action was happening, whether by plane, train, or on the back of a water bull. A new Department of Defense policy allows reporters to embed into military units and report from the front lines.

In the Gulf War, news cameras broadcasted the lights from missile attacks to millions of homes around the world. Although the Marine Corps accepted the media, they have never been allowed to eat, sleep, and live with the units, until now.

"It's definitely going to be a challenge, living with Marines. There's a lot to learn," said Andrew North, a radio correspondent with the British Broadcasting Corporation. "It's great to really get a feel for the situation out here from inside the Marine camps."

Media from around the world met in Kuwait City recently to begin their embedding. There they were issued gas masks, flak jackets, and Mission-Oriented Protective Posture gear in case of a biological or chemical attack. Just like Marines, the media must have their gas masks with them everywhere they go.

Many Marines are excited about the new policy. Not only will it allow them to be seen back home, often by live satellite broadcasts from the field, but also it will present an unbiased side of military actions.

"I think it's a great thing. It's the first time anything like this has been done, but we all think it's a good deal," said Col. James Smoots, chief of staff for Task Force Tarawa, to the BBC. "I know this is definitely going to be a story worth listening to. The whole world should know what's happening here."

Marines were surprised to see civilians carrying around video cameras, tripods, and high tech-looking equipment.

"The big cameras and microphones kind of gave them away as reporters," said Lance Cpl. Mark A. Brennan, an administration clerk with Task Force Tarawa. "It was pretty funny seeing all these civilians in the middle of a Marine Corps camp, looking awkward as could be."

Not being able to bring their whole studio with them, believe it or not, does work in reporters' favor. When not moving with the units in High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle or other tactical vehicles - they have to carry their own gear. Reporters must get used to carrying everything from their clothes to their hygiene gear on their backs, just like Marines. Carrying their gear is not going to be as much a problem for many reporters as getting their stories back to their companies will be.

"We're all going to have a problem getting material back, because of the lack of computer communication in the field," said North.

In addition to the lack of email and other forms of communication to the civilian world, there are other downsides for the media who embed with military units.

"Anything that comes from embedded media in the field, people listening will be skeptical about," said North. "Because we're embedded in military units, we have to make sure we are not being spokesmen for the military."

Although embedded into military units, reporters are still given all the freedoms of a civilian. Having the freedom to go home whenever they wish, they are not held in their assigned unit. And although living in the field with Marines, they can still wear civilian clothes. This makes them easily obvious to Marines around camp.

"I think they should wear cammies, like us," said Brennan. The Houston, Texas, native, continued "the chaplain is a non-combatant, and he wears cammies. It's just a good idea if you're in a combat situation."

Colonel Smoots added the reporters would not be put in harm's way any more than the Marines and that he hoped they would take full advantage of the new DoD policy.

"We have very honorable military men and women out here," said Smoots. The Hampstead, N.C. native concluded by saying "this is going to be a great event in history. I'm glad we have a great media relationship to get the story told."