Objectives
Ultimately, my greatest interest is in the human element behind every story. My English skills, ethical principles and demanding grammatical standards have garnered me praise as an editor, and I enjoy the opportunity to work closely with other writers. However, my dream job is one in which I am still able to find and write stories, even if only periodically.
Experience
Reporter and Editor
Nov. 2009 – Sept. 2010, United States Division-South, Camp Basra, Iraq
- Reporting on and photographing various events around the south of Iraq
involving U.S. and Iraqi entities, including military, governmental and
civilian, and the interaction of those involved.
- Editing all content produced by the U.S. military in southern Iraq from Nov.
2009 – Jun. 2010, both photographic and written, as well as coaching
reporters both in-office and at a distance.
- Maintained a “virtual office” environment, with all tracking and
communication carried out through intranet and Internet, including
development of a Google Apps environment to adapt to needs of
reporters and consumers.
- Creation from scratch of the multi-section template for the 1st Infantry
Division’s field newspaper, the “Danger Forward”, with a 24-hour turnaround
from assignment to completion.
- Mentoring of layout editor, who had no previous experience in layout,
including complete training in the use of Adobe InDesign and Photoshop,
while maintaining regular workload as editor.
- Mentoring and training new reporters/photographers who had little or no
previous journalism experience.
- Developing and implementing standards for submissions and releases,
including handling of photos and captions.
- As a subject matter expert, advised on the implementation of online
engagement of potential audiences, including Facebook, Twitter and
website design.
- While editor, continued normal work in that capacity even while on story
assignments to other locations around Iraq, keeping contact by whatever
Internet connection could be found.
- Received formal and informal recognition from supervisors, as well as
from writers and subjects of stories, for maintaining the writers’ voices and
careful adherence to journalistic principles.
- Was recommended for Meritorious Service Medal by immediate
command for these and other accomplishments, which was upgraded by
the division commander to a Bronze Star.
Editor
Nov. 2005 – Sept. 2010, 367th MPAD, Yearling Rd., Columbus, Ohio
- First appointed editor for the 367th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, an
Army Reserve unit, shortly after the unit returned from deployment to Iraq.
- Though the job was not daily, it involved careful tracking of my own and
other peoples’ time over distance in order to provide coverage of Army
events around Ohio with the limited hours we were allotted each month.
- The position demanded editing, reporting and coordinating stories while
maintaining normal work and school schedules outside of the military, and, with no immediate boss or outside emphasis on deadlines, required a great deal of initiative and discipline.
Public Affairs Specialist and Combat Journalist
May 2002 – Nov. 2005, 367th MPAD, Yearling Rd., Columbus, Ohio
- After completion of training at the Defense Information School, Fort
Meade, Md., was sent on a two-week training event as the only print
journalist, and, with no real world experience, carried the workload of a full
three-person team.
- Deployed to Kuwait and Iraq from April 2003 to April 2004, maintaining a
fairly independent presence while working as a combat journalist with
both Marine and U.S. Army elements.
- Had articles and photographs published in many civilian newspapers and
such sites as GlobalSecurity.org, as well as having his articles cited by
civilian journalists.
- Was awarded the Army Commendation Medal by recommendation of the
4th Infantry Division, along with the rest of his 20-person unit, for assisting
civilian media during and after the capture of Saddam Hussein.
Education
DINFOS (Defense Information School), Fort Meade, Md.
Aug. 2002 – Nov. 2002
- Completed the intensive writing and photographic training program
created for the military’s public affairs and combat journalism personnel.
June 2005
- Completed the Editors Course, the required program for both civilian and
military editors working on U.S. military publications throughout the world.
E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
Sept. 2005 – June 2009
- News writing and editing with specialization in English
- Degree is not yet awarded, as school determines eligibility of military work
to fulfill internship qualifications. All other coursework and GPA
requirements have been met and surpassed.
References References are available on request.