Army officer combat photographer

<p>Hello,<br>

I am currently enrolled in an ROTC program at my college, I will be attending LDAC this summer and commission as an officer in the Army reserves June 2012. My question, as a 2Lt can I be a combat photographer? I haven't been able to find an answer. Please don't offer me other branches of service or discuss joining the military in general. I am a set course and the only answer that can help me is can I be a photographer as an Lt in the Army.<br>

P.S. I saw a 1Lt photographing at change of command ceremony but I don't know if that was her MOS or something she does on the side.<br>

Thank you.</p>

<p>I can't speak to the army, but when I was in the navy, the photographers were all enlisted men, not officers. The expectations of the officers were to oversee the photo activities, planning, training, processing, distribution, and ensure the quality was always up to the expected standards. Many of them also had pr duties as well, interacting with the local and national media.</p>

<p>Troy: I had an occasion to talk to half a dozen CPs (US Army) at a training event last fall. They were all enlisted folks, and from what I could gather, everyone farther up the food chain were (as Stephen indicates) more involved in managing them, dealing with training and technology, doing public affairs stuff, dealing with communications projects, etc. Which isn't to say they might not pick up a camera from time to time, but I think that's mostly specialist stuff. <br /><br />The good news? It's not all guys doing it! Below are two of the CPs I was talking to, about to deploy to Iraq. On the right is the person to whom they report. She was entirely in supervisor mode that day. </p><div></div>

<p>Troy,<br>

I was a Combat Photographer in Vietnam (1966-67), and I can tell you that it's a very demanding job. On the plus side, I consider that to be one of the most rewarding things I've ever done in life.<br>

The MOS for enlisted is 25V (I believe that's correct). What you want to do is talk to your recruiter and ask about getting into the "Defense Information School" at Ft. George C Mead. The Army presently has only one Combat Photography unit on active duty. That unit (55th Signal Company, Combat Camera) is also located at Ft. Mead. That is THE unit you want to be assigned to, if at all possible. I'm in touch with the Sr. Still Photography Instructor at the DINFOS school, and it's my understanding that EVERY photo team has an officer and Sr. NCO assigned to it. I correspond w/him via Facebook periodically.<br>

Good luck to ya' and let me know how this works out for you. If ya' need more information, contact me via e-mail and I'll get all the info I can</p>

 

<p>As a Combat Photographer in the Corps for nearly 18 years, I admire your decision - get ready to have some real fun!<br />I recall many joint operations that pooled together photographers, journalists, and other camera jockies from all the Armed Services. So, you would be wise to enlist the experiences of all of us, not just the Army. Remember: it's the Color Purple. Think Joint Ops, Lt!</p>

<p>Hello, Troy: If you are thinking about the day to day photography the short answer is NO. As an officier your career path would not fit the requirements of a CP. However, I would suggest that you discuss your career goals with your senior commissioned Army Advisor. From reading your post is appears to me that you need to distinguish the duties of an oficeer and the duties of an enlisted specialist. Please don't misconstrue my comments. One is not better than another- just different. Former Master Sergeant and now retired U.S. Army Officer.</p>

<p>Also a CP in the Corps, you may want to consider Public Affairs. You wont get as many opportunities to shoot, but they do have Officers. If your looking for Journalism, that's where you need to go. I know of several Public Affairs Officers who still get out and write/shoot. Good luck</p>

<p>I am also a CP in the Corps (enlisted). You may want to consider Public Affairs. You wont get as many opportunities to shoot, but they do have officers. If your looking for journalism, that's where you need to go, anyway. I know of several Public Affairs Officers who still get out and write/shoot. Good luck</p>