Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Courtney Rorick | Pfc. Gabrielle Scibetta stands in the units area of operation collecting information...... read more read more
GRAYLING, Mich. - Unpredictable. The word that best describes the weather in Michigan. A few days into my first field Annual Training, standing in the chilling rain, boots and socks soaked and doing everything I could to take photographs, I discovered the packing list I had been supplied with had led me astray. The moment you assume, for example, Michigan will be warm during the month of July, and you don’t pack your cold weather gear or an extra pair of boots, is when the opposite occurs and you find yourself up the creek without a paddle. I found myself changing my socks multiple times a day and hanging my boots and socks out of a moving vehicle to air dry.
New boots were eventually purchased.
My first AT was at Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center, Mich., where five states converged for an almost three-week long, scenario-based exercise know as eXportable Combat Training Capability. I had the pleasure of covering the training of soldiers in the New Hampshire Army National Guard as they partook in battery assault drills, sling-loading M777 Howitzers and manning a Q-37 Firefinder radar.
Anxious and nervous for my first AT, I knew the demanding consecutive workdays would be wildly beneficial.
My first few days in the field I spent hiding under my NCOIC’s wings as she showed me the ways of public affairs. Being a Private First Class in the Army I’m at the bottom of the barrel, which makes interacting with non-commissioned officers and above challenging – but not impossible. While maintaining a professional and respectful demeanor I found myself intimidated by rank, which initially made collecting interviews and taking photographs, for lack of a better word, awkward. The NCOIC mentored and encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone. The more I interacted with soldiers that outranked me I found myself more at ease while doing my job.
I learned to not be afraid of experimenting, even if it doesn’t produce a masterpiece. Failure was a reminder to try again until I got it right. The tools of my trade include a camera, notepad and a laptop; I have had no training using a video camera. My NCOIC presented me with an opportunity to test the water with her gear; I now appreciate her work and all broadcasters more after the brief moments holding the video camera and fumbling with it’s multitude of buttons.
XCTC presented me with an opportunity to not only learn more about the soldiers from my state but also others. One of the best days I had in the field, I found myself on my own and imbedded with an artillery unit from Michigan. I pushed my limits, and myself, getting up close and personal with the soldiers as they sling loaded a Howitzer from a Chinook. The enthusiasm they radiated was contagious; I was excited, curious and snap-happy with my camera.
My job validates my nosey attitude.
I asked every question and whenever one of the soldiers spewed an acronym I didn’t understand I had no problem asking for clarification. It was the perfect environment for me to take chances and try new things. Whether I was using new equipment, dealing with the stress of putting out product in a timely manner or seeing how long I could go wearing the same pair of socks.
I am still new to the world of Public Affairs and adjusting to how fast product has to be captured, edited and released. The past two weeks have shown me that I am one painfully slow journalist. As I become more experienced in the field I hope to develop my time management, and to be quite frank it too me far too long to write this.
As my 14 hour work days come to an end, and I finally have a moment to breathe, I find myself faced with a new challenge: packing up and heading home. Fingers crossed I don’t leave anything behind and at present I am regretting having signed out so much equipment. I’d like to say my first AT was a success, I didn’t break any of my equipment, I produced publishable product and as far as I’m aware I still have my wits about me.
| Date Taken: | 07.24.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 07.24.2014 14:45 |
| Story ID: | 137182 |
| Location: | GRAYLING, MI, US |
| Hometown: | HOLDERNESS, NH, US |
| Web Views: | 1,043 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, A Private's Life For Me, by PFC Gabrielle Scibetta, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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