Journalism field experience

It wasn't an ordinary Thursday, as I woke up at 4:45 am to bike to campus. Who in their right mind would wake up at that hour? Believe me, it was pretty painful. But if I hadn't done it, I would have missed out on a day of army training exercises at Fort Greely, which is about a 2 hour drive from Fairbanks.

My News Reporting & Writing professor had told my class, and many other journalism classes, about an opportunity to "embed" with a unit of the 1-25th Stryker Brigade of Fort Wainwright. While 2 fellow journalism students and I had been told that meant we'd follow the 5-1 Cavalry on a scenario set up like a real war situation, we ended up getting a tour of training exercises. It included riding up part of Donnelly Dome in a Stryker (see above image with UAF student Faith Minnema on the right), learning about the gunnery range and riding in a Humvee behind a firing Stryker, meeting some Afghan men who help out with scenarios, and watching the medical unit take care of a staged emergency medical situation. What a day!

UAF's departments try to get students out "in the field" as much as possible, as I've witnessed through both the biology and journalism departments. The experiences I've had have given me many photography and story opportunities for which I'm grateful. The skills I've learned and used are invaluable for the future. I'm already looking forward to my next unique field opportunity!

Check out the UAF Journalism site! www.uaf.edu/journal