Tamgerine
TPF Noob!
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2012
- Messages
- 131
- Reaction score
- 71
- Location
- DC
- Website
- www.tammyhineline.com
- Can others edit my Photos
- Photos OK to edit
Thanks for doing what you do, Tammy. Death by PowerPoint would be even worse without combat camera.
The only soldier in my brigade to make the ultimate sacrifice on my last deployment was a combat camera attached from another unit. She was too close to an ANA mortar training accident, which also took the lives of several Afghans. I guess my question is, who is looking out for you, and making that judgement call that the photos aren't worth the risk? I can appreciate that as a junior NCO it can be difficult to put your foot down, especially if you're being attached to other units and separated from your NCO chain.
Sent from my phone with my giant, uncoordinated sausage thumbs.
Thanks for doing what you did, too. I think a lot of people in the military, especially those who I know right now in the Marine Corps, feel that they're not doing enough because they're not kicking down doors and fighting bad guys. Everyone who serves does it in their own way to the best of their abilities. We all contribute.
As for who is looking out for me, it depends on where we're at in the support chain. At the top is my Gunnery Sgt. who coordinates all the big support jobs. If we get a request for a big shoot like a patrol, convoy, or support to Afghan forces they have to have their trash together. That means a solid travel/security plan. We've had last minute requests where there were no details, or the plan was iffy. That's a no go.
We always have security with us when we provide support to the Afghans. You can't just hop on an Afghan convoy, for example.
On things like ranges it'll be the range personnel or the advisors who monitor the safety of the training.
After that it's me. I will admit I'm not the most safety conscious individual. I"ll wander off if I'm able to. I'm young, feel invincible, and have a gun. What else could I ask for? There have been several times where my simply being there (because I'm female) has drawn a crowd or unwanted attention. I've been surrounded a few times and at that point it's my job to say "enough" and get myself out of that situation without creating havoc or an international incident.
Beyond that you just kind of accept the risk. It's a risky job sometimes and you just have to evaluate each situation differently.
I wouldn't say it's too difficult for me to put my foot down. When it comes to security issues we take it very seriously here. I'm also the Subject Matter Expert on deck - you've got ONE of me, and if you want photo support like you requested you'll have to listen to what I need and where I need to be. But I also know when I can get away with things and when I can't. If I'm out on patrol I'm not the boss - I work within their limits. They're the professionals with all the experience, running the patrol, keeping everyone safe, fighting the fight. In some situations I just do what I'm told.