Milblog Conference 2007- Panel #1
FROM THE FRONT, Moderator: Matt of Blackfive.
I had the honor of being asked to participate in the Milblog Conference 2007 Panel #1, From the Front. I of course jumped at the opportunity. Sitting on the panel with me were Bill Ardolino of InDCJournal, Bill Roggio of The Fourth Rail, yours truly of Sgt Hook, and last but certainly not least, Sean of Doc in the Box.
The panel was able to provide insight on milblogging while deployed. This unique perspective raised several questions regarding limitations on content and access and a discussion ensued regarding the new Army regulations concerning OPSEC.
Bill Roggio did a good job of answering questions comparing, actually contrasting, Milblogs and the Main Stream Media as they report from the field. The consensus from the panel seemed to be that Milbloggers on whole do not resent the MSM, nor try to compete with them, but recognize that Milbloggers don’t feel the need to have explosions and casualties to publish a post, and are quite content with that. Most of the panel was hopeful that they are able to fill in the gaps that are missed by the MSM.
As the first panel was wrapping up, an audience member approached the microphone and shared a story of how while on his way to the conference he had met a young soldier (in uniform) in the airport and stopped to thank him for his service. A moment later he noticed a lady hugging the same soldier and saying loudly to him that she was doing everything she could to bring him home. The audience member asked our panel how he should respond to such comments. Feeling my blood temperature rising I quickly answered, “that’s an easy one, I’d tell her that we don’t want to come home until we’ve won.”
Next up, Panel #2, All in the Family.
