March 2009

Marine print journalist goes broadcaster in Afghanistan

Marine Cpl. Kimberly Crawford, a combat correspondent stationed at Camp Lejuene, N.C., edits video with assistance from Air Force Staff Sgt. Jeff St. Sauveur at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Feb. 14, 2009. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Matthew Thompson

Marine Cpl. Kimberly Crawford, a combat correspondent stationed at Camp Lejuene, N.C., edits video with assistance from Air Force Staff Sgt. Jeff St. Sauveur at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Feb. 14, 2009. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Matthew Thompson

By Army Spc. Matthew Thompson, serving with the 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – It’s not unusual for servicemembers to find themselves in new jobs during deployments. But what sets each one apart is how they handle those transitions.

Those who work with Marine Corps Cpl. Kimberly Crawford say she is an example of how to make the most of changing situations – and impress those around her.

“Not many people can walk into a job and hit the ground running, and do what she has done,” said Air Force Staff Sgt. Jeff St. Sauveur, an American Forces Network producer who works with Crawford here. “She takes everything you throw at her and makes it awesome.”

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By Jason Fudge, ago

The Great Americans.com 2009 Military Videographer Awards seeking entries

Several awards will be given to military videographers who best capture the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform through videos uploaded to GreatAmericans.com.

WHO:    Sponsored by Great Americans.com and the GI Film Festival
WHERE:   The GI Film Festival is the premier awards venue for independent filmmakers involved in the creation of films that celebrate the heroic stories of the American Armed Forces engaged in the worldwide struggle for liberty. This prestigious film festival is now in its fourth year and will be held in Washington, DC at the Carnegie Institution for Science on May 13-17.

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By Jason Fudge, ago

2009 Merit Award winners announced

Congratulations to all the award winners! (Don’t forget to register for the conference so you can pick up your award in person….)  All winning entries will be displayed here as soon as the Thomas Jefferson Awards have been judged so check back to see what the competition had to offer.  (Tip: Looking for a specific award or your name? Use the search field in the upper right corner of this page next to the magnifying glass. Type your last name and cross your fingers…) 

Metro-Format Newspaper
1st:  Camp Lejeune Globe
2d:  Hawaii Marine
HM:  (t) Windsock, Camp Pendleton Scout

Tabloid Format Newspaper
1st:  Flight Jacket
2d:  Observation Post
HM: (t) Okinawa Marine, Chevron

The Jack Lewis Magazine Format Publication Award
1st:  None selected
2nd: None selected
HM:  Continental Marine

News Article
1st:  LCpl. Graham Benson, MCAS Yuma
2d:  LCpl. Randall Little (org to come)
HM: LCpl. Jeffery Singsank, 1st MLG

Feature Article
1st:  SSgt. Ethan Rocke, Los Angeles Public Affairs
2d:  Sgt. Ray Lewis, 1st Marine Division
HM: LCpl. Katie Mathison, II MEF

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By Jason Fudge, ago

Military Reporters & Editors annual contest is seeking entries

Military Reporters & Editors annual contest is seeking entries for stories on the military, veterans’ affairs, national defense, homeland security, etc  in print, photography, broadcasting and online media. The contest will be headlined by the Joseph Galloway Award for Distinguished Journalism, which will offer a $500 award for the best-of-show Read more…

By Jason Fudge, ago

The Verdict Is In: Merit Award Entries ‘Best in Years’



Liz Murray, from the Pentagon TV channel and Dave Hugel, former Marine CC, served as judges for the broadcast (radio and television) segment.

Liz Murray, from the Pentagon TV channel and Dave Hugel, former Marine CC, served as judges for the broadcast (radio and television) segment. Photo by Sgt. Jeremy Vought of Marines TV

The review and analysis, sometimes involving spirited debate, consumed about 32 hours in four separate sessions over a two-day period. When it ended on March 6, the 12 judges, meeting in Washington , D.C. , had selected the best from nearly 1,000 entries in this year’s USMCCCA and the Marine Corps’ Division of Public Affairs Merit Awards program.
And a consensus seemed to emerge from the volunteer civilian judges that perhaps this 41st annual competition ranked as one of the very best, at least over recent years.
The first place winners in 47 categories encompassing photo, print and broadcast journalism, along with the runners up, will be honored at the USMCCCA’s gala awards banquet during the annual conference at Hampton , VA in September.

Chas Henry

Chas Henry

“We reviewed a great deal of solid journalistic craft,” said broadcast judge and former Marine CC Chas Henry, currently executive director of communications at the U.S. Naval Institute. “Few of the many broadcast entries, however, related to activities in Iraq or Afghanistan …the public affairs community is doing a disservice to Marines in the field if it is not applying its internal electronic production skills to tell stories of Marines’ extraordinary accomplishments.”
Henry added: “I was encouraged to see continued improvement in the overall quality of these productions. I’d encourage Marines to consider their storytelling work an obligation. Marines are in tough places, undertaking tough work on behalf of their fellow citizens – too often out of sight of those Americans back home. Don’t let their efforts go unseen.”

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By Jason Fudge, ago