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What field is military journalism?

How is there any way to go to a path in military where me journalism can do? i want to share the soldiers stories and hearts with the world as a journalism. how i do that if I just started college in journalism. what i do first. any tips. i dont know my path really. I just had a change of path at sudden so feels lost.

Thank you comment icon Hi Gena, happy to hear from you again, Now, Karin gave an excellent advice, especially about the Volontariat and Bundeswehr journalism path. To add something, just start building a portfolio now by reporting on military-related topics, interview veterans, cover military history events, or analyze defense policies. Platforms like Medium, LinkedIn, or student newspapers are perfect for this. Over time, editors and recruiters will see your focus and passion. Keep your compass on your mission, to tell soldiers' stories. Start small, stay consistent. And feel free to reach out if you ever need anything at all. All the best out there bud. Dr H

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Subject: Career question for you

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Ankita’s Answer

Military journalism is a specialized field within the broader scope of journalism that focuses on covering military-related topics, including the experiences of soldiers, military policies, defense issues, and warfare. It combines elements of journalism with a deep understanding of military life, operations, and culture.

If you're passionate about sharing soldiers' stories and connecting the world with their experiences, there are several steps you can take to get started:

Research the Field: Military journalism often requires a strong understanding of both the journalistic process and military life. Learn about the military’s structure, culture, and terminology. Reading publications like Stars and Stripes or Military Times can help you get a feel for the type of content military journalists produce.

Look for Internships or Volunteer Opportunities: Reach out to military-focused publications or organizations to find internships or volunteer roles. Some journalism schools also have connections to military bases or organizations that provide media training specific to military journalism.

Connect with Veterans and Active Duty Soldiers: Building a network with those who have military experience can be crucial. Consider interviewing veterans or active-duty soldiers, attending events, or joining organizations that support military personnel. Their stories will give you the firsthand experience you'll need for authentic storytelling.

Consider Joining the Military as a Journalist: Many military branches offer opportunities for journalists to serve as military public affairs officers (PAOs) or combat correspondents. While this requires a commitment to the military, it provides an incredible opportunity to report directly from military settings and share the stories you want to tell.

Focus on Storytelling: Military journalism isn’t just about reporting on operations and tactics; it’s about telling human stories. Make sure you focus on the personal experiences of soldiers, their families, and the impact of military life. This can include issues like mental health, reintegration, and the emotional toll of service.

Take Courses in Military Affairs or Conflict Reporting: As you’re already in journalism school, look for courses related to military history, international relations, or conflict reporting. This will provide you with the necessary context for your stories and deepen your understanding of military operations.

Start Writing: You don’t have to wait for a big opportunity to begin your journey. Start writing and publishing articles on military-related topics. You could write for your college newspaper, start a blog, or pitch articles to local media outlets that cover military issues.

It’s okay to feel lost at first—this is a field that combines passion, dedication, and constant learning. The key is to remain focused on your goal of sharing soldiers' stories, even as you explore different paths in journalism. Best of luck on your journey!
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Karin’s Answer

Hi Gena,

I see you are already studying journalism. That's a first step. If you want to report from war and crisis areas, the general field would be "Auslandskorrespondent" or more specifically "Kriegsberichterstatter".

You can pursue a traditional education path of a degree in journalism followed by a "Voluntariat" and then find a position with print media or TV news.

You could also pursue a career as "Redakteur" with the "Bundeswehr".

As you know, not everyone who works as a journalist, has a degree in journalism or any formal training in journalism. A deep knowledge of history, politics and languages of a certain area and/or a military background could also lead you on this path.

I hope this helps! All the best to you!

KP


https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:EU:9c863017-23d9-4b08-9920-e689f65bde56

Karin recommends the following next steps:

https://www.dfjv.de/beruf/journalismus-als-beruf
https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:EU:4a3b7a20-2c0b-48e5-9be7-b57eefa2a9cc
https://www.bundeswehrkarriere.de/redakteurin-redakteur-228
https://www.unibw.de/bw/nachrichten/nachrichten_ifj/vortrag_glass
https://www.anwalt.org/kriegsberichterstattung/
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