View Full Version : Combat Camera in actual combat
morales19
06-02-10, 03:16 PM
One of my top 3 MOS choices is Combat Camera and i really would like to know if Combat Camera specialist are allowed to assist during missions and has any MARINE every seen them put down the Camera and pick up their Weapons in tough situations?
Civilian reporters (and I assume civilian camera men) have been known to be----"allowed to assist during missions".
Now just think for a minute here. Think about what you are asking.
You go through boot camp. You become a Marine. You become a camera man as your Marine MOS. The unit you are attached to is about to be over run and everyone killed.
And you are seriously asking if that Marine would be allowed to pick up a weapon?
I hate to say that there are dumb questions being asked.
The few times and I do mean few times we had a camera type with us they did no shooting. They were there to take pictures. They did carry a side arm. If we had been hit their job would have been to take pictures.
If we were about to be over run or they needed to protect themselves they would have taken their pistol out and would shoot at something.
morales19
06-02-10, 04:12 PM
Sorry for the bad wording and for not being detailed. I know their job is to digitally document what is going on around them and their unit, I think a better way to ask the question would be, Do these MARINES always have their eye through the View Finder or are they ever given a special mission where they go and take 2 or 3 shots and then from there they can assist the unit regardless if they are in distress or not. Also I was wondering if these MARINES are ever issued a primary weapon or does the equipment strictly consist of a Digital recording device and a side arm only. Sorry for the way i asked the question. It did seem extremely dumb.
Man, seriously, you're probably going to spend your time at the Pentagon taking pictures of Generals and designing their web page.
morales19
06-02-10, 04:24 PM
Why do you say? I thought it was common for a Marine Combat Camera Specialist to make at least one tour?
Rocky C
06-02-10, 04:33 PM
What MOS. Still Camera, Video???
You could be assigned to Ground, Air, Logistics, etc, etc, etc.
morales19
06-02-10, 04:34 PM
I am great with photography so I would want to start off by getting info on that but i am interested in both.
Look at it this way. The USMC will be paying a lot of money to send you through MOS school. They will expect you will function in your MOS. When you are out on an operation they will expect you are doing what you are trained to do.
If you think you will get this MOS and then be able to ditch your camera now and then to go out on missions as a shooter I think you will find this not to be the case.
Others though may have seen this differently.
But stuff happens. Marines have been know to do other jobs than what they were trained for. Sometimes people raise their hands and vol. Sometimes they are granted their wish.
For a few weeks during my combat tour General Walts driver was assigned to my Team. And he went out on missions with us. The General thought that all Marines should spend some time outside the wire.
So while not impossible I'd never pick this MOS thinking that you will be sort of a jack of all trades---camera today....shooter tomorrow.
If its a shooter you want to be then its something that starts with an 03...........
morales19
06-02-10, 05:08 PM
I understand 100% i think the reason why I was thinking so much on the matter is because I want to Find a MOS that i will truthfully be happy with and that just requires alot of soul searching and so far I like the way Combat Camera sounds. Its not really about the whole being a shooter thing, I have no problem in doing what ever it takes to benefit our country and the men and women over seas whether it means taking on a deployment or staying in the states, I just want to know im doing something that will save the lives of other men and women and I guess i realized that sometimes that takes force. I think the issue is were can i be useful for the cause
Why do you say? I thought it was common for a Marine Combat Camera Specialist to make at least one tour?
I'd assume you'd go wherever your unit goes. But because that MOS is needed at every unit in the Corps there's a chance you'll end up at a non-deployable duty station. And if you do you'll probably end up being a public affairs person-taking pictures of unit functions, award ceremonies, new join pics, maintaining websites, etc.
Did you google the MOS? By the description I just read I think I may have hit the nail on the head for what you'd be doing.
Combat correspondents gather news and feature materials for publication in command newspapers and magazines and for radio and television programs for internal and external release; respond to queries from the civilian media; perform media liaison functions during operations/exercises; conduct community relations programs; produce print and photographic materials; and edit/produce command newspapers and/or magazines.
*edit* Never mind, I just realized that there's a separate MOS and it's different than the one I'm talking about.
Rocky C
06-02-10, 06:07 PM
Perhaps your putting TOO Much into Soul Searching and should think about an Open Contract like I did. The Marine Corps will place you where you are needed.
Just being A Marine helps the cause no matter what your job is.
Remember, Teamwork!!!
Good luck to you whatever Your decision is..........
SlingerDun
06-02-10, 06:55 PM
Which entry level DSLR's could you personally recommend to an enthusiast but still newbie?
--->Dave
SpartanMullet
06-02-10, 06:57 PM
To help inform you, I was in combat camera in the Corps, and yes it's possible, but not mandatory to do a deployment. I personally got deployed to Iraq for OIF I, and I was in combat. I was issued an M16, but I have seen some photographers and public affairs Marines with only 9mm. All you need to know is that the Marine Corps will train you what to do in combat, but your primary job is to take photos of the grunts kicking a**. If you find yourself in a firefight where taking photos is not really an option, your training will take over and you will focus on getting rounds downrange at the enemy.
morales19
06-02-10, 06:59 PM
What MOS did the MARINE CORPS give you with an open contract.....Oh and BR34..Thank you for your help. I Have looked up some MOS descriptions about combat Camera but none are very descriptive.
hey if you have questions let me know im in the comcam field i am still at my mos school but our NCOs that are here have given us a lot of insight. Drop me a line if you want help.
SlingerDun
06-02-10, 07:04 PM
To help inform you, I was in combat camera in the Corps, and yes it's possible, but not mandatory to do a deployment. I personally got deployed to Iraq for OIF I, and I was in combat. I was issued an M16, but I have seen some photographers and public affairs Marines with only 9mm. All you need to know is that the Marine Corps will train you what to do in combat, but your primary job is to take photos of the grunts kicking a**. If you find yourself in a firefight where taking photos is not really an option, your training will take over and you will focus on getting rounds downrange at the enemy.Well then, just who i was looking for: a camera with good resolution that's not gonna crap out when it gets a little dust and morning dew on it?
morales19
06-02-10, 07:05 PM
To help inform you, I was in combat camera in the Corps, and yes it's possible, but not mandatory to do a deployment. I personally got deployed to Iraq for OIF I, and I was in combat. I was issued an M16, but I have seen some photographers and public affairs Marines with only 9mm. All you need to know is that the Marine Corps will train you what to do in combat, but your primary job is to take photos of the grunts kicking a**. If you find yourself in a firefight where taking photos is not really an option, your training will take over and you will focus on getting rounds downrange at the enemy.
This was very helpful towards one of my maine previous questions. I actually like the sound of it. I would def. Prefer to be under your conditions with a primary weapon then some of the other MARINES that i have seen only carrying a 9mm. That was one of the main things that had me iffy.
SpartanMullet
06-02-10, 07:46 PM
Well then, just who i was looking for: a camera with good resolution that's not gonna crap out when it gets a little dust and morning dew on it?
Well if you have money, go Canon. Those are some great cameras and lenses and they only keep getting better. More importantly than the body though is the lense. Spend money on good lenses. The L series lenses are unbeatable in my opinion, but very very expensive.
temarti
06-02-10, 08:26 PM
I just stepped up to DSLR, Canon xs kit lens and 70 - 300mm lens. For a beginner I am really impressed with the difference, they are fun to learn as well, lots of deleting.
morales19
06-02-10, 09:37 PM
Sorry guys but im a Pentax Lover and i have to say that for either the same or maybe even less $$ u can get the Pentax K-x or the K-7 and get amazing quality
Lisa 23
06-02-10, 10:04 PM
How about Marines, not guys. And yes, this does bother me.
morales19
06-02-10, 10:08 PM
sorry Sir........Well MARINES Im a Pentax lover and i have to say that for either the same or maybe even less $$ u can get the Pentax K-x or the K-7 and get amazing quality
morales19
06-02-10, 10:09 PM
I do apologize again....I try my hardest to respect ...my first slip up but it will be my last Sir
Lisa 23
06-02-10, 10:10 PM
sorry Sir........
I do apologize again....I try my hardest to respect ...my first slip up but it will be my last Sir
Really...do I look like a Sir to you? :evilgrin:
Did you even bother to look at my profile, avatar and my signature?
CQB0316
06-02-10, 10:12 PM
Bwahahahahahahahhaahahhahahahahahahah
temarti
06-02-10, 10:51 PM
LOL, now carry on... I looked at Pentax and Nikon, either way as stated before the money spent is certainly in the lens.. I can see this becoming an expensive hobby.
"I just want to know im doing something that will save the lives of other men and women and I guess"
It may be just me but I would never think of camera man when I think of this statement. Maybe taking pictures of those who are doing the above?
And I say this as someone who had a job where I did the exact same thing as your quote. Save lives.
Sounds to me you want a relative re mos that allows you do throw down the camera now and then and go out and play grunt for a spell. I think you will not find it so.
Watch "We were Soldiers" or "Full Metal Jacket" a few more times.
SlingerDun
06-03-10, 02:46 PM
Morales, the Pentax K-7 looks like a good choice for the outdoorsman but nothing seems to jump up and shout image quality in the samples i saw on web reviews. However most of the shots on your personal site are pretty sharp, what model of camera(s) are we looking at there?
--->Dave
morales19
06-03-10, 05:18 PM
Morales, the Pentax K-7 looks like a good choice for the outdoorsman but nothing seems to jump up and shout image quality in the samples i saw on web reviews. However most of the shots on your personal site are pretty sharp, what model of camera(s) are we looking at there?
--->Dave
I shoot Pentax K-100d which is actually one of the oldest DSLRs Pentax has to offer. I saved up and bought it from a Ritz Camera that eas goin out of Business and i made due with what i had. The Camera is just a tool.. I do agree that you need quality and certain Specs BUT the EYE not the Camera makes the photographer. Oh and in my pics we are also dealing with certain lighting and speedlights and brackets and all that good stuff sooo I think you would do great with a K-7 its Double of what my camera is and if you become a master at playing with light you will get oustanding results. Most photographers fight about cameras but its only and purely BRAND wars.
morales19
06-03-10, 06:42 PM
I would love to get a MARINES opinion about my photography business site...its ..
perception-of-light.smugmug.com
SlingerDun
06-03-10, 06:57 PM
Well if Arnold Neman say's don't worry about the camera, it's all in your head and heart" i reckon i've got some work to do:cool:
morales19
06-03-10, 07:03 PM
I KNOW you have the heart MARINE..... and we all tend to be artistic some how...you just need to find your NICHE
SlingerDun
06-03-10, 07:22 PM
I wonder if combat photographers are issued tripod/walking sticks for composing images on field ops. And batteries! Photographers used to hump a vest full of film now they gotta pack a case of Duracells on extended ops.
morales19
06-03-10, 07:27 PM
Well from what i have seen in the job description videos the military offers top of the line photography equipment and if so then the cameras will have a rechargeable lithium batter and many...
SlingerDun
06-04-10, 01:56 AM
...More importantly than the body though is the lense. Spend money on good lenses...Now i've been wondering for awhile if an $800 or more lens is overkill, matched up with a $350 point and shoot even though it clicks right into place and the manufactures say everything's cool.
Will the images captured with a "cheap" camera and expensive lens then be that much superior compared to those shot with the kit lens? I'm just wondering if it's worth trying to improve on a limited camera.
~Dave
temarti
06-04-10, 06:45 AM
Last night my oldest was inducted into the Nat. Jr. Honor Society, so after two weeks of practice with the DSLR (Canon) I thought I was ready to shoot better shots than the Sony point and shoot.
I only have 2 keepers, the lighting in the pictures was jacked and the focus with the 300mm lens was horrible. I have a lot to learn with this camera.
SpartanMullet
06-04-10, 09:44 AM
We normally didn't take tripods or monopods to the field. It's not very often we would be shooting a completely static subject. Also, the cameras we use aren't the kind that use Duracells, haha. ...