MARINE CORPS RECRUIT SAN DIEGO -- As a young Marine, I didn’t understand how the components of the Department of Defense work together as a whole. I also didn’t understand how the various services use each other’s resources to provide the finest defense and protection for American citizens.
When I was chosen to attend a photography class at a three-week photojournalism training at Fleet Combat Camera Pacific at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, Calif., I learned how the services can work together for the greater good.
On the initial hazy morning of the class, I crossed the Coronado-San Diego Bridge for the first time. Although Coronado is technically not an island, the act of crossing the bridge amplified my excitement in that I was entering foreign territory and would inevitably learn about new people, places and activities.
The first week was overwhelming. We were familiarized with our cameras, and learned about all the functions on our Nikon D300. We applied what we had learned during a challenge where we could not use our flashes in the very dim-lit environment.
Therefore, our familiarity with the functions on the camera came to be very useful.
That same week we got better acquainted with Photoshop and quickly understood what the program can do to enhance our photographs. The instructor emphasized how crucial it is to know what you are authorized to change, or enhance, in a photograph and what is not authorized.
By the end of the week, we got to experience with low-light shooting using night vision lenses. The instructor said it is one of the most important pieces of equipment to have on deployments. During his experience, 90 percent of his shooting was done at night and mostly used for documentary purposes.
With so much knowledge and experience packed in one week, I really was anxious to see what the next two weeks would have in store for me.
Sure enough, I was not disappointed the following week, despite the early 4 a.m. arrival time at Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado. We were on a convoy to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., for a shoot with the sailors and Marines conducting a beach landing training exercise. It was at this shoot that I learned the most about how invaluable was our working relationships between the Navy and the Marines.
In the cool morning air, two navy commands were planning and preparing to execute the various exercises mapped out for the day. As I waited for some action, I turned my face to the rising sun and I felt its warmth. As I squinted, I noticed a silhouette of a tank coming over the sandy rocks, and then another. When they passed me, I noticed the words, “U.S. Marines” stenciled on the side and felt excitement. I wanted to see how Marines fit into this exercise previously saturated with sailors.
With the tanks staged in the rear of the training exercise, Marines were delivered to.
Red Beach by sailors from the Assault Craft Unit 5 through the use of a Landing Craft Utility. This training exercise is implemented to prepare both Marines and sailors for future deployments.
Following the delivery, the 11 Marine Expeditionary Unit Tank Platoon loaded four tanks onto the LCU. It was fascinating to witness the power and capability of military vehicles and how the diverse components work together to accomplish the mission which would otherwise be impossible to complete alone.
I enjoyed this shoot more than the others because I am accustomed to taking photos of simple training exercises of recruit training, not multiple-vehicle training maneuvers.
The following day, our images were heavily critiqued by our classmates and one of the instructors. This was designed to get different perspectives on the photos we shot. I felt this was very helpful because it gave me an opportunity to improve reoccurring mistakes I made during the shoot.
In effort to learn from my shooting patterns, I spent a Saturday in downtown San Diego during the protest of the Iranian government’s violent treatment of protesters in
Iran. This was a very emotional environment and I aimed to shoot photos to convey this. Having a focus is one of the lessons I learned though the classroom critiques.
I spent the last week shooting the of sailors in the Basic Underwater Demolition-SEAL School at the Naval Special Warfare Training Center in Coronado, Calif., in their preparation to become Navy SEALS.
During the three-week class covering shot composition, camera familiarization, night
vision shooting, and Photoshop skills, I learned more about the Navy-Marine cohesion
than my one-and-a-half years’ experience in the Corps.
Three instructors who have deployed around the globe shared their stories and experiences as combat photographers. And most importantly, I acquired hands-on experience as a photographer on high-paced sets producing intense action and determined people.
In the words of the great American photographer Berenice Abbott, “Photography helps people to see.” Although my journey has come to an end, it really opened up more doors for my understanding of how the DoD operates as a whole. I now see the massive capabilities our armed forces have due to the diverse aptitudes and uniqueness of the Marine Corps and Navy which together protect and defend the U.S.