Military Endeavors

      Military Veterans?! What do I know about military veterans and how am I going to pass a class that's specializing in this topic?? These were the exact thoughts running through my head as I looked through the syllabus on the first day of class.
      I'm the type of person that likes to be one step ahead of the game and be knowledgeable in any field prior to a challenge being given. In this case, I was thrown a complete proverbial curve ball, which I am still trying to catch in a way. Believe it or not though, just in the past couple weeks, I have learned a great deal about Military and Veteran Affairs which I didn't know before.
      The military in itself is a huge part of our society, especially at this time when troops are arriving back in the states and some are even being deployed as we speak. Getting this topic for our class was scary at first, but the knowledge that will come from it will certainly be helpful. Not only will it be useful to me as an aspiring journalist, but I will go on multiple journeys and meet numerous people who I haven't before and hear their stories firsthand. That's what prompted the title of my blog; "Journaled Journeys".
      The places I go and the people I meet will all be documented right here in a very candid way that will give major insight into Veteran affairs. One question remains, though. How will I meet these people and find these stories? Let's find out.
      Throughout my couple of years doing internships and volunteer work, I have been given numerous tips of advice from many professionals in the business. I've always wondered how top-notch reporters find great stories that seem to be a big hit with the public and generate a lot of interest. I'm not speaking of your murders or homicides; those are bound to be covered because crime is always a hot topic. I'm speaking of those personal stories that really connect with the viewer and evoke some type of emotion. That's the golden pot at the end of the rainbow that I am always searching for and sometimes come up short.
       After reading a very insightful article titled "Covering Communities", it all came together and started to make sense. Reporters are essentially the voice of a community. For that voice to be effective, it takes action and initiative. The initiative to get out of your bubble and reach out to the surrounding area for stories and voices that normally would not be heard. The article talks about going to "third places" and getting out of your comfort zone to speak to people you normally would not. Easy enough right? As simple as it may seem, it can also be a daunting and nerve-raking task, but the benefits are worth it. Another topic discussed in the article is being a part of the virtual community. We all know our world is completely digitalized and to completely ignore the fact that it's right at our fingertips would be foolish. Making sure we check blogs and message boards is an essential to any reporter. A lot of community information is streamed through the internet and finding extraordinary individuals to feature in a story can be found right here.  
      As I dive into this class, I believe this is the bread and butter to being successful. There are so many issues Military Vets face such as financial, technological, political, and mental problems. Exploring and finding these stories will most likely not be accomplished by staying in our college campus bubble. So, my challenge to you is to find story or greater issue in your community that may not be getting a voice that needs it. Get up and get out! I most definitely will and feel free to come on this ride with me and as I journal my journeys each step of the way.