Battlefield Tourist

I have to say, I'm blown away with the 25th Infantry Division. When they took over a month ago, they rode in on a parade that proclaimed that "things will change". I'm happy to say that in their first attempt at working with me, they have set all records for inconvenience.
So I sit here in Kabul as the Turks change out: Today Kamaal and Ardall are heading back to Istanbul. They have been replaced by two new guys whose names I've yet to grasp. At least Kamaal spoke some English, not these two.
I'm not in the mood to write much because I just wrote a book to the Army (which is published below). I'm trying to get something changed, although I doubt that will happen. I at least need to explain my position so my head doesn't explode.

A former boss once told me, "never point out a problem without a solution". With that said, I feel a follow up is in order.
I realize there may not be much support for the idea of unescorted media, but let me try to make a case.

Case history
Currently there are journalists who have earned the chance to be unescorted. In fact, I have been unescorted in two of my four "opportunities". I know of at least one other who travels unescorted as well as a third that left Afghanistan earlier this year after a prolonged stay at Salerno.

Levels of journalism is Afghanistan
I believe that there are different levels of journalists, so there needs to be exceptions. Currently you're dealing with most of these "levels" of journalist, including "The Celebrity Journalist".

The Celebrity Journalist (and/or the producer) are always more demanding. They want to be in certain places at certain times and expect to be live wherever they want. It's a logistical nightmare and everyone is generally happy when it's over.
Point: To accommodate this level of journalist, you are obliged to bend the rules and at times, break them all together. Afterall, you have to try your best to accommodate the Dan Rathers, Tom Browkaws and Geraldos. Usually these are services not offered to all journalists (i.e. - confernce calls, special helicopters, full itinerary).

Print Journalists - For the most part, print journalists can be accommodated about anywhere. Their pieces often do not rely on great pictures, but rely on words and experiences, which makes the PAO's job much easier when placing print. Of course, if they have a particular place they want to go, they should be obliged within current standards.
On the flip side, print journalists can talk their way in to comfy stories (like with special forces and other chances) most in the TV world would not get. I have seen this rule bent MANY times.
Point: Most of these fabulous cover stories in TIME, Newsweek, US News, etc.. would never in a day be offered, or accepted, if requested by television journalists. Rules being bent.

Non Western Journalists - These folks generally aren't interested in embeds, but when they are, they would probably require an escort simply based on language and custom differences.
Point: Little or nothing is bent or broken when dealing with this group. Set standard rules would apply.

Resident Western Journalists - These are the journos who live and breathe here because you do. They include IHA, APTN, Reuters, AFP, and AP ( there may be a few others). These are the companies that spend tens of thousands of dollars a year to staff this place with journalists dedicated to covering this war on a full time basis.
Point: This group of journalists needs to be recognized differently than other journalists.

Western Journalists - These are the journalists who do not have a permanent presence in Afghanistan and swing through on occasion or come when an important event is forthcoming or happening. These include BBC, NBC, ABC, CNN, Fox, etc... Other than these network's "Celebrity Journalists", these networks should get treatment as falls under your current guidelines.
Point: These networks should pay their dues and get their fair share of PRT and non-border assignments. These networks should not be awarded the most desirable destinations just because they decide to show up. In effect you are rewarding networks for NOT putting full resources into the country and penalizing networks who work here daily.

Explanation:
Obviously one can look at this and say that it is self serving. That is something that I will admit, to an extent. However, I find myself in a very unique situation that has far different needs than most, if not all, journalists here in Afghanistan. That's why I am raising the issue.
I feel there needs to be a way to elevate certain journalists in this theater that allows them to properly report on newsworthy events. Since my case is the most familiar, that is the one I will use.
In my case (which may be unique), my sole purpose is to cover coalition forces in the field. That means I need to be in and out of the field on a regular basis in order to get my video and stories filed. This is a unique situation because as far as I know, I am the only journalist that makes covering coalition forces in Afghanistan his sole and full time obligation.
This means I will be requesting to go to various FOBs at various times, depending on the current swing of the events. What makes my job even more important is that I represent dozens of companies who are relying on me to provide their video of this conflict. Those clients include CBS and ABC when they don't have a crew in country. More importantly, they include clients across the Middle East and Central Asia. People the coalition should be especially interested in getting news out to.
To prove my case, I have filed 25, individual, full length TV productions in my first two months in Afghanistan. This does not include multiple versions of the same story. Ask around and you will find that is some serious output.

Ideas: Identify the journalists who are constantly looking for ways to cover the military in the field. After three embeds and positive recommendations from field commanders, elevate this journalist to a level that allows him/her to travel to FOBs as space is available. This is asking no more than what is offered the thousands of KBR employees who currently use the system and fly unescorted. This system is so simple, all the Bagram PAO office needs to do is escort the journalist to the flight line. All the FOB needs to do is pick that person up when they come in.

Last thoughts - If you are overburdened now, you are in for a major wake up in the coming months. Instead of having a dozen people wanting to go to Salerno, you will have 50. That is why some forethought and change may be in order.
As for me, I travel alone and have very little equipment in order to make this an appealing idea. I also travel in this fashion in order to more quickly return to the field once in Kabul. I am going completely out of my way to make my situation as compatible as possible with yours and I need some help back. Example: I purposely DO NOT use a cameraman in order to make it easier for you to place me. IHA doesn't have 2-3 man crews, we don't have 6 crates of gear, we don't leave our tents in a mess when we leave. All IHA is, is a former U.S. Marine trying to get some coverage out about a forgotten war. I would hate to note in my journals that the number one obstacle in being able to properly cover this world effort is the U.. Army.
Regardless if all of the above is way out of bounds, try to find some solution that does not penalize journalists, like myself, that continually cover this story. To hear from Salerno that I was passed over my place in line because "I've already been there" is crazy. To knock me off the list and make room for others who rarely show interest in going to the field in the first place makes no sense. What's happening is you are rewarding networks who "rush to the scene" because "they haven't been out there yet." At the same time penalizing me because I cover the military full time. It's easy to run to a story, it's more difficult to cover it and try to find it. Regardless, whether I've been to Salerno 50 times or not at all, it should bear no weight on where my name falls on this "list".

Hope you're still awake.

Thanks,
Dave Tate
Ihlas News Agency

PS - Officer references available.