They gave me two months to prepare.
When I signed up for a tour de journalism in Iraq, I thought my name would be put on a lengthy list of wanna-be war correspondents that gets filed away and referenced when qualified reporters started to run dry. Instead, they told me to sign up for training ASAP because I was going to Baghdad in August. That was late May. Now I've got six weeks left.
If you asked me earlier this year how someone becomes a war correspondent for a newspaper chain that includes some of the country's largest newspapers, I would tell you that you'd probably have to sign up for a job as a reporter working for an English-language newspaper working in a remote part of the world. Then maybe do some free-lancing for an American paper and hopefully work your way into a lower-rung reporting job at a second-tier bureau. From there, hope for the best.
But apparently that's not the way it works.
No, instead, they take anyone willing and able. Especially after McClatchy Newspapers sold off the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, where a bunch of reporters were going through Journalism in Baghdad Bootcamp. McClatchy, which owns the Fresno Bee, was suddenly left with a shortage of legit war journalists. So here I am with an opportunity I never saw coming. Unlike the bullets, hopefully.
To say I feel underqualified is an understatement. More like unqualified. But people keep on reassuring me that "I'll do great." As in, I won't end up on a grainy Al-Jazeera video? Other people tell me "Congratulations" when they hear I'm heading to Iraq. I'm storing up all those kudos in a little mental box and plan to unleash them in full force the moment I touch down in Europe on the return flight. That's when congratulations will hopefully be in order.
So with all that off my chest, I'm sincerely thankful for the encouragement, and I know people only mean the best. After all, what do you say to someone who out of his own free will signed up for six weeks in the heart of Baghdad? "Just keep your head down"? Actually, a lot of people have said that, too. That and "What do your parents think?" ... My answer: They think they regret dropping me as a child.
So wish me luck. Pray for me. Let me know what you think of my first blog ever. In the meantime, I'm hashing my way through 602 pages of Cobra II, a fascinating and in-depth inside story on the build-up to the war and its execution. I'm on page 131.
Tomorrow I head to Woodstock, VA for five days of training. Not sure what to expect. Apparently they train you for what to do if you become a hostage. I'll have Internet access at the hotel I'll be staying at and will be posting regularly. If I mysteriously stop posting, that means one of two things: 1) I got lazy, or 2) the terrorists have won.
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9 comments:
My God, Chris! How exciting, but how dangerous, too. I hope you stay safe while getting alot of stories. I bet your parents are having a lot of sleepless nights!
Again, stay safe. I look forward to reading your blog.
Chris. I'm so jealous. Have a great time. One word of advice, find a translator you can trust and don't be afraid to go off the beaten path (safety first of course). Are you going to be in the green zone or somewhere outside of Baghdad? I read a book by a Iraq correspondent Jackie Spinner last summer. Maybe you should e-mail her before you go. She went over there in your exact same situation. She just volunteered and had no experience. I'm sure you can find her contact info on the web. Whatever happens I'm excited for you. The blog is a great idea. Try to keep the posts on the short side and frequent. That is my advice on blogging. Take care. -Jessica
Chris,
Thanks for setting up this blog. We pray for your safety and for a good experience.
One of my students a few years ago was a retired Army colonel, and his sonwas a Marine, in a unit going into Fallujah. My student told his son there are 3 things you have to keep in mind if you want to come home OK: (1) Keep your butt down; (2) Keep your weapon clean; and (3) Do whatever your commander tells you, right away. I would guess that with the necessary changes, you can apply them yourself.
All the best,
Unlce Jack
Covenant Seminary, St Louis
Hello Chris,
Baghdad, WOW!!!!!
I just watched Syriana last night on DVD, and wonder if the flavor of the Mideast it imparts will be anything like what you experience. Guess you are in my neighborhood today...if you want a free Sunday breakfast, call (540-428-1747). Not sure where Woodstock is, tho. I can see why they sent you just by reading your writing...it is fantastic. (altho it's congraTulations..). Wish you were our reporter instead of McClatchey's. I'll keep you in my daily prayers as that city does not sound all that safe and please practice good common sense. (Sound like a mom warning?) Take care. I'll keep your blog bookmarked. kzklink@netzero.com
Chris what an amazing opportunity! You are so lucky! I'm sure you'll be safe. I believe it's best not to think about trouble until it's obviously thinking about you. James and I will make a point of praying for you!
Jamile
Thanks guys, I appreciate the words of advice. I sure I hope I don't end up like George Clooney. But then again I don't plan to be dealing with the CIA underworld.
To answer your question Jessica, I'll be in a hotel with a bunch of other media outlets about half a mile outside the green zone. I'll have to check out that book, sounds interesting.
Karen and Uncle Jack, thanks for the advice. That's pretty much what my Mom said, too.
i know it's hard to shoot the moon, but if you just keep your head down it will be a big pain in the ass...
I didn't drop you too hard, did I? Sorry about teaching you how to spell "congratulations". I always had a hard time with that one too. Not phonetic. We haven't hit the sleepless nights, but we sure do pray a lot for you.
Mom
PS Hi,Karen!
Chris, you are the man! Glad to see I influenced you or something...
Keep blogging, man. I´ll try to keep up from Tanzania. I´d write more, but I don´t know my way around this keyboard in Barcelona. I´ll be praying for you, though. Stay safe.
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