Navy Shutting Down Combat Camera Groups: As an ex Navy Combat Photographer (CombatCamGruLant) out of Norfolk Naval Air Station in the 60s, I am saddened to see the demise of these...

mrjcall Loc: Woodfin, NC

As an ex Navy Combat Photographer (CombatCamGruLant) out of Norfolk Naval Air Station in the 60s, I am saddened to see the demise of these elite photography groups in the Navy….. I suppose this kind of move is symptomatic of cutbacks in the military in general even though our current administration is pushing to increase funding. 😰 Most of our photographic history of wars was recorded by these guys..... There's a link to the article in 'Links and Resources' forum.

PhotoPhred Loc: Cheyney, Pa

That is a shame, I remember watching "Victory at Sea" with my dad when I was a little kid. Great stuff. He was a WWII vet mostly in the North Atlantic and the Med.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I agree. That is a shame. Considering that less equipment is necessary now than back in the film days. It should be a lot less costly.
--Bob

mrjcall wrote:

As an ex Navy Combat Photographer (CombatCamGruLant) out of Norfolk Naval Air Station in the 60s, I am saddened to see the demise of these elite photography groups in the Navy….. I suppose this kind of move is symptomatic of cutbacks in the military in general even though our current administration is pushing to increase funding. 😰 Most of our photographic history of wars was recorded by these guys..... There's a link to the article in 'Links and Resources' forum.

CPR Loc: Nature Coast of Florida

Sad day, for sure.
My dad was on IWO and in Japan as a Marine Photographer and the stories he could tell, if you could get him to!!
Most important item in his camera bag??? A Bottle of ketchup to hide the flavor of the instant food........................

Bill_de Loc: US

rmalarz wrote:

I agree. That is a shame. Considering that less equipment is necessary now than back in the film days. It should be a lot less costly.
--Bob

I wonder how the combat troops feel. In Nam we had a photographer with us on two occasions. I was infantry and we were in the jungle. The first one wasn't bad, except he couldn't do anything quietly. The second one kept crying about how tough it was, could we slow down, etc.

Had we seen any action while they were with us, I'm not sure either would have made it back. They put our lives in danger.

--

PhotoPhred Loc: Cheyney, Pa

The government will spend money to keep all those Chevy Suburbans idling all the time so our legislators don't get into a cold or hot car depending on the season. They don't pay for the gasoline either. I wonder what that is costing us, bring back the photographers, turn the SUV's off.

mrjcall Loc: Woodfin, NC

Bill_de wrote:

I wonder how the combat troops feel. In Nam we had a photographer with us on two occasions. I was infantry and we were in the jungle. The first one wasn't bad, except he couldn't do anything quietly. The second one kept crying about how tough it was, could we slow down, etc.

Had we seen any action while they were with us, I'm not sure either would have made it back. They put our lives in danger.

--

Bad seed in every bushel as they say, but I question whether he was actually trained as a combat photographer or that would not have happened. Not in my outfit for sure as we went through the same training, including counter-insurgency school, as the ground troops.

al13

mrjcall wrote:

As an ex Navy Combat Photographer (CombatCamGruLant) out of Norfolk Naval Air Station in the 60s, I am saddened to see the demise of these elite photography groups in the Navy….. I suppose this kind of move is symptomatic of cutbacks in the military in general even though our current administration is pushing to increase funding. 😰 Most of our photographic history of wars was recorded by these guys..... There's a link to the article in 'Links and Resources' forum.

I was stationed at NAS Norfolk in 1960 assigned to Marine Corps Air Wing, VMA-233.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

It is just change, normal.

There are other more influential changes that take place that are directly detrimental to the service members.

When it comes to photography the world has changed, anyone can take an image and share it instantly, even the fighting troops. This was not feasible before. Everyone has the capability to shoot the next iconic image of a war.

Also with the 'embedded' photo journalists there is less need. These are increasing the risks for service members despite claims of being otherwise. At least they want to be there.

As to what was produced before and touted here... Many of the reports were propaganda in support of the war(s). Massacres, losses and abuses were never disclosed. Too much trust was given to the DOD. This is not saying there is no bias in the current reporting system but now it goes both ways instead of going a single way.

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

Reports said the workload has been diminishing and funding was cut last year by 60%.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

I received this PM:

Rongo: As a proud ex-member of the Navy and one who represented the military's photographic needs well, I'm offended that you would bring politics into this subject matter and would like an apology!
xxx
CCC@gmail.com
###-###-###

If presenting what the photographers did in a crude unflinching light is an offense for some, well, sorry if you take it this way.

This is not an apology and there is no political comment but a social one.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Second PM..

Rongo: I took this conversation off open post because it was private and not for public consumption. The fact that you took a PM and published it just astounds me! You ever stop and think how your actions/comments affect others? Being harsh is one thing, being brutal is another. I asked for an apology in private and now, more than ever, believe I am still due one.
xxx

Once again, you are owe nothing.

Bill_de Loc: US

mrjcall wrote:

Bad seed in every bushel as they say, but I question whether he was actually trained as a combat photographer or that would not have happened. Not in my outfit for sure as we went through the same training, including counter-insurgency school, as the ground troops.

I'm glad to hear that.

They had uniforms, but none of our uniforms had any rank insignia. Nobody tried to get to know them. They only carried 45s and no explosives, so they were useless to us.

--

pendennis

From what I was able to glean from some other sources, this move only does away with the Combat Camera Groups. The basic rating of Mass Communications Specialist did not go away. They're still assigned to units, recording the activity whether combat or peace time. The Mass Communications Specialist is a consolidation of Photographer's Mate, Journalist, and several others.

The consolidation/elimination of rates has been going on for years, and it's more reflective of changes in mission and professional designation, than doing away with recording still and video of the Navy's mission. My rating (Disbursing Clerk) disappeared into personnel, rather than supply. Commissarymen are now part of Logistics Specialist, the same with the Storekeeper rate.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Rongnongno wrote:

I received this PM:

Rongo: As a proud ex-member of the Navy and one who represented the military's photographic needs well, I'm offended that you would bring politics into this subject matter and would like an apology!
xxx
CCC@gmail.com
###-###-###

If presenting what the photographers did in a crude unflinching light is an offense for some, well, sorry if you take it this way.

This is not an apology and there is no political comment but a social one.

PM's should remain Private.
That is the intent that should be respected--no matter the content.