M.R.E. Journalism Winners Tell National Guard Stories

In the Military Reporters and Editors' (M.R.E.) 2013 journalism contest, retired Nevada Army National Guard soldier and mil-blogger Steven Ranson has been recognized for his coverage of citizen-soldiers deployed to Afghanistan. Ranson's work was often featured in the Lahontan Valley News of Fallon, Nev., where he is also general manager and editor.

"[Ranson's] prolific coverage of Nevada Guardsmen and women serving in Afghanistan succeeded in what he said was his goal: To 'put a face to the name' while embedding with the units, even paying his own way to the war zone," judges wrote.

Closer to 34th Infantry "Red Bull" Division (34th Inf. Div.) territory, Minneapolis (Minn.) Star-Tribune reporters Mark Brunswick and McKenna Ewen were recognized runner-up in the 2013 contest's On-Line category. The distinction recognized the team's video coverage of a Wisconsin National Guard soldier's struggles with mental illness and the Department of Veterans Affairs hospital system.

"This well-reported, nicely written news feature and accompanying moving video will leave you infuriated and perplexed about how help was sought — but didn’t come [...]" judges wrote.

"[Iraq War veteran] Blake Uddin was sent home, apparently because it wasn’t felt he was suicidal, and told to return in a week. Days later, he tried hijacking a car and succeeded with another, then wound up pulling over and running in traffic on a busy highway, listening, he said, to the voices in his head.“ He was eventually hit, taken the hospital and arrested. (A judge three months later ruled that Uddin was not responsible for his actions that day because of his mental illness).

For a full list and citations of 2013 contest winners, click here.

Awards will be presented at the organization's annual 2-day conference in Washington, D.C. Also on the conference agenda are panels on:

• "Defense Compensation Reform and the Quadrennial Defense Review
• Authors discuss successful book publication
• "The Asia-Pacific Pivot — strategy and force requirements"
• An off-the-record roundtable with military Public Affairs Officers (P.A.O.)
• "Twice betrayed: Military sexual assault"
• "Women in combat – An update from the services"

For more information on the conference agenda, click here.

Calling it a "Furlough Special," the MRE board of directors recently announced reduced the price of the 2013 conference to $50 for both members and non-members. Click here for registration information.

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UPDATE: On Fri., Oct. 11, the MRE organization announced the 2013 conference would be cancelled due to the effects of the continued governmental shutdown on Department of Defense presenters.