MEDDAC Soldiers model for Army recruiting marketing materials

Several Soldiers assigned to the U.S. Army Medical Department Activity Fort Campbell recently got to experience what it's like to be a model when they participated in a photo shoot on Fort Campbell for U.S. Army Recruiting Command.

A team from Fort Knox-based USAREC traveled to Fort Campbell to get video and images of Soldiers in specific career fields working in their military occupational specialty for possible use in recruiting products nationwide.

The recruiting team needed to update older marketing products featuring Soldiers dressed in the MultiCam Army Combat Uniform, which has been discontinued and is being phased out for wear. Anytime the Army has a major uniform change the marketing team has to update its photo and video inventory to reflect the change.

"We like coming to Fort Campbell because it is the nearest FORSCOM (U.S. Army Forces Command) installation where you have practically every MOS in the Army and it's only two and a half hours away from Fort Knox so we do try and come down here to get what we need," said Sgt. 1st Class Johnathan Cole, a USAREC audio/visual production specialist. Cole is responsible for coordinating with command and installation public affairs staff to set-up the trips, identify Soldier-models and arrange locations. During the trip, Cole manages a team of civilian photographers and videographers who capture the imagery. Along with their equipment, the team brings extra uniforms and accessories for the models to ensure they have everything they need.

"As an NCO, I also check out the uniforms of the Soldiers and make sure they are in regulation because if something is out of regulation we can't use the photo," said Cole, who arranges a photo shoot about once each quarter. The team tries to maximize its effort, combing several needed MOS per shoot.

"We are currently about 18 videos in of more than 150 that need to be replaced for the new uniform change. It will be about a five-year project to replace all MOS videos and still photography we which replaces all the posters and marketing materials you see on walls, online and marketing products," said Cole.

During this trip the team gathered imagery of Medical Laboratory Specialists, Veterinary Food Inspection Specialists, and Preventive Medicine Specialists. In the hospital lab, the art director selected a location and then the team went to work setting up lights and a monitor, safeguarding patient information and personally identifiable information, and ensured the models met regulations. For model PFC Breanna Brogan, a Medical Laboratory Specialist assigned to Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, the morning consisted of repeating a daily task normally completed in minutes for more than an hour.

"I've never had such an opportunity before but it was a fun experience," said Brogran as she took direction from the photographer on how to hold her head and shoulders, where to focus her eyes, moving her position and repeating the same motion a number of times so the photographer could get the needed shot. The team worked to capture a variety of images that will give them plenty to choose from for the different needs of their products.

"For marketing purposes, (the photos and video taken at Fort Campbell) it could be on the cover of a recruiting poster. It could be on a marketing fact sheet, which could be print or digital and features the rundown of duties and responsibilities of an MOS. It could be on a banner or poster that recruiters take to schools and events. It could be on a national billboard," said Cole.

The imagery will be added to the USAREC photo and video inventory for future use.

"I was excited from the moment I was told I would be in the shoot," said Brogan, "I had a lot of fun and really enjoyed working with the group. I am also glad to know future Soldiers will get to learn about my MOS."