Editor's note: From "warm and fuzzy" stories in 2015 to more "election and inauguration" prep coverage in 2016, Pentagram Staff Writers Arthur Mondale and Delonte Harrod hit the streets and found out what stories touched and moved readers in 2015. Respondents also give a no-holds barred response to what coverage they expect in 2016. Each respondent was asked two questions: What was your most memorable story from last year? And What coverage would you like to see more of in 2016? Respondents' answers to these questions are labelled "2015" and "2016," respectively.
JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. - U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Shane Cooley, logistics officer with Headquarters and Service Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps Henderson Hall
2015: I think it was January or February, early 2015, Pentagram staff went to a retirement home and they spent one-on-one time talking to the veterans who were living in the home. The reason it really stands out in my mind, we still have the article posted in our office as kind of a "Hey let's encourage our service members to do this, to take their own time." I like the picture of a lance corporal pushing a service member in a wheel chair while laughing and talking to each other.
2016: The stories that stand out in my mind are the ones where service members are volunteering at homeless shelters or veterans homes. I like to see the contrast between the young Marine and Soldier giving of their free time to serve those who have already served our country. I like to read about those goodwill stories. There's so many opportunities around here to do things like that. We see a lot of articles about the Joint Chiefs of Staff changeover, big article, front page news, color photos. Everybody knows that's going on. I can open the Washington Post and find that out, but I can't open the Washington Post and find out that this is going on at the cemetery with the wreath laying or picking up the wreaths after the Christmas season's over, or the Grate Patrol going out and feeding the homeless. So those are the things that we all should and can take advantage of around here, but if we don't know about it and then we read about it in the Pentagram, it's an opportunity for us to capitalize on programs that are available in this area.
Jody McBride, MCCS athletic director, Department of the Navy
2015: "Wreaths Across America." The story talked about the donations for the wreathes, the hundreds of volunteers, the military units, kids and families just being able to do that within a certain period of time. Last year when it was raining, people were still out with their jackets on and one of the local softball teams, called "Unforgotten" from Joint Base Andrews, was there, letting people know they were gone, but you're not forgotten. For Memorial Day, there was a wreath laying at Arlington National Cemetery. The Pentagram did a whole story on all the work that was involved in laying the wreaths in Arlington Cemetery. The journalist wrote about the role volunteers played in achieving that goal, who donated the wreaths, the financial cost and just the whole process, not just what we see. We see wreaths on the headstone and say "that's pretty," but how do they get there?
2016: Deployed military family stories. The support that those left behind give each other. Reading about this would help people that want to help, and also shed light on that need. A lot of times people don't focus on the families when the service members are gone. All they know is, you're [the deployed service members] out there fighting, but the spouse could be struggling to make ends meet. My wife was a drill instructor, so I had three years with my daughters. My wife was working and her hours were from 0500 to 1900. My friends provided much needed support. I could call them and ask "can you pick up my daughters?" They would respond, "You got it." I needed that support, so she could complete her mission. Reading about this would help people who want to help and also shed light on that need.
U.S. Army Spc. Kimberly Williams, combat medic, healthcare specialist at Andrew Rader U.S. Army Health Clinic
2015: "The Halloween" edition, because it highlighted everyone from the Caisson to the clinic. That's the most memorable. The Pentagram had great pictures in that special Halloween edition. Also, I really like the part of the Pentagram that shows the combined photo illustrations and the "History Section." It shows what this day was like in such-and-such-year and a lot of times, it will have a two-sided photo; where one side is present day, and the other side is from back then. It's my most favorite part of the Pentagram. I like seeing and reading the history and captions. I pay attention to each newspaper, so that I can look for it in every single issue.
2016: This is a difficult question to answer. I hate to say this, but I don't think I really see enough Soldiers and Marines as the subjects of stories in the Pentagram. I see a lot of ceremonial things. Like, "Oh, Sergeant Major of the Army came to the post," or "General so-and-so came on post," the Secretary of Defense retired, blah-blah-blah, but I never really see segments highlighting particularly lower enlisted Soldiers and Marines in the infantry or The Old Guard-the Soldiers and Marines that kind of help this post to run. I think it would be interesting to have at least a small section dedicated to these men and women in the Pentagram.
Kerry Ross, parent outreach director, Child and Youth Services
2015: I liked "The Wounded Warriors" story. This article had a picture of the sergeant major and the commander shaking hands with Wounded Warriors and it was more than just a feel good story. It was a really good journalistic piece. But that story was just as good as the "Wreaths Across America" story, which is just as important for people to see. Just to see the amount of collaboration from people of all walks of life [1,000 groups from all 50 states], putting wreaths throughout Arlington National Cemetery is just beautiful. There's a huge camaraderie and collaboration for that event and it's amazing for others to see and be a part of.
2016: There's been so many exciting changes from same-sex marriage, which is now legal in all 50 states and weeks ago, the Department of Defense announced that women could now fight on the front lines. Those are huge headlines and these national news events are intrinsically tied to our military community, so why wasn't it in the Pentagram? This kind of inclusion shows a new military, the military of today. I think these would be great stories to feature in the Pentagram: same-sex military couples and women fulfilling combat roles. I feel a lot of people don't pick up the Pentagram because of the same "meet-and-greet or warm and fuzzy story." We need a little bit more of transparency that would cater to the older generation as well as the younger generation.
U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Daniel Rosas, administration specialist and company clerk, Headquarters and Service Battalion, HQMC, HH
2015: The physical fitness stories. Back in June there was a story that featured our company's PT session. Our NCO's were conducting a battalion PT session of short, fast-paced exercises and the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. I really enjoyed the story because some people don't like to get up that early, but fitness is a great thing for co-workers to do together and usually turns out to be better than you probably thought it would be before you started. It's just something a team of people can easily get organized to do together, get through together and it makes it great.
2016: I always like to read about policies that are changing, because that's a big part of our job. How each branch operates, and what we are allowed to do, and not do. For example, the Marine Corps has a tattoo policy that's still up for review and leaders are still working on changes, and the review of the height and weight portions of the physical fitness standards that are still being reviewed. For me at least, I work for the chain of command so I have to be informed about policies and changes to policy. In my company, I don't want to say I'm held to a higher standard, but things are enforced a little more, so I need to be more informed.
U.S. Army Spc. Christopher Herrera, Human Resource Specialist
2015: During the National Cherry Blossom Festival members of BOSS [Better Opportunity Single Soldiers] were out in Southwest D.C., on the Waterfront, raising money in order to do more activities, selling things like popcorn and cotton candy. It was a good feature which highlighted a group of service members not only trying to help their own organization, but also interacting and providing a service to countless attendees who were out and about enjoying the Cherry Blossom Festival.
2016: I'd like to see more service members give their time to a good cause. Be more open to check things out, don't be afraid and don't be shy. I also think there should be more interviews and individual features on the lower-enlisted readers. Inform readers about where a highlighted individual is from and how they contribute to the military. What's their part here at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall or the Pentagon? If the paper wants to get more attention, it has to show that it's not just focused on the events that are going on.
U. S. Marine Corps Capt. Douglas Martin, legal assistance officer-in-charge with Headquarters and Service Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps Henderson Hall
2015: The editorial report on the 240th Birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps. It's a big number and seeing it represented showed that the Marines are not just a small service that's lumped in with the Navy, but we play just as much of an important role to the Pentagon as the other branches of service, including the significance of our birthday.
2016: I would like to read about human interest profiles about leaders working at the Pentagon and about their unique career progression to the top. Both low ranking and high ranking service members could benefit from learning how these men and women got there, where they have been, and if they changed their MOS [Military Occupational Specialty] to get there. At least for me, it would open up ideas as for what I could do, while also informing others about what they need to do to move up. A lot of people don't understand how many service members work at the Pentagon, those sorts of things. But there are other stories to focus on within the Pentagon. For example, the Pentagon writes the UCMJ and regulations that apply to military personnel. That stuff is constantly updated and it would be interesting to know more about, because it applies to all of us. Notifying the public of legal changes and how they apply is useful.
U.S. Army 1st Lt. Mark Sauser, Military Police platoon leader
2015: I liked reading about Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dempsey's retirement. When he sang his departing song that really resonated with me. I just admire his long and distinguished career-and I thought the Pentagram did a good job representing his career and the retirement itself. I think Pentagram readers were able to understand that while we live in a large area, with many bureaucracies and agencies, the military remains a very close knit community and, at the same time, there's a lot of support to families and others who need it.
2016: I would like to read more about coverage leading up to the election, the inauguration preparation and the military's role in it. I would like to see what goes into those events and the execution of them and The U.S. Army Drill Team, Honor Guard, Continental Color Guard, Fife and Drum Corps, all units that are ceremonial-focused that will be involved. In regards to the election coverage itself, I think the Pentagram should focus on the Voting Assistance Program and what resources are available for service members who are away from their home election county. I would like to know: how they can still vote, the election process and answer pertinent questions going forward into the election season.
Lt. Frederick W. James, Jr., Police and Security watch commander
2015: I like reading about the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall police and security officer's in-service training that included unarmed self-defense tactics. I remember that story because it showed the community how we train to maintain readiness, stay current in all areas of force protection and how we keep the installation safe. I've been involved in security and law enforcement since 1976, so this kind of coverage is very near and dear to my heart.
2016: We have a two-fold team at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall (police officers and security officers) and there are a lot of police and security officers who do good things. It would be nice to see their faces in the Pentagram because we get a bad rap. We're seen as the "bad guys." We want to make a better impression in the military community, especially with the entry control system. We're human beings just like them. We have a job to do and they have a job to do. We just so happen to focus on security and law enforcement.
Anthony Hopper, assistant fire chief
2015: A joint emergency response exercise that featured our firefighters as well as firefighters from Arlington and Alexandra using a personnel escape system in bail-out training. It was really good and there were a lot of pictures. I think the military community likes to see that we benefit not only the Garrison but the overall company and our mutual aid partners. During an emergency we [JBM-HH fire and other agencies] have to cooperate together-we don't have time to worry about who's doing what is right-we must do it seamlessly.
2016: I'd like to see the News Notes section include more things that are coming up. I think the Pentagram should publish more local events that are open to the public before they happen, and less after. The "upcoming factor" is very important, people can plan to attend or plan to contribute early enough. A lot of the events I see in Pentagram are already in the past, I'd like to see what's coming up in the future. A lot of people would like to attend more [social] events, instead of having to just read about it and plan on attending next year.
Retired U.S. Army Col. Ralph Sievers, JBM-HH Retiree Counsel
2015: The interview and photo included in a Pentagram front page article in late September or early October. The subject was Frank Cohn and his childhood in pre-World War II Germany. It provided very interesting background of pre-World War II experiences of one of the retirees I know personally and occasionally see on the joint base.
2016: An occasional in-depth background [professional career, and post retirement volunteer activities] of one of the retirees we may see doing the activities we do at the base. It adds interest to the day to know more about those we routinely see during trips to the base.
Dorothy Williams, retired telecommunications specialist for the Pentagon
2015: Back in November you featured a story which focused on tobacco use in the military and how the base clinic wanted to reduce the number of tobacco users. The story shed light on the prevalence of tobacco use and the effects of second-hand and third-hand smoke. I liked the report because it was straight forward and suggested that smokers don't realize tobacco use is not only hazardous to the health of the user, but other people as well. I am against tobacco use of any kind so I like stories that remind people about the dangers of it.
2016: The recent coverage nationally and internationally of terrorism on American soil and abroad is really scary. And I believe people are constantly worried about when the next terrorist attack will happen, and who the terrorists will be. And then there are a lot more reports of homegrown terrorists, and neighbors didn't even know about them. But in my opinion people don't seem prepared. So I think the Pentagram should do stories on anti-terrorism measures that all people who work at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall and the Pentagon should do, to reverse what I think is complacency at work, in their neighborhoods or out in public. Stories that would make people more proactive instead of reactive.
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