CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea - Rarely in the spotlight, but always shining it on others, are the not-so-quiet professionals of Korea's Armed Forces Network (AFN). Their voices can be heard everywhere, including the local AFN radio shows, on public service announcements (PSA) and news stories on AFN television.
The journalistic excellence of two broadcasters from AFN Humphreys and one from AFN Daegu have surpassed the objective of effectively telling the Army's story in Korea and around the world.
Their hard work was validated during 2017 Maj. Gen. Keith L. Ware (KLW) Communication Awards Competition, formally known as the Keith L. Ware Awards -- an annual awards recognition of the finest Department of the Army Soldiers and civilians for distinction in achieving the mission of the Army Public Affairs Program through broadcast, community engagement, graphic arts, photography, media, and print.
Among those recognized during the KLW were Staff Sgt. Joshua Tucker, AFN Humphreys radio manager, who won first place in the Broadcast Audio Report category for his radio news story, Professional Bowlers.
"Winning at this level means a lot to me. It reinforces the skills I've been practicing and developing since I became a broadcaster," said Tucker. "Being a broadcaster for the Army is the best job I've ever had. I get to go to so many places and meet so many people. Then, I get to tell those stories and be creative in how I tell them."
Thinking outside the box, Tucker, an Effingham, Illinois native and former multiple launch rocket system crewmember, used his platform to support not only a U.S. Army priority, but also a Department of Defense concept of promoting resiliency within our ranks.
"This story was different than everything else I was seeing and hearing. I really thought that it was something different and interesting. I thought I did a good job on it, so I thought I would submit it," Tucker explained.
He highlighted the experience of Parker Bohn III and Sean Rash, members of the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA), during their visit to Osan Air Base as part of the Airforce's Recharge for Resiliency program. Tucker's winning news story showed how these two PBA members expressed their appreciation to the men and women of the Air Force by sharing tips and helping bowlers improve their game with simple techniques.
"We are just so privileged to be able to play a game for a living and it's an opportunity to give back to the ones who risk their lives and do everything for us to have the freedom we have back home," said Bohn in the original news story.
Additionally, Sgt. Joni Jackson, AFN Daegu, received an honorable mention in the Audio Entertainment Program category for the Daegu Morning Radio Show and Sgt. Elizabeth Harris, AFN Humphreys, received an honorable mention in the Audio Spot category for her PSA Drinking in Korea.
These wins have added fuel to the AFN Korea team's mission to find more effective ways to get information to the service members on the peninsula through the best platforms.
"Right now I think we are not making much of a difference in getting the information out to most of the service members here in Korea," Tucker said. "The reason is that the majority of them don't have cars and that is where people generally listen to the radio. We are working on adapting to social media more and more each day and that is how we can effectively communicate to service members here in Korea."
To view Tucker's winning news story, as well as other content, visit the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service website at https://www.dvidshub.net/video/557399/cat-3-hmp-professional-bowlers-ssg-tucker.
Social Sharing