On Assignment: Air Force ROTC Commissioning

It is the end of the fall semester and thus, college graduation for some seniors. However, for a select few, graduation from college also means the end of their service as part of the Reserve Officer Training Corps. [ROTC] - and the beginning of their lives as commissioned officers in the military.


Air Force Second Lieutenant Kyle Wilmut speaks after receiving his commission underneath the portrait of Army General Crowder, in Crowder Hall on the University of Missouri campus Friday afternoon, Dec. 18, 2009.

While there was just a single Air Force officer commissioning taking place, this was an interesting experience for me as my brother was just offered an Navy ROTC scholarship. This gave me the opportunity to ask other ROTC students and instructors about the ROTC programs and the experiences they have had.


Without any rank insignia on his jacket, Air Force ROTC cadet Kyle Wilmut smiles before he is commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Force, receiving his gold bars.


Air Force Colonel David Wilmut and wife Karka Wilmut, pin gold bars on the shoulders of their son, Second Lieutenant Kyle Wilmut after he received his commission in the Air Force.


Air Force Colonel David Wilmut assists his son, Second Lieutenant Kyle Wilmut put on his jacket after receiving his commission in the Air Force. Col. Wilmut, who has served over 28 years in the Air Force had the honor of reading his son his oath for his commissioning.


Air Force Colonel David Wilmut shares a moment with his son Kyle Wilmut before Wimut is commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Force. Col. Wilmut was also a member of the Air Force ROTC and had the honor of reading his son his oath for his commissioning.

Columbia College Graduation tomorrow! More to come.

Our Community: Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar 2009

The photojournalism community is a unique and wonderful thing.

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Daddy D'z BBQ Joynt! Great ribs, not a fan of their cornbread though.

Thanks to the internet, there a lots of powerful sites like SportsShooter.com, APAD, and Lightstalkers. These sites provide message boards to learn, interact, and discuss - but nothing compares to the chance to make new friends and build relationships in person. We learn not only from interesting speakers and late night portfolio critiques, but from the people around us. Other students and journalists gather with open minds and a willingness to learn and share. The top names in our industry give up their own time to help the up and coming, college kids with aspirations and dreams.


Mr. CPOY 2009, but Ryan's attitude is so down to earth, you wouldn't know it without looking at his portfolio!

While I go to a big PhotoJ school like Mizzou, where I've made great friends and connections, I feel that the personal relationships I have made while attending workshops and seminars like Atlanta PJ, MPW and The Mountain Workshops have been a tremendous part of my photojournalism education. I've learned more in a few days than an entire semester, meeting great people from across the country along the way.


ZUMA Press founder Scott Mc Kiernan talks about the biz of photojournalism with ZUMA's Tessa Ferrario and freelance journalist Stephen Alvarez

In an industry as small and as difficult as ours, the people you know and trust are the ones you will turn to first, who you will ask for help and advice - and who you will try to help when the tables are turned.

I love being a photojournalist. Spending my time with friends who feel the same way as I do about storytelling and pictures is second only to making great photos [and sometimes the two even collide!].


Driving back from Atlanta to Columbia, Missouri - I've never had a 10 hour drive pass by so quickly. There is more to life than we realize sometimes, it never hurts to just admire the beauty in the world around us and appreciate what we have.

Our Community: Memories from Southern Short Course

So instead of going crazy in Panama City or Cancun for Spring Break, I decided to go to the Southern Short Course in News Photography.

Off to North Carolina it was.


[Thanks for the tour of Kansas City Rob!]

It was excellent.

Terrific Speakers, great critiques, and good times with other students from UNC-Chapel Hill, UF, and other schools in the south.

Wanting to have a little fun, I also brought along my fisheye and a 5D... check it out!

And of course, Strobist's David Hobby making the now infamous April Fool's Joke picture.


And the pictures =]