Job Title: Combat Documentation/Production Specialist

While the Army may not produce movies that involve Hollywood movie stars or speeding car chases, television and film productions are still an important part of Army communications. Films are used to train personnel and to record military operations, ceremonies and news events. Audiovisual and broadcast technicians, such as the Combat Documentation/Production Specialist, perform many specialized tasks, ranging from filming to script editing to operating audio recording devices.

Combat Documentation/Production Specialists are primarily responsible for supervising, planning and operating electronic and film-based still, video and audio acquisition equipment in order to document combat and non-combat operations. Some of your duties as a Combat Documentation/Production Specialist may include:

• Operating broadcast, collection, television production and distribution equipment


• Creating visual information products in support of combat documentation, psychological operations, military intelligence, medical, public affairs, training and other functions


• Performing maintenance on motion, still and studio television cameras as well as darkroom equipment


• Preparing captions for documentation images


• Working with writers, producers and directors in preparing and interpreting scripts


• Planning and designing production scenery, graphics and special effects


• Operating media equipment and special effect devices, including cameras, sound recorders and lighting


• Following script and instructions of film or TV directors to move cameras, zoom, pan or adjust focus

Job training for a Combat Documentation/Production Specialist consists of nine weeks of Basic Training, where you'll learn basic Soldiering skills, and 27 weeks, five days of Advanced Individual Training and on-the-job instruction. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in the field. Some of the skills you learn are:

• Motion picture equipment operation


• Audio recording


• Scripting and special effects techniques


• Maintenance of public address sound equipment

Advanced level Combat Documentation/Production Specialists supervise and train other Soldiers. As an advanced level Combat Documentation/Production Specialist, you may be involved in:

• Supervising and providing technical guidance to other documentation


• Monitoring, operating and performing unit level maintenance on master


• Aligning and adjusting video cameras


• Preparing video reports for review by commanders and planning staff


• Operating and performing maintenance on still video transmission systems