Job: Combat Documentation/Production Specialist (25V)

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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:

* Operate and perform unit level maintenance on motion, still and studio television cameras
* Operate electronic and film based processing, editing, audio and printing darkroom equipment
* Prepare captions for documentation images
* Operate and perform maintenance on assigned vehicles and power generators

Job training for a Combat Documentation/Production Specialist requires nine weeks of Basic Training, where you'll learn basic Soldiering skills, and 26 weeks 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

Helpful attributes include:

* An interest in creative and artistic work
* A preference for working as part of a team
* An interest in photography, graphics, art, speech and drama
* Experience in school plays or making home movies

Advanced level Combat Documentation/Production Specialists provides guidance, supervises and train Soldiers within the same discipline. As an advanced level Combat Documentation/Production Specialist, you may be involved in:

* Supervise and provide technical guidance to subordinate documentation/production team members
* Monitor, operate and perform unit level maintenance on master control system
* Align and adjust video cameras
* Prepare video reports for review by commanders and planning staff
* Operate and perform maintenance on still video transmission systems

The skills you learn as a Combat Documentation/Production Specialist will help prepare you for a future with civilian film production companies, government audiovisual studios, radio and television stations and advertising agencies. You'll be qualified to pursue a career as a motion picture camera operator, audiovisual production specialist, sound mixer, recording engineer, or broadcasting and recording technician.

* Visual Information Equipment Operator-Maintainer (25R)

Learn more about the relationship between military training and civilian certification requirements.