In this day of email, there is no reason it should take as long as it has to make contacts. I started this process in early December because most units have advance notice requirements. That is now shot for me because time is nearly up.

I also disagree that my presence makes their job harder. While there are several cases of journalists screwing their embeds, it is not the norm, by a long shot. If my presence makes their job harder, it’s because they’re worried about me seeing/hearing something they don’t want me to see/hear. That simple. Otherwise, 99% of the time, it has been business as usual on my embeds.

Remember though, you are a “journalist” which means you may be like the NYTimes or others that have firmly placed a dagger in the backs of those that protected them. It’s difficult to overcome that reality.

In the end, Troops have a job to do and that doesn’t always mesh well with the job you want to do. In fact, just you being there makes their job harder, no matter what you want to believe.