Military Bloggers

Military blogs: 'Milbloggers' are typing their place in history Mark Memmott, USA TODAY, Posted 5/11/2005 8:59 PM, Updated 5/12/2005 10:23 AM

Contributing: Gabriel Campanario of USA TODAY; Joseph R. Chenelly of Army Times, an independent newspaper owned by Gannett

Imagine some of the soldiers who survived the Battle of Gettysburg stopping the next day to write their dramatic tales — and people around the world instantly reading them. If that battle had been fought today, no imagination would be necessary.

The number of Internet Web logs — or "blogs," as online diaries are known — by American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan is soaring, giving people everywhere unprecedented windows into servicemembers' lives.

[. . . . ] The growth means a historic phenomenon is gaining momentum: Anyone with access to the Internet can read many first-hand accounts of life in a war zone within seconds after they're finished.

And the blogs are "full of real substance and depth," says Jon Peede, director of the National Endowment for the Arts' Operation Homecoming program, which helps troops and their families write about their wartime experiences. "They're raw, powerful reflections on the war."

They also could be among a troop's last words. At least one "soldier blogger," Army Spc. Francisco G. Martinez, has been killed in action.

[. . . . ] Another site, www.iraqfiles.com, links to about 50 milblogs. [. . . . ]