MATT: Well, right now, the term "milblog" has a very wide description. Basically, anyone connected to the military – active, reservists and guardsmen, veterans, retirees, spouses and supporters. That's probably too wide. When you have a blog like mine (I'm a vet) that wins awards as a milblog, I wonder about the efficacy of the award because I will no longer be put in harm's way.
There ought to be a tighter definition for those bloggers posting from a combat zone. They deserve more focus – of course, many of them would prefer not to have the spotlight shone on their blogs because of the latest Operation Security (OPSEC) guidelines.
JP: How much longer do you think the MSM will be around?
MATT: Forever. Much like the world's oldest profession.
JP: There are "personal-blogs," "tech-blogs," even "pet-blogs". Are you surprised by the popularity of milblogs?
MATT: I still don't think that they're that popular, yet. I'm surprised that Blackfive is where it is. It was never meant to be what it is.
JP: What is going on in the milblogging world right now?
MATT: Well, the OPSEC guidelines have restricted a lot of the blogging from Iraq and Afghanistan. It's needed, but it's also unfortunate because there were some really great stories coming out of those men and women. Some just shut down to avoid hassles – even if their commanders approved their content.
JP: How has your life changed by milblogging? Talk shows? Radio? Your own action flick? Bling? Can you tell us a little bit about your forthcoming anthology on Milbloggers?
MATT: It has affected my life quite a bit. Luckily, my wife supports me keeping Blackfive running.
I've been on MSNBC's Connected thanks to Buzz Patterson – who, by the way, is a huge supporter of us all. That was just surreal. Done lots of radio. Much easier and I enjoy it more. Got a face for radio.
The media attention brought lots of (book publishing) agents my way. They all sucked. Then, this one agent wrote an email about what MilBlogs were all about. He got it, understood why you all are so damned important. So I actually called him and we discussed the possibilities. Voila! Book deal. My/our agent rocks.
The MilBlog book is going to be published by Simon & Schuster. Our editor is one of the best in the entire publishing business. We got very lucky.
Article comments
1 - SFC SKI
Good interview. I read Blackfive's blog a few times a week, but I did not know that much about him.