More than 8,000 wounded Marines have returned from battlefields
in Iraq and Afghanistan. They now face daunting challenges in their
recovery from battle wounds; some have been in military hospitals
for more than two years. Having entered the Marine Corps with patriotism
and a desire to improve themselves, many young Wounded Warriors
lack professional skills and have no alternative career to turn
to upon leaving the hospital.
The Wounded Marine Training Center
for Careers in Media program consists of a specialized training
center, where more than 30 film industry professionals will share
their video and photojournalism expertise with participating wounded
Marines. Here the Marines will learn the art and craft of visual
storytelling, a new skill to aid their careers and help them heal.
The Foundation has created a pilot
program, which will train two classes of 25 or more wounded Marines
per year in media, filmmaking, sound design, editing, graphics
and photojournalism.
Inaugural Class, January - March 2008
Wounded Marine Training Center for Careers in Media
The program will assist wounded
Marines in transitioning to new careers and help them develop
professional skills, on-the-job experience, and confidence in
an environment mentored by leading media industry leaders. Graduating
Marines will acquire professional certification in specific skills
and also receive Union membership in the International
Alliance of Theatre Stage Employees (IATSE) and job placement
if and when they need to be medically retired.
The Center began teaching its inaugural class
in the new 5,000 square-foot San Diego facility in January 2008. The first class of students is planning to graduate on March 20, 2008.
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