Military Veterans in Journalism’s Annual Convention: Washington, D.C. 2022

Washington D.C. It conjures up romantic images in the mind. To some, it is a shining light on a hill-a symbol of what is best in humanity, and what other countries can aspire to be. To others, it is the seat of the Devil.

The Lincoln Memorial (Author’s Collection)

The Gettysburg Address (Author’s Collection)

The Senate (Author’s Collection)

FBI Headquarters (Author’s Collection)

D.C. Metro (Author’s Collection)

Natural History Museum (Author’s Collection)

The Washington Monument (Author’s Collection)

The Egyptian Embassy (Author’s Collection)

Some of MVJs best members all came from the infantry before becoming journalists. Some find work with prestigious news outlets such as CNN.

Well known Veterans organizations include The American Legion and VFW. There is one organization, however, that stands above the rest when it comes to helping veterans. This organization is known as MVJ

(Military Veterans in Journalism).

Military Veterans in Journalism - Building Community. Supporting Career Growth. Advocating for…

Founded by Russell Midori, a veteran of the US Marine Corps, and Zack Badoff, a veteran of the US Navy, Military Veterans in Journalism’s mission is simple: get more military veterans working in America’s newsrooms.

Russell Midori, President/Founder of MVJ

Zack Baddorf, Executive Director/Founder of MVJ

This year, the annual convention was held in Washington D.C. It allowed veterans, who are journalists, and in rare cases, aspiring journalists, to connect with each other as well as news organizations such as CNN, NBC, and The Wall Street Journal.

MVJ is a great place for veterans to network and to find a place in the international world of journalism.

For those with very little journalism experience, the convention can be overwhelming, but the other veterans are universally supportive. They also help to point debutant journalists in the right direction.

The schedule for the convention

This year’s convention was held at the Reserve Officers Association of the United States which is flanked by the US Capitol and the Folger Shakespeare Library

Employers and universities in the lobby

The convention began with MVJ members introducing themselves to various employers. Nearly every veteran at the convention was already working for a news organization. Undoubtedly, they were looking for something better.

A talent scout with Hearst accepts resumes

Brandon Ferry, with the American University, informed veterans of the graduate programs in journalism and film

MVJ’s President delivered the opening remarks

The convention had an excellent view of the Capitol

Reporting on Disabled Veterans

Microsoft described its new tools for reporters. Strangely, Bill Gates was not even mentioned

MVJ’s cofounder/Executive Director, also took an active role at the convention

One of the most interesting, yet disturbing aspects of the convention, was the talk on extremism in the veteran community. This extremism is usually white nationalist or Islamic in nature. If any MVJ members held extremist views of their own, they kept it to themselves.

Bill, who leads a counter-terrorism think tank at The University of Maryland, expressed his group’s conclusion about the attack on Salman Rushdie

The Military Veterans in Journalism Annual Convention was an enlightening experience. Veteran journalists were very motivational. They were also passionate about their work. Any honorably discharged veterans with interests in journalism should definitely join MVJ.