By Jennifer Ballou | Observer Contributor
When it comes to the military, most people think of jobs like radio tech, engineer, or mechanic. For Alan Knesek, his job was something completely different: a photojournalist.
Now 35, Knesek’s career with the Army Reserves began after Christmas his senior year of high school. “I didn’t know what to do,” he said. “So, I followed in my father’s footsteps. He was a Lieutenant Colonel when he retired.” Since he was under 18, he had to get waivers signed by his parents allowing him to join the Reserves. Knesek spent the first four months doing drill, all while finishing and graduating from high school.
Knesek finished his basic training in Texas over the summer and was ready to find his place within the Reserves. “I thought I’d be a carpenter or plumber, but was quite surprised when they said they needed a photojournalist,” said Knesek. Never having any formal camera training, he “went in blindly” when he agreed. He was given about three months training at Fort Meade in Maryland, where he had to “learn on the fly.”
As a photojournalist, he was part of the Civil Affairs branch, acting as the liaison between civilians, the military, and the media. Knesek covered news on the bases, which had their own local papers. He spent a year in Cuba, as well as time in Korea and Germany, interviewing military personnel and covering events.
When asked about what stuck with him the most during his eight years, Knesek said his deployment to Cuba was the most memorable. “Basically, you’re on a tropical island for a year. I did so many interviews: Miss Universe and Miss U.S.A. contestants, Jimmy Buffet, 4-star generals on detail visits. Though we were stuck on base, on the whole, it wasn’t a bad gig,” said Knesek.
Though he hasn’t done much photographing since leaving the Reserves, Knesek hopes to get back into it with the setup and Nikon that he bought. “I learned on film, so it’s going to be a learning process.”
Now, Knesek is a full-time student in his second semester at Mount Wachusett, working in the nursing program. He was convinced to pursue the field after meeting a former nurse that suggested the Mount and their program. His drive is his children, one of which has eight major food allergies. Knesek hopes to work on developing treatments and services to help children with severe allergies.
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