Capt. Trent F. Stevens, University ROTC enrollment officer and scholarship coordinator, was deployed to Kuwait last February to assist in placing journalists within American military units — the embedding process.

Stevens, who worked in the 318th Press Camp Headquarters unit, said he was chosen to serve in Kuwait because of his background and experience in journalism. He received his bachelors degree and masters in mass communications and another masters in public communication broadcasting from Western Illinois University.

After his activation in February, Stevens and his unit transferred to the Kuwait Hilton, a hotel serving as headquarters for the Coalition Press Information Center (CPIC). The CPIC coordinates the embedding process in Kuwait.

Stevens said the atmosphere was uneasy and everyone was nervous about the impending war when they arrived in Kuwait.

"Journalists were worried because they didn't know what to expect," said Stevens. He said physically, the landscape was different because there were no trees. Stevens said he didn't experience culture shock because he is Muslim and serving in Kuwait provided him the opportunity to mingle with the locals. "The Islamic community is very opened-armed and welcomes you," he said.

Stevens said the Kuwaitis work with people not by rank, but by their connection to a person. "I acted as ambassador for CPIC because of my religion."

Stevens said when he arrived at CPIC one of his duties involved credentialing, which includes checking papers and IDs to avoid counterfeit credentials.

"A lot of free-lance journalists try to do anything it takes to get into the country," Stevens said.

He also orchestrated a security task force which he said made Kuwaiti guests and media feel safe.

Stevens said serving at CPIC gave him the opportunity to observe the embedding process. "I learned a different style of journalism," he said.

Ron Yates, interim dean of the College of Communications, said journalism remains unchanged with the coming of the embedding process, but the way news stations work with the military has changed.

Yates, who served as an unembedded journalist in Vietnam, said unembedded journalists are sent to different areas to cover one story, while embedded journalists cover one part of a story residing within an assigned military unit.

Yates said the embedding process is beneficial for reporters. "It gives reporters access and access is critical."

Stevens said observing the process gave him a new respect for the media because the media was supportive of the embedding process.

Operations officer Noble Adigbli of the 318th Press Camp Headquarters unit said the embedding process gave the media first-hand knowledge of the events occurring on the battelfield. Adigbli planned all of CPIC's missions and was the executive officer in charge of overseeing the embedding of all journalists at CPIC. He said CPIC registered more than 3,000 media personnel and embedded more than 2,000.

After a month of assisting in the embedding process, Stevens and his unit transferred to Camp Doha where the rear Coalition Forces Land Component Command (CFLCC) operated. Stevens served two months at CFLCC as public affairs battle captain until he had to leave because of illness.

"I enjoyed it," he said. " I wish I could have stayed longer."

Stevens said his experience made him a stronger journalist.

"You improve your writing," he said. "The best way to stay sharp in the journalist business is you keep writing."

Although the ROTC department maintained its numbers, the department was "lacking something" during Steven's absence, said Staff Sergeant John Singletary. "Personally, this job here and him as the head of this job is what operates this program," said Singletary.