MTV visits 30th HBCT Real World Soldier in Iraq

Jul 12, 2009

By Pfc. Kelly LeCompte, 30th HBCT PAO, MND-B

BAGHDAD - A two-man team from MTV's Real World program spent a week at Joint Security Station Saydiyah filming the final portions of a follow-up story on one of the show's former participants, Spc. Ryan Conklin of Company B, 252nd Combined Arms Battalion, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team.

Conklin, a Gettysburg, Pa. native, had starred in the Brooklyn edition of the show and received the official notice for his deployment during filming. 

MTV followed him through part of his mobilization and pre-deployment training and is filming the final portion, his deployment to Iraq. 

Photography director Jason Williams and producer Matt Ruecker covered Conklin doing everything everything from patrols in Baghdad's Saydiyah neighborhood to life at the small base at the end of June and early July.

The Real World program involves moving a handful of people into a house together, and covers their daily interactions. "The specialty of The Real World is it is an examination of these people and the way they deal with these things in their lives, and this is just an extension of that," said Ruecker. During the show, Conklin received a call from his brother saying that he's been recalled to active duty. Ruecker and Williams were there when Conklin received the call and have since followed him to Iraq. 

"It's not just a news story, it's deeper than that" said Ruecker. "Being the first people from MTV (in Iraq), I think that hopefully, we're going to provide a story that is not typical that is coming out of this region." "And not typical to MTV," Williams added. Conklin said he hopes the coverage from MTV will have a positive effect and maybe help open eyes of the younger American viewers. 

"I hope something positive comes out of it," Conklin said. "Even if it's just a slight introduction to just what things look like, or who's over here, or a face to Soldiers. I think that would be pretty good."

"It's been a life experience that neither one of us will ever forget," said Ruecker.

RETURN TO DUTY

MTV - BUNIM-MURRAY PRODUCTIONS