While American Forces Network Stuttgart personnel are waiting for the completion of their new “home” on Robinson Barracks, they’ve managed to make a name for themselves across the Department of Defense.
In their inaugural year, the Soldiers and civilians of AFN Stuttgart claimed 15 awards during the last two months in Department of the Army and Department of Defense broadcast competitions.
“Even in the middle of a transition, we’ve been able to maintain a high level of quality for our products and to our customers,” said Lance Milsted, AFN Stuttgart station manager. “It’s a great credit to the folks I have working for me.”
Milsted was the station’s big winner, hauling in nine individual awards, and contributing to three others. Most noteworthy was his selection as the 2013 Defense Media Activity Civilian Broadcaster of the Year.
“Competing for an individual award like that is very gratifying. There are a lot of talented people out there, and I’m honored to have been chosen,” Milsted said.
Since becoming a part of the community in September 2012, the Soldiers have quickly integrated themselves into the community, providing video coverage and live radio broadcasts of community events. While event coverage may be their bread and butter, it was the personal stories that brought them accolades in the competitions, according to Staff Sgt. Lucas Hoskins, non-commissioned officer in charge of television for AFN Stuttgart.
“There are some amazing stories of courage and inspiration here in Stuttgart,” Hoskins said. “Stories you want to tell, and that people need to see and hear.”
Hoskins took first place for his radio and television sports reports in the Army’s Keith L. Ware Journalism Competition. The winning entries highlighted Patch High School senior Anthony Coltson, who despite having only one arm, excels at football and wrestling.
“I was inspired every time I was with Anthony. He and his family are great people. After I put the story together, I noticed that it had a really powerful message of resilience in it, and honestly, I only entered it into the competition so that more people would see it,” Hoskins said.
The theme of resilience carried over into other entries as well. AFN Stuttgart’s radio information program highlighting disability awareness took first place in the Department of Defense Thomas Jefferson Awards, the highest level of competition for military and civilian journalists.
The AFN team will settle into their new building later this year, which should provide some relief to the staff and pave the way for continued excellence, according to Milsted.
“The goal for my team is to do everything with excellence. I want to set the bar for all the other AFN affiliates,” Milsted said. “We’re very competitive and strive to be the best across the command.”
AFN staffers take multiple honors
DOD Thomas Jefferson Awards
• Radio News Report (Individual Award): 1st Place — Be a Good Scout, Lance Milsted
• Radio Information Program (Unit Award): 1st Place — Disability Awareness, AFN Stuttgart (Lance Milsted, Staff Sgt. Jarrett Simpkins, Staff Sgt. Justin Kuhl)
• Television News Report (Individual Award): 1st Place — Be a Good Scout, Lance Milsted
Defense Media Activity Awards Program
• Civilian Broadcast Journalist of the Year (Individual Award): 1st Place — Lance Milsted
• Radio News Report (Individual Award): 1st Place — Be a Good Scout, Lance Milsted
• Radio Feature Report (Individual Award): 3rd Place — Life Through Larsen’s Eyes, Lance Milsted
• Radio Sports Report (Individual Award): 1st Place — Patch Homecoming, Lance Milsted
• Radio Newscast (Unit Award): 2nd Place — AFN Stuttgart, AFN Stuttgart Transformation Radio Newscast (Lance Milsted, Staff Sgt. Joseph Labutka, Staff Sgt. Lucas Hoskins, Sgt. Sarah Goss, Valerie Resciniti, Staff Sgt. Jarrett Simpkins)
• Radio Information Program (Unit Award): 1st Place — Disability Awareness, AFN Stuttgart (Lance Milsted, Staff Sgt. Jarrett Simpkins, Staff Sgt. Justin Kuhl)
• Television News Report (Individual Award): 1st Place — Lance Milsted, Be a Good Scout
• Television Feature Report (Individual Award): 2nd Place — Life Through Larsen’s Eyes, Lance Milsted
• Television Newsbreak (Individual Award): Third Place — Guten Appetit: Da Signora, Lance Milsted
• Command Information Campaign (Unit): 3rd Place — Heidelberg Transformation, AFN Stuttgart (Lance Milsted, Valerie Resciniti, Staff Sgt. Jarrett Simpkins, Staff Sgt. Lucas Hoskins, Sgt. Sarah Goss)
DA Maj. Gen. Keith L. Ware Journalism Awards
• Radio Sports Report (individual award): 1st Place: Anthony Coltson, Staff Sgt. Lucas Hoskins
• Television Sports Report (Individual Award): 3rd Place: Anthony Coltson, Staff Sgt. Lucas Hoskins