AS 150,000 U.S. TROOPS prepare for a war with Iraq, the soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen of America’s legions aren’t the only ones packing bullet-proof vests and kevlar helmets into their backpacks. In newsrooms and editorial offices around the country an army of journalists is also gearing up for a possible war in the Middle East.

Reversing a post-Vietnam trend towards holding the press at arm’s length, the Pentagon has begun to actively assist news organizations to get to the front and cover America’s victories–and possible defeats–in its war against Saddam Hussein. The Defense Department has authorized nearly 500 journalists–including 100 from overseas news organizations–to link with U.S. forces and follow them into war.