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Center for Oral History Recruits HUGE for Online Storytelling Hub

New York---In an effort to facilitate the public’s understanding and appreciation of the soldier life, the Center for Oral History (COH), part of the History Department in the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, has tapped HUGE to embark on a prestigious and innovative online project dedicated to offering a way to share soldiers experience of military life.

The new site will, in effect, create the first oral history of the U.S. military online.  This endeavor aims to portray a comprehensive, nuanced image of military life to scholars, historians and the public at-large.  The COH’s new endeavor, led by HUGE, will act as a multimedia repository for soldier stories ranging from veterans of the first two World Wars, as well as from those currently returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. 

"Ever since the U.S. instituted a volunteer army, there has been a growing gap in perspective between soldiers and the public whom they defend and represent," said Todd Brewster, Director. "In partnership with HUGE, we intend on bridging the cultural and occupational divide between soldier and civilian."

According to HUGE Engagement Director Tonya Leary, “The core goal is to create a multi-dimensional storytelling hub that offers an authentic military experience by supplementing personal, inspiring and sometimes heartbreaking soldier stories with contextual features, including interactive maps, that help illustrate a soldier’s experience during a particular combat mission as well as perspectives from military experts.“

Currently, HUGE is embarking on early user research to lay the strategic groundwork for the interactive design and implementation. The site will also offer visitors an extensive collection of audio and video material as well as written transcripts that will have broad appeal to scholars and academics as well as military enthusiasts and the general public.  For example, interviews from experts such as former Secretaries of State and Defense on war planning.  The COH advisory board includes acclaimed documentarian Ken Burns and former presidential advisor Brent Scowcroft.