Journalists assigned to cover the Canadian mission in Afghanistan will now have to wear dogtags just like the soldiers.
The Canadian military says the dogtags will help make identification easier if there are any fatalities among journalists while they are out with soldiers.
Journalists will also have to take a first-aid course and attend information sessions to make sure they understand the risks of what they are doing in the war-torn country.
I'm pretty sure most journalists doing work outside the wire in Afghanistan have gone through some combat journalism training. They learn basic first aid, navigating themselves out of a minefield, dealing with checkpoint crises and hostage-takings, and other such good stuff.
Here's an ABC News story on such training.
Here's a Ryerson Review of Journalism article on a course at CFB Wainright.
I can't remember who else might offer such training in Canada. If some kind soul could drop a note, I'd be most grateful.