Ridiculously Nervous About Making a Certain Phone Call

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I suppose this could also go under School and College Life, since it has to do with the film apprenticeship program I'm in, or even Social Skills and Making Friends, but here goes...

So, as part of the film apprenticeship program I'm in, I'm doing research and writing the script for a feature-length movie I'm going to be pitching to a Hollywood executive sometime early-to-mid next year. The movie idea I chose was one I've had in my head for a while now, about a US Air Force pararescue jumper (PJ) who becomes an impromptu war photographer after being captured and going MIA in Afghanistan. I've been watching documentaries on the PJs and reading everything I can find on them, but there're just certain things I can't capture in my research and the film, without actually interviewing a PJ personally.

Luckily, I've found that Moffett Federal Airfield, a military-civilian airfield near me, is home to the 129th Rescue Wing of the National Guard, a PJ unit. My ideas is to call up the base's public affairs department, and see if I can't talk my way into getting an interview with one of the PJs of the 129th. The thing is, I've never done anything like this before- calling up a government agency to ask for about possibly being granted an interview with one of its personnel. I know how to conduct myself, in theory, in order to swing it; saying I'm a filmmaker, that I'm' doing research for a script that features a PJ as the protagonist; using certain military terms and filmmaking key words where appropriate, etc... But I'm really, really nervous about it- probably even more-so than if I was interviewing for a really good job, or something.

It would mean so much to me if they did grant me an interview with one of the PJs there; I'd be grateful for even just a phone interview, and I'd be over the moon for an in-person interview. I'm just so nervous about actually calling them up and pitching them about it, it's ridiculous. I wanna do this so much, but I'm terrified to actually get the ball rolling on it.

Anyone got any advice, comments, suggestions, etc. that they'd like to share? I feel like I could use all the help, support and encouragement I can get to actually go through with it and make the call.

I say go ahead and give 'em a call. I know that the military loves good publicity whenever they can get it. It's sort of like advertisement for them. Also, the military do have their own cinematography and film areas so they'd already be familiar with what you're trying to achieve.

I second what redrobin62 said, and add to be sure to tell them you are an apprentice film maker at whichever school and who your professor is too. Instead of going into too much detail of why, ( for me it is that part that would make me most nervous) you could make it somewhat less detailed and tell whoever you talk to that you'll provide a copy of the your questions and such?
Also, it might be good to research some sort of similar situation where a member of the military is interviewed by a student film maker or student writer.
Good for you, best of luck. You can do this.

Ditto aboves. I was in AF and knew PJs and am familiar with Public Affairs. Be sure to take above advice and have details ready for both the phone call and to provide to them (paper or email). Remember to state you will not be asking anything about operations but just the personnal angle on training and what its like being in the military, etc. I can't say it will be approved but public affairs doesn't always have a lot to do and might be eager actually. Some PJ may be willing to talk as well. They probably don't get much chance at this sort of thing. They are often in there on the missions along with the SEALS and Rangers, etc, but its not well known. There were two involved in the Black Hawk down mission. But you probably already knew that.

Run the call through in your head as a "script". Write down key points you want to cover. Tick the points off as you cover them.

Vaguely try to control the call in accordance with your script but be flexible.

Courtesy and deference... Soldiers appreciate a bit of deference...

Other people posted useful practical advice, so I will just say to go for it.

Do some test runs first. Call other places and say that you are making a film about their occupation and you might be interested in interviewing some of the employees. Ask if that would be possible and how you would go about it. Tell them that you don't have a date in mind yet, but you are just putting out feelers at the moment. Call a hospital and talk to someone in administration, a police department, a fire department. Tell them you are considering it and would like to talk with someone about the possibility, that's all. No dates, nothing like that. Just asking them. Then call the military folks. You will have had some experience calling places and asking about it. You will have your "pitch" somewhat ready. It doesn't matter where you call before, as long as it's a fairly large and structured place. Call several different kinds. Be prepared for as*holes and nice people. That way when you call the military you won't be blindsided no matter how they act.