Posted on Dec 1, 2013
Favorite military-related videos, documentaries, films, and/or tv series... and why?
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There's a ton of great content out there dealing with military subject matter (training / operations-related, motivational, entertaining & educational, historical, etc.); the idea is to have a fun and thought-provoking discussion, and to learn a thing-or-two while we're at it. If you can remember details but not the title; no worries, just post a description, and we'll activate the RP network to help find it. Here we'll discuss those defining sources that influence us, our culture, as well as public perception and opinion... sort of a representation of the "art-imitates-life, life-imitates-art" concept. Well, there's certainly some memorable content out there, I have my favorites and I'm sure that that you all do too. So, strap on your seatbelts, pull-up a keyboard, and let's get this thing started; thank you for all that you do, and... see you all in the discussion threads!
Motivation
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Military Career
Edited >1 y ago
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Responses: 121
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RESTREPO. It isnt Hollywood, it is real and it didnt just deal with the facts, it brought out the emotion in the service members interviewed in the film. I was staioned in Afghanistan during part of the film. Remember hauling sling loads of building materials into the valley to help build the OPs.
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SPC (Join to see)
There is also a follow up to Korengal, it is called the last patrol (I believe that's the title), but I haven't been able to find it yet.
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This is the official trailer for the documentary film THE GHOST ARMY, which premiered on PBS May 21 at 8 PM. To purchase a DVD, click here: http://www.shoppb...
I love almost all military themed movies, but my favorite is the Band of Brothers series. First of all, Tom Hanks is a huge supporter of our WWII vets. Also, I really enjoyed hearing the vignettes interspersed within the episodes where the actual Soldiers that were there talked about what it was like. Finally, I am a paratrooper and I really connected with the story and the characters.
Honorable mentions: The Longest Day, A Bridge Too Far, The Dirty Dozen, The Great Escape, Patton, and The Big Red One.
As far as documentaries go, The Ghost Army is my favorite. I am interested in Military Deception, and this is the story of a group of Soldiers in WWII Europe that made a real and solid contribution to the Allied victory using deception.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6g1H3GJqBkc
http://www.ghostarmy.org
Honorable mentions: The Longest Day, A Bridge Too Far, The Dirty Dozen, The Great Escape, Patton, and The Big Red One.
As far as documentaries go, The Ghost Army is my favorite. I am interested in Military Deception, and this is the story of a group of Soldiers in WWII Europe that made a real and solid contribution to the Allied victory using deception.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6g1H3GJqBkc
http://www.ghostarmy.org
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SFC (Join to see)
Mine is The Unit. I choose that TV series because it didn't have all the drama associated with many of them and a great story line. It also seemed possible and supposedly many of the missions were similar to real life missions.
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I liked "Tour of Duty" from the early 90's, especially the first season.
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SFC Mark Merino
SSgt (Join to see) I just have season 1, but that was my favorite. They had some great guest stars too. Carl Weathers, Lee Majors......my CRS just kicked in.
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Film: Saving Private Ryan. I doubt any hollywood movie will ever be able to as accurately recreate the brutality of war as Steven Speilberg did with the opening Normandy invasion sequence.
Documentary: The War by Ken Burns. It's a fantastic seven part TV documentary about WWII from the American perspective. A close second is the film documentary Restrepo which covers an American platoon of soldiers during their 15 month deployment in Korangal Valley, Afghanistan.
TV Series: Obviously Band of Brothers and The Pacific are going to get the most votes in this category, so I'll vote for Generation Kill. No TV show/movie/anything-other-than-a-documentary ever get everything right, but this is one of the most accurate portrayals of the military I've ever seen on TV. Even little things like the little chirp military radios make are there, and it's the little things such as those that sold me on the show. It's about a group of marines during the initial invasion of Iraq.
Book: I know books weren't explicitly mentioned by the thread author MAJ Burns, but I've got to toot my own horn here a bit. The Good Soldiers by David Finkel is a book about 2-16 IN during their 15 month deployment to Baghdad, Iraq for the surge. I say I'm tooting my own horn here because this happens to have been my unit and covers my first deployment. I find it pretty awesome that a portion of my life has been chronicled in such a way.
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Men of Honor. I always get misty eyed at the end when Sunday is demanding 12 steps out of Brashear; and Brashear is so determined to give them. It is also based on a true story. Makes it that much more awesome.
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Col (Join to see)
SFC Warden, great movie... and a powerful scene indeed! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up_xZ0VOSUM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqQB1HkMyak
http://zuguide.com/Men-of-Honor.html Cuba Gooding Jr. stars as Carl Brashear, the first African-American man to serve as a Navy SEAL. Coming from a poor fami...
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1SG (Join to see)
I have the great pleasure of serving with Phil Brashear, a Pilot in our unit here at FT Eustis. His father has served as an inspiration to all of us. CW4 Brashear continues to carry his father's legacy with the same grace and style.
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SFC (Join to see)
SSG Reeves I am inspired to hear that you have the honor to serve with a member of such a legacy. It is amazing to hear that Mr. Brashear has etched his mark of excellence in his own way but also that he continues his family line with honor. Thank you for sharing.
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I could name several, but off the top of my head I always enjoyed watching Mail Call with R. Lee Ermey. I love the way he can present/instruct and demonstrate the awesomeness of past, present, and future military weapons or anything in general. I feel it's a great educational, historical, or even a comical way to pass the time, if you're into that sort of thing.
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TSgt (Join to see)
That was a great show. I met R. Lee Ermey at RAF Lakenheath in 2006. This man really impressed me with his ability to exude "badassitude" while still finding time to sign a few autographs for us troops. My favorite series would have to be Band of Brothers. It really hit home when my family and I had the opportunity to visit Bastogne, Belgium last Memorial Day. Next trip: The Eagles Nest on the Swiss Alps!!
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SSgt (Join to see)
I'm jealous! I wish I could have met him in person. Fortunately, I've visited Bastogne as well. Such a great trip with so much to learn and see. I was actually going to Eagles nest after my 3 day trip to Garmisch(Edelweiss Lodge and Resort. Highly recommend a visit), but some traffic issues happened and it would have ended up being about 8 hours until we got there. Sooo we didn't go. I hear it's awesome though.
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MSgt (Join to see)
SSgt (Join to see) TSgt (Join to see) Just a little trivia. R Lee Ermey was medically discharged as a SSgt (E-6) in 1972. On May 17, 2002, Ermey received an honorary post-service promotion to Gunnery Sergeant (E-7) from the Commandant of the Marine Corps General James L. Jones.
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Modern era it would have to be Heartbreak Ridge, in the past it would have to be Patton.
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