Favorite military-related videos, documentaries, films, and/or tv series... and why?

Well, now, this is a good one. Now hold onto your brass (officers), and chevrons (enlisted) Or anchors for Chief Petty officers. Because this list will be LONG....

Bombers B-52, Set at Castle AFB in Merced, CA. Tells the story of when the base received the first B-52's to enter service (B-52B). Has Karl Malden in it. (I was stationed at Castle in the early 90's when I first saw this movie on TV. The movie was filmed on Base in 1957. Whats funny is, my dorm room looked out at one of the scenes that was used in the movie. Since the old flightline came up to within at least 100 yards from my dorms since the old hangers were still standing.)

A Gathering of Eagles, A good movie about SAC with Rock Hudson. Tells the story of a base in CA that just had its Wing Commander Sacked for failing an ORI and Rock Hudson's character is the replacement. He has 90's to get the base and wing whipped back into shape.

SAC, with Jimmy Stewart. Tells the story of a baseball player recalled to active duty to serve as a B-36, and eventually as a B-47 pilot.

Band of Brothers- Enough said. We all know its about Easy company of the 506th PIR of the 101st Airborne Division.

The Longest Day, about the D-day landing from its conception to its execution.

A Bridge to Far, its about Operation Market Garden and what went wrong or right during the operation. (Band of Brothers also showcases it during and the aftermath)

Flying Leathernecks, About a Marine Corps squadron during WWII.

Sands of Iwo Jima and Flags of our Fathers, about the battle for Iwo Jima. I will also mention Letters from Iwo Jima since it is about the Japanese perspective of the battle.

Midway, About the lead and the battle that took place 6 months after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Tora, Tora, Tora, The attack on Pearl Harbor.

The Bridge at Remagen. About the taking of the last intact bridge across the Rhine River before it could be destroyed.

 Victory at Sea documentary series. Its about the naval battles that took place.

I am sure there are more, but they are not coming out or I can not remember them.

I've seen pretty much every movie/documentary/TV series out there but I have to say my favorite was the series "Inside Combat Rescue" from the National Geographic Channel.  It was a series that truly hit home since I was over in Afghanistan around the same time the show was shot and it seemed all too familiar.  It was also the first time the Air Force PJ's told their story.

I am partial to "Band of Brothers" and as is the case with most of us, I am sure, I tend to pick apart military films.  Recently I watched "A Few Good Men" again.  It bugged me that they implied a Marine Lieutenant (Kendrick/O-1 or O-2) outranked a Navy Lieutenant  (Kaffee/O-3).  Also that the two Marines on trial were convicted and dishonorably discharged for Conduct Unbecoming (Article 133 UCMJ).  Article 133 is Conduct Unbecoming an Officer (Commissioned/NCO/Warrant).  It would not apply to a PFC and Lance Corporal.  I suppose this mean I just don't fully enjoy military films when they have these sorts of problems.

I just recently watched the Ken Burns WWII documentary simply called, "The War."  If you have Amazon Prime you can watch it there for free.  As far as WWII documentaries go this has got to be the best one I've seen to date.  He covers so many different aspects of what life was like for servicemen and civilians.  He even delves into the POW situations stemming from Bataan, Japanese-American internment camps and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the sociopolitical atmosphere of the military at that time.  It is a seven part series so it takes some time to get through but it is well worth it.  I learned a lot.

U-571 and Band of Brothers-  

I'd have to go with "Full Metal Jacket"...

I have several military films that I like but my all-times favorites are Platoon (1986) and Apocalypse Now! (1979) because it shows a similar dysfunction of unit leadership that I have seen in some units.

I really enjoy "Rules of Engagement." It is a very thought provoking movie that I use in Leadership Development classes. You will on average have a split down the class as to whether Samuel L. Jackson's character did the right thing or not. Generates some very good discussion to get young leaders to think about the impact of their actions.