TV shows and movies: do military consultants get it right?

2015-01-02T16:37:08-05:00

When watching tv shows and movies that have military in them it makes me wonder how these military consultants got their job and how much they are actually listened to by the director. I see some crazy obvious mistakes and other times they seem to get it right. Do you think that these military consultants get it right or do you think that Hollywood should change how they use them?

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jan 30 at 2015 12:21 PM

2015-01-30T12:21:45-05:00

I want that job, and the first thing I would do is slap the....slap anyone wearing a beret. Yes, 87.3% or our solders mess it up, but good God just don't wear it if you think they are worn like the guy making pizza?

Response by Maj Matt Hylton made Jan 30 at 2015 1:30 PM

2015-01-30T13:30:10-05:00

I had a friend of mine (PA officer) that actually did a tour as a Air Force PA in Hollywood. I believe each service has a PA office there as well.

While they are not consulted on everything involving the military, you can normally tell when they are/aren't.

He told me that Army PA was not consulted on the Incredible Hulk by Marvel - I think that's somewhat obvious after seeing the movie.

Transformers consulted both AF & Army (hence what I consider a pretty badass CAS scene in the desert) and he got to work on the first two Transformer movies - giving advice, consulting other AF members in certain career fields on advice about scenes/scripts.

Iron Man 1 & 2 also consulted with the AF PA office while he was working there and I think they did a pretty good job with both of those as well.