What film best captures what being in the military is truly like?

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 13:19:38 -0400

Good or bad, what film accurately portrays life in uniform?

Response by SSgt Ryan Sylvester made Jun 12 at 2017 1:23 PM

SSgt Ryan Sylvester — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 13:23:12 -0400

You're going to laugh or ridicule, but Ender's Game did a pretty damned good job of it, if you look at it objectively. You know, aside from the whole putting kids into combat roles to fight a war but not actually fighting (I still to this day don't know if any of those ships were actually manned).

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2017 1:25 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 13:25:17 -0400

One would almost have to say it depends on the genre and personal taste/view of the viewer of movie(s)

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2017 1:27 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 13:27:40 -0400

Love this!!!

Response by SPC Lucas Diercouff made Jun 12 at 2017 1:43 PM

SPC Lucas Diercouff — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 13:43:13 -0400

I really felt that Fort Bliss was one of the most accurate depictions of Army life as a combat medic in a very long while. The story about a single mother SSG with a stressed and near impossible family life while looking at her 3rd deployment was pretty spot on. A brilliant and poignant depiction of women serving in the Army.

Response by SSG Pete Fleming made Jun 12 at 2017 1:47 PM

SSG Pete Fleming — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 13:47:10 -0400

Kelly's Heroes, not because of the story but the characters, all are different but come together for a common cause. A military unit is like whether to steal NAZI gold or fight terrorist or beat the other platoon in a football game we are all odd characters that came together and formed one unit.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Jun 12 at 2017 2:01 PM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 14:01:14 -0400

SGT Joseph Gunderson HBO did a movie called "Taking Chance" it was about the process of transporting a Marine who was KIA home for his funeral. It is worth watching. There were some onion chopping ninjas lurking about when I watched it the first time. It starts with the Marine arriving in Dover, and goes through the process. It shows the morgue, and the work done by the staff there to prepare our honored dead for their final journey home. It was a military film featuring the Marines with no fighting. I would highly recommend the film.

Response by SPC John Parmenter made Jun 12 at 2017 2:03 PM

SPC John Parmenter — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 14:03:37 -0400

Gregory Peck starred in a couple excellent, fairly realistic, military movies:
"Pork Chop Hill" set in the Korean War, &
"Night People" about dealing with Soviets in occupied Berlin.

Response by SSG Stephen Elder made Jun 12 at 2017 2:31 PM

SSG Stephen Elder — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 14:31:21 -0400

In the past it was Hart break ridge, platoon, Full metal jacket.
Now Thouse times are gone. Being bad ass and kickin in doors has past.
90% Admin 10% kick ass is the norm.
This is a admin army now. The best ERB (aka 201 file) is the best soldier in the army now.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2017 2:59 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 14:59:04 -0400

Tropic Thunder? I mean, I'm sure there's some folks out there the initially screwed some stuff up, but ended up doing some pretty heroic stuff because of the initial screw up.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2017 3:18 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 15:18:54 -0400

Watched it the day before I left to MCRD San Diego.
'Boys of company C'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fVkwltV1_I

The Boys in Company C

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2017 4:01 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 16:01:06 -0400

https://youtu.be/WtdQcvQKllk

Any true story that the Govt allows to be told. But this one and "Saving Private Ryan", and "Black Hawk Down"might be my best so far.

We Were Soldiers

The year is 1965 and America is at war with North Vietnam. Commanding the air cavalry is Lt. Col. Hal Moore (Gibson), a born leader committed to his troops. ...

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2017 4:44 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 16:44:01 -0400

Although it is a Sci Fi film, with an over the top story, Battle Los Angeles is pretty accurate in my mind about serving in a Marine infantry platoon.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2017 5:04 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 17:04:56 -0400

Tigerland. That was Ft Polk to the tee.

Response by SP5 Dave (Shotgun) Shockley made Jun 12 at 2017 6:40 PM

SP5 Dave (Shotgun) Shockley — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 18:40:54 -0400

Band of Brothers one of my favorites.

Response by SSgt Gary Andrews made Jun 12 at 2017 7:05 PM

SSgt Gary Andrews — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 19:05:24 -0400

Best depiction of Marine boot camp was in Full Metal Jacket......by far. I loved Sands of Iwo Jima.....but have hated Forrest Tucker ever since for getting his buddies killed. Eastwood did a good job of playing a Gunnery Sergeant in Heartbreak Ridge.....but the movie itself wasn't very realistic. Lou Gossett Jr. did a great job in Officer and a Gentleman.

Response by MSgt Mark Bucher made Jun 12 at 2017 8:24 PM

MSgt Mark Bucher — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 20:24:17 -0400

A Night At The Opera starring the Marx brothers. Either that or Animal House

Response by SSG Robert Webster made Jun 12 at 2017 8:44 PM

SSG Robert Webster — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 20:44:56 -0400

Airborne (a film from 1962)
Filmed at Fort Bragg, NC and included soldiers and NCOs of the 82nd. If you have been at Fort Bragg before the current billets construction you should recognize parts of the Old Division area and the area around the NCO Academy and the Golden Knights HQs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiGWTjhZUP4

Airborne Bill Hale Carolyn Byrd Robert Christian Mekel Angel movie

A group of young Americans have adventures as they advance through training to become paratroopers in the 82nd Airborne Division. The 82nd Airborne sergeants...

Response by Miranda Golter made Jun 12 at 2017 11:44 PM

Miranda Golter — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 23:44:23 -0400

.....clearly the only answer to this is Top Gun.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2017 12:36 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 00:36:56 -0400

Lately, it seems like Stripes fits the bill

Response by MSgt Neil Greenfield made Jun 13 at 2017 12:40 AM

MSgt Neil Greenfield — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 00:40:49 -0400

One of my favorites is "The D.I.", with Jack Webb as the main D.I. (of Dragnet fame). I haven't seen it it in a while, but here's a link to the trailer:
https://youtu.be/riYfFQMPIP0

The D.I - Jack Webb

As a United States Marine this is one of my favorite movies staring one of the GREATEST actors Jack Webb as a United States Marine Corps Drill Instructor. Mr...

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2017 2:42 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 14:42:37 -0400

It depends on each individuals experience in the military. For example, I've only been in an ADA unit up to now, so all the infantry stuff, I have no idea what that's like. My day to day is like The Office. Hopefully that changes once I go to Korea.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 13 at 2017 4:47 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 16:47:05 -0400

This question comes up on a regular basis and my answer is always the same. "With the Marines at Tarawa". Won the Oscar for best Short Documentary with the MC the only service to have been awarded an Oscar. FDR had to approve the release to the public as it was especially graphic for the time.

Response by LCpl John Miller made Jun 14 at 2017 2:59 AM

LCpl John Miller — Wed, 14 Jun 2017 02:59:41 -0400

If have to say FMJ i haven't watched any of the new movies about the sand box but seen the previews and they looked pretty spot on

Response by SPC Kenneth Koerperich made Jun 15 at 2017 6:26 AM

SPC Kenneth Koerperich — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 06:26:46 -0400

Sorry, but really none of them. They all are Hollywood's take on the military. It's why the credits show several "Advisors" yet if you watch very closely in every movie, you can find the effups.

It comes down to your taste. There are several movies that hit you, and give you the feel of the life, yet IMO are not entirely correct.

JMO....

Response by CWO4 Gene A. made Jun 19 at 2017 7:07 PM

CWO4 Gene A. — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 19:07:55 -0400

The Last Detail 1973 Starring Jack Nickelson.

Response by SCPO William Akin made Jun 19 at 2017 7:43 PM

SCPO William Akin — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 19:43:23 -0400

Gardens of Stone is one I kinda took a liken to.. Not really sure why other than it pretty much mirrored my attitude when I returned to the "World"
For the most part Holly-weird sucks when it comes to things Military..

Response by SPC Jeffrey Reese made Jun 19 at 2017 8:19 PM

SPC Jeffrey Reese — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 20:19:47 -0400

To be honest you all may laugh but Good morning Vietnam was actually a good depiction. Leave out a few of Robin Williams antics and it was fairly accurate.

Response by MSgt George Cater made Jun 19 at 2017 8:35 PM

MSgt George Cater — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 20:35:44 -0400

Hamburger Hill hands down. Vietnam to a T.
Language. Cynicism. The futility of guerrilla war with no front lines, body counts and hard fought terrain abandoned. Weapons, gear, explosions and sound effects. No Hollywood giant fireball explosions.
Until SPR, BOB & The Pacific, nothing else met that level of realism.

Response by Sgt Thomas Proctor made Jun 19 at 2017 8:56 PM

Sgt Thomas Proctor — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 20:56:26 -0400

"Patton", After hearing remarks from people that served with and under Gen Patton of how "realistic", and "it made me feel that I was back on the battlefield" along with reading what former Third Army veterans have written about the movie, I would have to rate this movie up at the top.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2017 9:52 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 21:52:25 -0400

I've said it before and I'll say it again. HBOs Generation Kill. I was never in the Corps, but I deployed at the same time and the overall feel is spot on. The convoys in soft skin vehicles, the ever-present MOPP gear, the constant changes on ROE and mission, the good and bad leadership, the banter and dialogue. I highly recommend it.

Response by 1SG Mike Cummings made Jun 19 at 2017 10:16 PM

1SG Mike Cummings — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 22:16:51 -0400

None do. Some get parts right. Every branch is different. I served in 2 and many joint force groups. No one movie can tell the story or observations in multiple services. Each is different.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jun 19 at 2017 11:01 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 23:01:19 -0400

SGT Joseph Gunderson FROM HERE TO ETERNITY is about the US Army in the days before WW II. Great material about being hard ass!

Response by LTJG Richard Bruce made Jun 19 at 2017 11:48 PM

LTJG Richard Bruce — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 23:48:22 -0400

Sailor movies; "The Finest Hours" recreation of a real life rescue. "Onion Head" - Andy Griffin as a CG cook. "Boatniks" - great movie about a patrol boat in Marina del Ray. "The Defection of Simas Kudirka" - true story about Russian sailor jumping aboard a cutter at sea during a political conference on the 200 mile fishing limit. One of my CO's was a junior officer when this incident occurred. He was the first officer to meet Kudirka and hid him from the Russians. "Master and Commander" - never get tired of watch this sea story set during the Napoleonic Wars.

But #1 realistic naval movie has got to be "Mister Roberts". I can relate to every character. Never was the laundry officer, but as Ensigns, my roommate and I pulled a lot of pranks.

Response by Capt Dwayne Conyers made Jun 19 at 2017 11:52 PM

Capt Dwayne Conyers — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 23:52:21 -0400

“13 Hours” was a great expository on the Benghazi situation.

Response by PO3 Thomas O'Brien made Jun 20 at 2017 5:13 AM

PO3 Thomas O'Brien — Tue, 20 Jun 2017 05:13:07 -0400

Mister Roberts was the shop on my first ship, with a little bit of Ensign Pulver and The Caine Mutiny sprinkled in.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Jun 20 at 2017 5:16 AM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Tue, 20 Jun 2017 05:16:52 -0400

Wow. This is becoming quite the comprehensive list and many of which listed I have not seen. I'm going to have to set aside a weekend to watch a lot of these.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Jun 20 at 2017 3:06 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Tue, 20 Jun 2017 15:06:55 -0400

Oh, and I'll tell my age and mention an old Vietnam movie, Go Tell the Spartans with Burt Lancaster. His story of why he wasn't promoted past Major is a hilarious note in an otherwise very serious movie.

Response by SPC Corbin Doades made Jun 21 at 2017 2:44 AM

SPC Corbin Doades — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 02:44:13 -0400

HBO's Generation Kill, Band of Brothers, RESTREPO and the secondary movie to RESTREPO but I can't think of its name.

Response by SPC Greg Burk made Jul 3 at 2017 4:23 PM

SPC Greg Burk — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 16:23:59 -0400

The movie that most closely resembles my experience in the military would be full metal jacket, that covers boot camp to a tee. As far as the the remaining time in service it's a toss up between stripes and MASH.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2017 9:47 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Oct 2017 09:47:11 -0400

Gardens of Stone. There a a very few that get the opportunity to serve at The Old Guard. To date is my favorite of all time. It hits home. We honor all

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2019 4:14 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Dec 2019 16:14:24 -0500

if you have the Black Hawk Down dvd watch the special features. Each group that played the night stalkers, Rangers, and delta guys all got to train with and go through(parts at least) of their selections. It was a pretty cool thing to watch!

Response by SP6 Jim Sherman made Dec 22 at 2019 5:00 PM

SP6 Jim Sherman — Sun, 22 Dec 2019 17:00:50 -0500

We were soliders

Response by PO1 RIchard Petty made Dec 23 at 2019 10:29 AM

PO1 RIchard Petty — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 10:29:47 -0500

Well, this is a hard one you can say pretty much all them, but Sands of Iwo Jima, Band of Brothers, Saving Private Ryan, Hacksaw Ridge, The Last Detail, Midway (Old), Full Metal Jacket for Boot Camp, Fire Base Gloria (Before R. Lee Emery was Famous),

Response by SCPO Robin Wallace made Dec 23 at 2019 12:03 PM

SCPO Robin Wallace — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 12:03:26 -0500

Worked there in 2005.

Response by SSG Stephen Arnold made Dec 23 at 2019 12:29 PM

SSG Stephen Arnold — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 12:29:16 -0500

It depends on what aspect of the military you seek.

The majority of military service is not direct combat, even in combat units.

Response by LTJG Joe Hindorff made Dec 23 at 2019 12:56 PM

LTJG Joe Hindorff — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 12:56:03 -0500

In the 1950's Jack Webb made a movie called "The DI" in which he played a Drill Instructor. My Marine Drill Instructor recommended it to my class as an accurate depiction of boot camp during that era.

Response by SMSgt Chris Schroeder made Dec 23 at 2019 3:24 PM

SMSgt Chris Schroeder — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 15:24:20 -0500

The Normandy beach landing from Saving Private Ryan was quite emotional for me.

Response by LCpl Paul Messer made Dec 23 at 2019 3:44 PM

LCpl Paul Messer — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 15:44:46 -0500

Full Metal Jacket had probably the most accurate boot camp scenes.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2019 4:05 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 16:05:10 -0500

Modern military? Then it would be HBO's "Generation Kill" or "Restrepo"

Response by SGT Larry Burrow made Dec 23 at 2019 4:10 PM

SGT Larry Burrow — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 16:10:42 -0500

The most realistic ambush scene I have seen in movies is from believe it or not Forrest Gump.

Response by 1LT Steve Dunlap made Dec 23 at 2019 4:55 PM

1LT Steve Dunlap — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 16:55:15 -0500

Generation kill is pretty accurate.

Response by SPC Randall VanAusdle made Dec 23 at 2019 7:21 PM

SPC Randall VanAusdle — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 19:21:09 -0500

Rambo

Response by PO1 John Caudle made Dec 23 at 2019 9:12 PM

PO1 John Caudle — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 21:12:50 -0500

Down Periscope was one of the more accurate submarine movies believe it or not.

Response by LCpl Eugene McDonnell made Dec 23 at 2019 9:29 PM

LCpl Eugene McDonnell — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 21:29:54 -0500

I would have to say the movie "Saving Private Ryan" was a good portrayal of military life. I would also say "To hell and back" with Audie Murphy (MOH) was a real good movie.

Response by PO2 Harvey Sandler made Dec 23 at 2019 10:41 PM

PO2 Harvey Sandler — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 22:41:28 -0500

Lt Gen. Hal Moores' We Were Soldiers Once...And Young, was filmed as We Were Soldiers w/ Mel Gibson. The film is good, the book is better. The background just can't be developed fully in a two hour movie.

Response by LCpl Robert Carr made Dec 24 at 2019 12:19 AM

LCpl Robert Carr — Tue, 24 Dec 2019 00:19:40 -0500

As an ex marine I'd say that " Full Metal Jacket " was the most accurate depiction of Marine Corps boot camp I've ever seen on screen. Of course R.Lee Ermey helped with that a great deal who at first was only there on the film set as an advisor but Kubrick had him take over the role of Hartman because Ermey actually WAS a Marine Corps drill instructor. And when I went through it in 1976 the drill instructors were just as mean and nasty and foul mouthed as anything. To add a little bit of spookiness to it all, when I was in 1st phase training I saw an MP truck with it's lights on heading out towards the rifle range at high speed. Apparently some recruit snuck a round off the range and shot himself during fire watch.

Response by Sgt Richard Jones made Dec 24 at 2019 12:21 AM

Sgt Richard Jones — Tue, 24 Dec 2019 00:21:56 -0500

Heartbreak Ridge Gunny Highway. Old Corp. I watch it every time it comes on..

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2019 12:53 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Dec 2019 00:53:49 -0500

Accurately depicts... I feel like Jarhead is being wildly overlooked for its personal/mental grasp on the experience.
I’m not a Marine, but that movie in it’s entirety was uncomfortably relatable for me.
Sure, many of the glory/tribute films are awesome and also can be quite accurate. Band of brothers, Blackhawk Down, Saving Private Ryan, etc... are great for that.
Then there are the Hurt Locker and Pearl Harbor (Michael Bay) that may be entertaining, but have the accuracy of a blind pianist at a silent movie.

But hey, that’s just my opinion.

Response by SSgt Chris Loomis made Dec 24 at 2019 7:01 AM

SSgt Chris Loomis — Tue, 24 Dec 2019 07:01:30 -0500

One movie that has not been mention is Strategic Air Command starring Jimmy Stewart. It shows what it was like to be in SAC not only in the 50's but right up to its last days in 1992 with the seemingly never ending ORI's, SAC IG, and NSI exercises.

Response by SCPO Jason McLaughlin made Dec 24 at 2019 8:04 AM

SCPO Jason McLaughlin — Tue, 24 Dec 2019 08:04:15 -0500

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Das Boot
Run Silent, Run Deep

Response by MSgt Chad Shuherk made Dec 24 at 2019 8:34 AM

MSgt Chad Shuherk — Tue, 24 Dec 2019 08:34:51 -0500

“Best Years of our Lives“ I think best depicts the struggles many military have adjusting to civilian life. It’s filmed in the 40s but is a timeless story.

Response by Bob Cole made Dec 24 at 2019 9:06 AM

Bob Cole — Tue, 24 Dec 2019 09:06:21 -0500

One I have not seen mentioned is Twelve O’Clock High, starring Gregory Peck. A great examination of the pressures of command in the early months of the Eighth Air Force’s daylight bombing campaign over Europe.

Response by PO3 William Summers made Dec 24 at 2019 10:30 AM

PO3 William Summers — Tue, 24 Dec 2019 10:30:43 -0500

My grandfather who served in WWII, battle of the bulge, said Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers were the most realistic movies of WWII he had ever seen. He had a lot of trouble getting through the Band of Brothers episode “Bastogne”., but finished watching every episode. Man the stories he told and I believe everyone of them! After all he had 9 bronze stars that proved what he did

Response by CPL Eric Waters made Dec 24 at 2019 11:29 AM

CPL Eric Waters — Tue, 24 Dec 2019 11:29:29 -0500

Well, it depends on what you're looking for. As weird as it sounds, based on my experience, M*A*S*H* (1970) is oddly close. Not in a literal sense, but the whole moments of intense activity interspersed with mind-numbing boredom sums up my service pretty well.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 24 at 2019 12:42 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 24 Dec 2019 12:42:12 -0500

Band of Brothers

Response by MAJ Judd Clemens made Dec 24 at 2019 12:53 PM

MAJ Judd Clemens — Tue, 24 Dec 2019 12:53:51 -0500

T h e L o n g e s t D a y .

Response by Blaine Sours made Dec 24 at 2019 2:09 PM

Blaine Sours — Tue, 24 Dec 2019 14:09:20 -0500

FULL METAL JACKET

Response by Pvt Jim Jansma made Dec 24 at 2019 2:21 PM

Pvt Jim Jansma — Tue, 24 Dec 2019 14:21:47 -0500

Generation Kill

Response by PO3 Helen Hill made Dec 24 at 2019 3:40 PM

PO3 Helen Hill — Tue, 24 Dec 2019 15:40:37 -0500

I liked Patton but have to say an Officer and a Gentleman was good also

Response by MAJ Doug Mattox made Dec 24 at 2019 3:53 PM

MAJ Doug Mattox — Tue, 24 Dec 2019 15:53:08 -0500

NO question!

"No Time for Sergeants" Staring Andy Griffith. LOL

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 24 at 2019 4:01 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 24 Dec 2019 16:01:50 -0500

I thought Fury was pretty good at describing tankers in WWII.

Response by Maj John Bell made Dec 24 at 2019 9:44 PM

Maj John Bell — Tue, 24 Dec 2019 21:44:27 -0500

A film about what being in the military is really like would be impossibly boring.

Response by LTJG Richard Bruce made Dec 24 at 2019 10:53 PM

LTJG Richard Bruce — Tue, 24 Dec 2019 22:53:40 -0500

As a sailor, movies "Mister Roberts", "Their Finest Hours", and "The Boatniks" shows how normal life at sea is like.

Response by CPT Larry Briggs made Dec 24 at 2019 11:51 PM

CPT Larry Briggs — Tue, 24 Dec 2019 23:51:30 -0500

Saving Private Ryan

Response by SFC Carl Penrod made Dec 25 at 2019 8:26 AM

SFC Carl Penrod — Wed, 25 Dec 2019 08:26:21 -0500

Garden of stone....with James Cain and James Earl Jones.

Response by SN Peter Stella made Dec 25 at 2019 8:58 AM

SN Peter Stella — Wed, 25 Dec 2019 08:58:30 -0500

McHale's Navy- i've heard this said by others.

Response by SPC John Decker made Dec 25 at 2019 11:10 AM

SPC John Decker — Wed, 25 Dec 2019 11:10:33 -0500

I've always been a fan of military/war movies. They all seem to have some accuracy and each reminds me of some aspect of my time in uniform. To pick a favorite would be to diminish the others.

Response by SPC Greg Ferraro made Dec 25 at 2019 1:27 PM

SPC Greg Ferraro — Wed, 25 Dec 2019 13:27:11 -0500

Full Metal Jacket. Although the drill sergeants didn’t hit us, Drill Sergeant Hartman’s sarcasms and treatment of the troops was what I went through in basic training.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Dec 25 at 2019 1:53 PM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Wed, 25 Dec 2019 13:53:15 -0500

MASH. It's comedy, it's satire, it's definitely exaggerated, but it's the army under all that Hollywood glaze.

Response by TSgt Christopher Duemmel made Dec 25 at 2019 2:09 PM

TSgt Christopher Duemmel — Wed, 25 Dec 2019 14:09:29 -0500

There was a movie a while back called “The Beast” and was about a Soviet tank crew during the Afghanistan occupation. I think it did a good job portraying what it was like then.

Response by SPC Kurt Thorne made Dec 25 at 2019 2:17 PM

SPC Kurt Thorne — Wed, 25 Dec 2019 14:17:31 -0500

When people ask about basic training I say it was a mix between Full Metal Jacket and Stripes.

Response by LTC Tommy Rayburn made Dec 25 at 2019 6:39 PM

LTC Tommy Rayburn — Wed, 25 Dec 2019 18:39:42 -0500

The Boys of Company C. Really goofy things happen at times.

Response by MSgt James Littlejohn made Dec 25 at 2019 6:46 PM

MSgt James Littlejohn — Wed, 25 Dec 2019 18:46:46 -0500

There is no film (movie i.e.) that has ever or can ever truly capture military life.

Response by MSG Kenneth Chojnowski made Dec 25 at 2019 6:49 PM

MSG Kenneth Chojnowski — Wed, 25 Dec 2019 18:49:35 -0500

All Quiet on the Western Front

Response by LCpl Bob Hamm made Dec 25 at 2019 7:27 PM

LCpl Bob Hamm — Wed, 25 Dec 2019 19:27:26 -0500

Full Metal Jacket. Almost thought I was back in boot camp.

Response by Sgt Bob Leonard made Dec 25 at 2019 8:02 PM

Sgt Bob Leonard — Wed, 25 Dec 2019 20:02:49 -0500

Too many variables to choose one movie. Marines or Air Force? Officer or Enlisted? Combat, support, or administrative?

Most of the titles listed, like "All Quiet on the Western Front", "The Longest Day", "Full Metal Jacket", and "MASH" - even "Catch 22" - do a good job of capturing certain aspects of the Military in combat (and there others, too numerous to list or even remember). But, as someone else mentioned, a movie that tried to capture a completely comprehensive account of the entire Military "experience" would probably put you to sleep.

Response by SPC John Crandell made Dec 25 at 2019 11:01 PM

SPC John Crandell — Wed, 25 Dec 2019 23:01:26 -0500

Back when they came out, I thought that MASH was a hoot, but felt that Catch 22 was far more real. Exponentially surreal as it is, Apocalypse Now has got to be the greatest flick of all, IMO. The horror.

Response by CPL Thomas Luff made Dec 26 at 2019 8:12 AM

CPL Thomas Luff — Thu, 26 Dec 2019 08:12:31 -0500

hacksaw ridge ; about medic in the wwII in the south pacific saving a lot of men. also won MOH

Response by SFC Edward Bell made Dec 26 at 2019 9:20 AM

SFC Edward Bell — Thu, 26 Dec 2019 09:20:29 -0500

We were Soldiers....

Response by PFC Rick Clauder made Dec 26 at 2019 9:43 AM

PFC Rick Clauder — Thu, 26 Dec 2019 09:43:56 -0500

Platoon

Response by SFC William Van der Ven made Dec 26 at 2019 10:48 AM

SFC William Van der Ven — Thu, 26 Dec 2019 10:48:52 -0500

Although the Marine Corps supported Eastwood's production of Heartbreak Ridge, they must have really chuckled of putting one over on the real heroes of Grenada: the the Army Rangers! So I find it hard to recommend this film as an accurate portrait.

Response by PO3 Stephen Hansen made Dec 26 at 2019 10:49 AM

PO3 Stephen Hansen — Thu, 26 Dec 2019 10:49:29 -0500

Heart Break Ridge and Full metal Jacket.

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2019 11:18 AM

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Dec 2019 11:18:00 -0500

Honestly I can’t think of any movie that’s accurate because I always see a few things wrong and it bugs me for the rest of the movie. So i can’t decide which is the most accurate. I can name the least accurate movies portraying the military.

Response by SFC William Van der Ven made Dec 26 at 2019 2:28 PM

SFC William Van der Ven — Thu, 26 Dec 2019 14:28:10 -0500

Depends on the era: for the movies of WW2, i am guessing Sands of Io Jima, Biloxi Blues, Razorback Ridge & Band of Brothers; for Korea: Take the High Ground, Cold War; The D.I., Men of Honor, GI Jane; Vietnam has a couple: Tigerland, Full Metal Jacket; post Vietnam: Jarhead & Megan Leavey

Response by PFC Peter Bohnhof made Dec 26 at 2019 5:38 PM

PFC Peter Bohnhof — Thu, 26 Dec 2019 17:38:55 -0500

“Platoon” by Oliver Stone nailed some nuances of being in the field in the jungle. For example when Sheen was on watch in a patrol base the gnats and mosquitoes in his ears, taking a wet rag/ bandana to keep them out. I always hated that in the jungle, the never ending little bugs buzzing my ears, they seemed to like the big juice the Army issued us, stuff was great for putting on face camo nice and smooth though, lol

Response by SGT Norman Jepson made Dec 26 at 2019 6:49 PM

SGT Norman Jepson — Thu, 26 Dec 2019 18:49:38 -0500

We were soldiers

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2019 7:16 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Dec 2019 19:16:17 -0500

The HBO mini series “Generation Kill” is it. It’s the closest you will ever get to depicting everything aspect of “embrace the suck” and “hurry up and wait”. It gives the enlisted point of view of people who were appointed over them, simply because they had a college degree A.K.A. Officers. It’s shows the lack of leadership, communication, equipment, etc.

If you want the real feel, “get some” with Generation Kill.

Response by LTC Gary Earls made Dec 26 at 2019 8:29 PM

LTC Gary Earls — Thu, 26 Dec 2019 20:29:39 -0500

I prefer "The Green Berets" with John Wayne because I was one of the countless thousands of extras at Fort Benning, GA in 1967. Seriously, "We Were Soldiers" was one of the best. I've heard that Sam Elliott had SGM Plumley perfectly.

Response by SGT Eli Ford made Dec 26 at 2019 9:44 PM

SGT Eli Ford — Thu, 26 Dec 2019 21:44:00 -0500

It’s actually a after the Military life but it’s extremely accurate for many veterans, It’s called Sgt. Will Gardner.

Response by LT Louis Marano made Dec 26 at 2019 10:28 PM

LT Louis Marano — Thu, 26 Dec 2019 22:28:13 -0500

"The Lighthorsemen," Australian, 1987, directed by Simon Wincer.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2019 9:14 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Dec 2019 09:14:30 -0500

Generation Kill does a pretty good job at points.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2019 3:02 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Dec 2019 15:02:32 -0500

Obviously specific to era and situation but “Saving Private Ryan” and the quote of “Why We Fight” is one of my favorites.

Response by GySgt William Perkins made Dec 28 at 2019 10:31 AM

GySgt William Perkins — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 10:31:56 -0500

"Full Metal Jacket."

Response by CPL Mike Hansen made Dec 28 at 2019 2:00 PM

CPL Mike Hansen — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 14:00:34 -0500

Groundhog Day.....

Response by SGT Greg Gold made Jan 17 at 2020 11:01 AM

SGT Greg Gold — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 11:01:40 -0500

There is a movie about an intel squad in the battle of the bulge called 'A Midnight Clear'. 'Memphis Bell' does a pretty good job as well.

Response by SFC Ken Heise made Jan 20 at 2020 12:00 AM

SFC Ken Heise — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 00:00:01 -0500

Let there be light.

Shows how Soldier deal with PTSD.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038687/

Let There Be Light (1946) - IMDb

Directed by John Huston. With Walter Huston, Benjamin Simon. A group of mentally traumatized veteran patients is followed as they go through psychiatric treatment.

Response by PO2 Jimmy Alfaro made Jan 24 at 2020 7:53 AM

PO2 Jimmy Alfaro — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 07:53:48 -0500

Being a submariner, the movie “Das Boot” depicted life and death on a submarine very well

Response by TSgt Gary Garvin made Jan 24 at 2020 10:18 AM

TSgt Gary Garvin — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 10:18:20 -0500

Heartbreak Ridge, Taking Chance, Band of Brothers

Response by CAPT Hiram Patterson made Jan 24 at 2020 10:43 AM

CAPT Hiram Patterson — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 10:43:41 -0500

Twelve O'Clock High is a movie that shows the psychological aspects of aerial combat. The Navy has used and maybe still uses the movie to discuss leadership theory. I was in a Navy Intermediate Leadership Management Education Training (ILMET) course in 1990 where it was used. Unfortunately the instructor continually stopped the film to discuss various aspects of leadership which kind of ruined the impact of the film at key moments.

Response by Cpl Bobbylee Dominguez made Jan 24 at 2020 2:27 PM

Cpl Bobbylee Dominguez — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 14:27:58 -0500

No movie can ever describe, you have to experience it. Each man's experience is different.

Response by SFC David Drury made Jan 24 at 2020 11:28 PM

SFC David Drury — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 23:28:25 -0500

Saving PVT Ryan had me dodging bullets and the camaraderie in battle was about what we experienced. Blackhawk down was, as far as the battle and the Rangers side. But not so much as far as what the 10th MTN did to get them out of the pickle they got themselves into

Response by SFC David Drury made Jan 24 at 2020 11:29 PM

SFC David Drury — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 23:29:35 -0500

I agree about Taking Chance... damn good movie

Response by SSG Ray Elliott made Jan 25 at 2020 9:05 AM

SSG Ray Elliott — Sat, 25 Jan 2020 09:05:46 -0500

My active duty time was spent in the Navy, and I've yet to see a movie that actually portrays that experience. To be honest if there were a movie that portrayed that accurately I wouldn't want to watch it. My experience was that most of our time was spent maintaining equipment, and doing maintenance on the spaces on the ship assigned to us, and training for when we might have to put all that fire power to use. I'm not saying there was no action, and we did hit a lot of interesting ports of call, but the vast majority of our time was spent preparing for that small amount of actual action time. Portraying life in the military realistically wouldn't be a very exciting movie experience if you based it on my active duty military career. If it were a two hour movie it would be probably about 110 minutes of preparation work, like maintenance and training, and about 10 mins of actual action. All necessary and rewarding work, just not great entertainment value. I'm sure there are many other veterans who served in wartime whose experience would be much more interesting than mine was.

Response by SGT R Bowman made Jan 25 at 2020 10:59 AM

SGT R Bowman — Sat, 25 Jan 2020 10:59:54 -0500

I am a Vietnam veteran, served in an Engineer unit up in the Highlands. For the Vietnam era, "Platoon" ranks at the top on my Best List. The language, the mannerisms, the dress, everything really, made this film so realistic to me. All that was needed was the stench of the jungle. Number two on my Best List is "Saving Private Ryan". The first time I watched it...I bought the DVD and played it through my stereo system. Unreal! I have my big Sansui speakers arranged with one in each corner of the room. During the beach landing scenes the bullets were flying and it made feel I needed to duck. Again, unreal!

Response by CPO Robert Turner made Jan 25 at 2020 12:37 PM

CPO Robert Turner — Sat, 25 Jan 2020 12:37:48 -0500

"No Time For Sergeants". It was a great comedy and it depicts what all of the movies about military life is like; pure entertainment for the audience. Wrap yourself in the American Flag, grab your popcorn and soda and have a good time. Hoorah!!!!!

Response by Cpl Gabriel F. made Jan 26 at 2020 5:18 PM

Cpl Gabriel F. — Sun, 26 Jan 2020 17:18:43 -0500

" Taking Chance" was a real movie experience on escort of the fallen. Return of the dead has come a long way over the years.
As a civilian contractor Iraq became escort for a fallen comrade in 2004. The journey began on a C-130 BIAP AFB with unofficial notification from a caring U.S. Air Force captain that knew us. The Department of State woman from the embassy that was supposed to handle was one of the worst idiot bureaucrats in that long list of lousy DoS bureaucrats Iraq and completely did not care.
The U.S. Air Force was the very best all the long way back at each landing and should be always commended for this tough duty. Landing late at Dover AFB the U.S. Air Force was on the tarmac ready to receive with full honors. The trip from Dover to West Virginia was on contractor and up to me. God keep you Ray.

Response by Cpl Gabriel F. made Jan 26 at 2020 6:29 PM

Cpl Gabriel F. — Sun, 26 Jan 2020 18:29:11 -0500

The part of "The Sands of Iwo Jima" with Forrest Tucker stopping at the four duce pit for coffee on the return trip with much needed bandoleers that SSGT. Andrews mentioned was shown somewhere along the line in ITR training. Packing crate movie theater with plank wood benches. We received a lecture on what goes wrong doing dumb moves like stopping for coffee on a ammunition run in combat leaving his buddies out of ammunition and getting bayoneted. 1 KIA, 1 WIA. The smoking lamp was then lit.

Did not watch holly-weird movies for a long period concerning military.
"With the Marines at Tarawa" real movie. "Tell it to the Spartans"
" Full Metal Jacket" did have some good points. Some scenes of conditions and how it was. Politics rushing Marines piece meal into combat outnumbered with no air or artillery support. Do it but do not destroy the buildings. Finally someone allowed supporting arms against well dug into buildings NVA. The NVA were still being supplied and reinforced from the backside of the Perfume. Sniper would have been gutted and left her nasty for the rats. NOTE: Sixties Parris Island 1st Battalion USMCRC did not have toilet seats. Sneaking live 7.62 off the range was no problem. At the time all D.I. cadre combat veterans. This is my rifle this is my gun.
"Fire Base Gloria" was a good movie on conditions and how it was. "Hamburger Hill" the one hill drunken girl killer Ed Kennedy stated the U.S. would not take. That statement made the brass mad.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Jan 26 at 2020 6:57 PM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Sun, 26 Jan 2020 18:57:30 -0500

None that I've seen.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jan 26 at 2020 7:32 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sun, 26 Jan 2020 19:32:45 -0500

I've never seen any film that accurately depicts what service life is like. I suppose the problem is that it's quite different for everyone. However, there is one film that accurately portrayed the emotions of war, and that was Apocalypse Now. No, I'm not saying that it accurately portrayed events, but it did well portray the confusion and surrealism of combat. Field commanders seem like economist to me. They prepare for each day as though they actually understand what is going to happen and how they can affect events. They then spend the next day explaining what happened and why events didn't transpire as they predicted or expected. Then, they launch into their predictions for the next day without acknowledging that they have never gotten it right. Meanwhile, the battlefield, like the economy, proceeds as it will, resisting control and responding to a myriad of influences that can't be seen let along measured or predicted.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2020 7:35 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jan 2020 19:35:16 -0500

The DI starring Jack Webb.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2020 7:55 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jan 2020 19:55:28 -0500

Tropic Thunder.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2020 7:55 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jan 2020 19:55:38 -0500

Tropic Thunder

Response by CPO Albert Kennison made Jan 26 at 2020 8:45 PM

CPO Albert Kennison — Sun, 26 Jan 2020 20:45:40 -0500

For me it was IN HARMS WAY.

Response by CPL Douglas Chrysler made Jan 26 at 2020 8:48 PM

CPL Douglas Chrysler — Sun, 26 Jan 2020 20:48:24 -0500

I could name a few that aren't even close to accurate.

Response by LTC Charles Patchin made Jan 26 at 2020 9:30 PM

LTC Charles Patchin — Sun, 26 Jan 2020 21:30:31 -0500

For Army basic training, Biloxi Blues and Take the High Ground. It does not change. No movie has been made that depicts garrison life as 12 hr days filled with sheer boredom and BS details followed by nights of beer, booze and hoping to get laid. Modern combat is Restrepo

Response by 1SG Tom Pirrone made Jan 26 at 2020 11:12 PM

1SG Tom Pirrone — Sun, 26 Jan 2020 23:12:51 -0500

A Bridge To Far

Response by MAJ Montgomery Granger made Jan 27 at 2020 5:47 AM

MAJ Montgomery Granger — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 05:47:06 -0500

For me, there are several. I call them "You are there" movies. "84 Charlie MoPic," the MOS for a hand-held super 8 film specialist in Vietnam, following and interviewing a LRRP patrol. It's up close and personal. "Das Boot," German language with English subtitles. German WWII U-Boat crew on a mission to hell and back. Close quarters, superb acting, and one heck of a story line put YOU in the submarine with the sailors. These are both, white knuckle, sweaty palm films.

Response by LT Ed Skiba made Jan 27 at 2020 7:37 AM

LT Ed Skiba — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 07:37:26 -0500

I like "Men of Honor." Some artistic license but also a pretty good depiction of the "old diving Navy." Cuba Gooding played a great part. Brought back a lot of memories to this old hard hat diver.

Response by David Haddick made Jan 27 at 2020 6:15 PM

David Haddick — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 18:15:25 -0500

I wasn't in the army, but my Dad was, and he didn't reference a film, but rather a very old TV series, "Combat" with Vic Morrow. It had something to do with how the platoons were spread out and positioned.

Response by CPT Richard Fematt made Jan 28 at 2020 12:08 AM

CPT Richard Fematt — Tue, 28 Jan 2020 00:08:32 -0500

There were many great war movies in my 64 years here. One that someone doesn't think about was PT 109 the story of JFK as a young Navy Lieutenant prior to him becoming CIC! Others that come to mind was the The Fighting See Bees, Midway, Sands of Iwo Jima, and Pursuit of the Graf Spee!!

Response by SP5 Christopher Brock made Jan 29 at 2020 2:19 PM

SP5 Christopher Brock — Wed, 29 Jan 2020 14:19:52 -0500

A tv show called Over There, they Took actual Soldiers Stories and made it into a Series only ran for 1 season

Response by Kenn Evans made Jan 29 at 2020 4:49 PM

Kenn Evans — Wed, 29 Jan 2020 16:49:11 -0500

The Fighting Sullivans, originally released as The Sullivans, is a 1944 American biographical war film directed by Lloyd Bacon and written by Edward Doherty, Mary C. McCall Jr., and Jules Schermer.

Response by SFC Jeffery Hodgkinson made Jan 29 at 2020 9:35 PM

SFC Jeffery Hodgkinson — Wed, 29 Jan 2020 21:35:38 -0500

Hacksaw ridge, they shall not grow old..

Response by PO3 Ron D made Jan 30 at 2020 12:17 PM

PO3 Ron D — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 12:17:44 -0500

Full Metal Jacket was spot on for the boot camp experience, regardless of what branch of service

Response by SPC Heath Hansen made Jan 31 at 2020 2:32 AM

SPC Heath Hansen — Fri, 31 Jan 2020 02:32:49 -0500

Full Metal Jacket, in my opinion, gives the most accurate depiction of basic training I’ve ever seen in a Hollywood movie. When civilians ask me what boot camp was like, I always recommend they watch that movie to get a feel for the experience.

As far as life as an infantryman, on the line, I think Platoon is the most accurate portrayal of life as a grunt. The hardships, the misery, the exhaustion, and the brutality - are all depicted very accurately in this film. Oliver Stone (a former infantryman and Purple Heart recipient) did a fantastic job giving the viewer a real taste of life as a combat infantryman in this movie.

Response by 1SG James Kelly made Feb 2 at 2020 9:06 AM

1SG James Kelly — Sun, 02 Feb 2020 09:06:15 -0500

My She spent a year in a MASH outfit in Vietnam; said the movie wasn't even close.

I'm kind of partial to 'Catch 22'.

Response by SPC David Hess made Feb 2 at 2020 9:57 AM

SPC David Hess — Sun, 02 Feb 2020 09:57:32 -0500

Platoon portrayed the grittiness and filth of jungle warfare. Even without the enemy the jungle could kill you. Full Metal Jacket combat scenes were too surrealistic. David Hess 11B army paratrooper Vietnam 1967-68-69

Response by MAJ Steve Daugherty made Feb 4 at 2020 2:18 PM

MAJ Steve Daugherty — Tue, 04 Feb 2020 14:18:07 -0500

Ironically, though full of Hyperbole and exaggeration. MASH had a realistic feel with the dimensions of the various characters.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2020 6:23 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Feb 2020 18:23:42 -0500

I'm not even joking about this, down Periscope. This movie, while a complete comedy, shows multiple types of leadership and different types of command challenges. I highly recommended this movie to all the officers under me at any given point.

Response by TSgt Doreen Clark-Blake made Feb 4 at 2020 11:06 PM

TSgt Doreen Clark-Blake — Tue, 04 Feb 2020 23:06:04 -0500

I enjoy most of them. The most believable (in no specific order) American Sniper, Full Metal Jacket, Fury, Saving Private Ryan, Men of Honor, A Few Good Men, Black Hawk Down, Crimson Tide, Courage Under Fire, Good Morning Vietnam.

Response by CPO John Kosewic made Feb 7 at 2020 2:44 AM

CPO John Kosewic — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 02:44:12 -0500

After reading the comments, it's really hard to choose. "Sands of Iwo Jima" made much more sense if seen after "Letters from Iwo Jima". But all in all, I think I joined the Navy in 1963 because of the TV series "Victory at Sea". I Think that says a lot. In 1965, "In Harm's Way" confirmed my decision.

Response by SGT Charlie Ray made Feb 7 at 2020 3:25 PM

SGT Charlie Ray — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 15:25:51 -0500

Full Metal Jacket by far!

Response by SGT Adam White made Feb 9 at 2020 10:14 AM

SGT Adam White — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 10:14:15 -0500

The mini series "Generation Kill" from HBO is the best portrayal of military/deployed life, IMO.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2020 5:14 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 17:14:56 -0500

Response by LCpl Michael Cappello made Feb 10 at 2020 12:39 AM

LCpl Michael Cappello — Mon, 10 Feb 2020 00:39:56 -0500

All I know is that the first time I encountered "Full Metal Jacket" I was sleeping and found myself on my feet, at attention at the end of my bed. LOL. Full metal Jacket is the closest thing to ACTUAL Marine Corps boot camp as I have found.

Response by SPC Donn Sinclair made Feb 10 at 2020 8:05 AM

SPC Donn Sinclair — Mon, 10 Feb 2020 08:05:59 -0500

"The D.I." Jack Webb as Tech Sgt Jim Moore. Only thing missing was the cursing. Vietnam movies? An obscure Aussie film titled "The Odd, Angry Shot" was as close as any to what I remember in-country.

Response by SPC Brent Melton made Feb 14 at 2020 9:24 AM

SPC Brent Melton — Fri, 14 Feb 2020 09:24:45 -0500

Restrepo.

Response by Sgt Gregg Chmara made Feb 15 at 2020 11:30 PM

Sgt Gregg Chmara — Sat, 15 Feb 2020 23:30:04 -0500

For me at least, "Good Morning Vietnam" -- I briefly served under a specific Sergeant during my tour in Korea with Radio Gypsy (AFKN) and he was as RA as portrayed in the film. That would have been fine -- except at the time I was the only USAF airman serving north of the 38th parallel and I was (and am) nowhere as talented as Robin Williams. He was transferred to Nam after I was there two months -- and I ended up with another Army type not as RA, but who disliked the Air Force.

I was supposed to stay with TAC and go to Greece in the same type of job, after my time in Korea, but like all things military in them thar days, while on leave those orders were cancelled and I was transferred to SAC in the USA where the alternatives in my AFSC kicked in.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2020 11:38 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Feb 2020 11:38:34 -0500

Range 15

Response by SGT Jody Beach made Feb 27 at 2020 8:45 AM

SGT Jody Beach — Thu, 27 Feb 2020 08:45:36 -0500

McHales Navy...... (For Laughs Only)

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2020 2:05 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Feb 2020 14:05:59 -0500

Best film that portrays life in uniform? Hands down In the Army Now, by Paully Shore. Seriously too. Other films might do a better job of portraying battle, deployment, honor, brotherhood, but actual military life? In the Army Now.

Response by CPL Mark Garrigus made Feb 27 at 2020 4:23 PM

CPL Mark Garrigus — Thu, 27 Feb 2020 16:23:15 -0500

Larry the Cable guy
Delta Farce

Response by SMSgt Eleonore Lawson made Feb 27 at 2020 5:48 PM

SMSgt Eleonore Lawson — Thu, 27 Feb 2020 17:48:37 -0500

No one has mention the movie “ Green Berets” . Yea it was a little long in the tooth with John Wayne being John Wayne, but that extraction scene of the General by the MC-130 Fulton extraction System was pretty cool. The Green Berets were a bit of a mystery during the war but this movie put them out there.
Then there’s was that song by Barry Saddler “Ballad of the Green Berets”

Response by TSgt Sandra Harden made Feb 27 at 2020 8:13 PM

TSgt Sandra Harden — Thu, 27 Feb 2020 20:13:34 -0500

Idk but films I liked were March or Die, Born on the 4th, We Were Soldiers, GI Jane, Reverant, and many of the old black and white films.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2020 10:08 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 10:08:49 -0500

Okay, a lot of great answers here covering serious to funny. But the madness of military life, showing the experience civilians simply will not understand... "3 Kings" with George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, and Ice Cube. Try to explain some of your experiences to those who have never stood in formation - you wind up saying, 'You had to be there.'

Response by PO3 William Summers made Feb 28 at 2020 1:15 PM

PO3 William Summers — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 13:15:17 -0500

Taking Chance was so real, ive started watching three times and have never finished it

Response by MSG David King made Feb 29 at 2020 2:39 PM

MSG David King — Sat, 29 Feb 2020 14:39:45 -0500

Anything R. Lee Ermey was in. I loved that guy for his real portrayal of DI's. Don't look to Hollywood for anything but hyperbole and nonsense.

Response by Sgt John Koliha made Feb 29 at 2020 8:30 PM

Sgt John Koliha — Sat, 29 Feb 2020 20:30:43 -0500

Tribes. MCRD at San Diego. Early 70s

Earl Holiman as the Lifer. Jan Michael Vincent as the Boot/Hippie. Darin McGavin as the DI AND Career Marine.

Best depiction of the depiction between a Career vs Lifer I’ve ever seen.

Response by SSgt Paul Murray made Feb 29 at 2020 8:49 PM

SSgt Paul Murray — Sat, 29 Feb 2020 20:49:30 -0500

Probably one of the most underrated and under watched unknown movies.

Response by SSgt Paul Murray made Feb 29 at 2020 8:52 PM

SSgt Paul Murray — Sat, 29 Feb 2020 20:52:44 -0500

My veterans organization and Patriot Guard group does honor guard at funerals. After I saw this movie I make copies in DVD and handed them out to families that want a copy and that have lost their fallen Warriors to show them the care and consideration that is been done for them.

Response by 1SG Michael Farrell made Mar 1 at 2020 2:42 AM

1SG Michael Farrell — Sun, 01 Mar 2020 02:42:58 -0500

The worst aspects of it show up in things like The Eagle and Waiting for Godot. I got into the habit of keeping a book that I knew I should have but hadn't in my rucksack, and when I found myself sitting on the gymnasium for at For Lewis for entirely too much time, I start wherever I had left off the last time until I was so sick of that I couldn't stand to ever open it again. The Fall of the Roman Empire lasted about four months before I was totally fed up with; Clauswewitz On War is still in my collection, but I think what I was observing and living through was all about Friction as Von C put it, and I passed on the rest of it tho I still revisit now and again. War and Peace turned off in a few months; I refuse to read anything that is compared to Tolstoy on general principles. Moby Dick was one I started when I knew I had only a few months left, and if I could it again, I might start reading it but I'm not buying another copy.
Films -- From Here to Eternity was a great film and novel and nothing like the world we have today. When did we ever have an actual peacetime Army since Task Force Smith? Stockade with Sheen Father and Son was interesting although it was overly dramatic; I think there were great portrayals in Band of Brothers, A Bridge Too Far, and the Sharpe's Rifles series both in the films and in the books. I often think of this exchange in the show, when Sean Bean as mustang LT Sharpe argues with his boss that "You expect me to ask men to die for a rag on a stick?" to which the officer replied, "That's what you do Richard." Camaraderie, small unit cohesion, brotherhood, insane bravery, and a refusal to compromise seemed idealized a bit but also entirely familiar. I often think back to one other film I unfortunately haven't seen that often -- What Price Glory?

Response by PO1 Edward Pate made Mar 1 at 2020 12:52 PM

PO1 Edward Pate — Sun, 01 Mar 2020 12:52:06 -0500

There are a lot of great ones and some not so much. As a Navy destroyer veteran I'll have to say The Enemy Below and The Caine Mutiny. Makes me feel almost like I'm back onboard ship!

Response by LCpl Cody Collins made Mar 2 at 2020 12:17 AM

LCpl Cody Collins — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 00:17:57 -0500

Saving Pvt. Ryan, my neighbor Fred was a 19 year old and was part of the D-Day landing. He said when he watched Saving Pvt Ryan. It was very accurate.
I think Fury was very accurate from a tank crew view.

Response by PFC Bruce Cook made Mar 2 at 2020 11:31 AM

PFC Bruce Cook — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 11:31:27 -0500

I also loved the movie "Taking Chance" & also had the onion choppers around. Kevin Bacon was great & the part where they switched planes in Minneapolis/St. Paul hit me hard & then my allergy's kicked in along with the onion choppers moving real close to me. My Wife asked me why I was watching it & I told her I cant stop.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2020 11:39 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 11:39:49 -0500

12 Strong. Captures one of the greatest military campaigns of recent times

Response by Cpl Ricardo Toledo made Mar 2 at 2020 8:42 PM

Cpl Ricardo Toledo — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 20:42:57 -0500

When people use to ask me about the Gulf War I just would tell them to watch Jarhead

Response by 1SG Thomas Sergent made Mar 3 at 2020 9:23 AM

1SG Thomas Sergent — Tue, 03 Mar 2020 09:23:20 -0500

I'm not sure you could find it today but Jackie Gleason made a movie, "Soldier in the Rain" in 1963 which left an impression on me. I was a 17 year old private and watched it at the base theater on Ft Hood, Tx. I went on to retire in 1984 (at Ft Hood, of course). If you want a shot of nostalgia see if you can find the old B&W film. 1SG retired Thomas Sergent

Response by SPC Chester Brathwaite made Mar 4 at 2020 1:15 PM

SPC Chester Brathwaite — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 13:15:23 -0500

Restrepo (Documentary)

Response by SGT Michael Heffner made Mar 4 at 2020 11:47 PM

SGT Michael Heffner — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 23:47:43 -0500

There are afew that I can remember... But " Gardens of Stone" was a good one, Hamburger Hill wasn't bad...

Response by SN Charles Weinacker made Mar 13 at 2020 10:40 PM

SN Charles Weinacker — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 22:40:23 -0400

Fury

Response by MAJ Terry LaFrance made Mar 19 at 2020 3:09 AM

MAJ Terry LaFrance — Thu, 19 Mar 2020 03:09:26 -0400

Lots of good comments but I have to throw out Blackhawk down. It is one of the best book to movie adatptions and the book is superb.

Response by Sgt William Collins made Mar 20 at 2020 1:26 PM

Sgt William Collins — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 13:26:19 -0400

I have to go with Full Metal Jacket. Boot Camp was pretty close to the real Parris Island with only a few strays into Hollywood fantasy, probably due to Lee Ermey being on hand. I was there and I can see him screaming at me, but he would never have let you sneak a round off the range. Hue was little more contrived but it still came closer to the real thing than most. I did think the female VC sniper was pretty phony because I never saw any VC, much less female, in Hue. Maybe they were doing the NVAs laundry or something.

Response by Sgt William Collins made Mar 20 at 2020 1:33 PM

Sgt William Collins — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 13:33:45 -0400

I have to go with Full Metal Jacket. The Parris Island segment was pretty accurate with just a few Hollywood strays, probably due to Lee Ermey being on board. I can sure as hell see him screaming at me, alhtough he would never have let a live round off the range. Hue was pretty close but had it's phony moments. The female VC sniper was dramatic excess. I never saw any VC, much less female, in Hue. Maybe they were mess boys for the NVA.

Response by SPC(P) Brandon Jenkins made Mar 22 at 2020 10:35 PM

SPC(P) Brandon Jenkins — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 22:35:40 -0400

I think a lot of that depends on your unit and how a typical day goes for you on and off duty. My unit was absolute bananas some days, and that show "Enlisted" was probably pretty accurate in some episodes.

Response by LCDR Clark Paton made Mar 23 at 2020 5:48 AM

LCDR Clark Paton — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 05:48:54 -0400

For me, it was the most recent rendition of "Midway." The uniforms of the time, the customs/traditions of the Navy at the time, and the historical accuracy about even little things made me think that I was there, along with the protagonists, fighting to save America against a determined enemy.

Response by SPC Brian Stephens made Mar 23 at 2020 2:12 PM

SPC Brian Stephens — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 14:12:51 -0400

For the fun of it, I am going to say "Stripes." While I did not get to guard General Barnaby's EM-17, I did get to dry fire missiles in Germany and fire live rockets off the coast of Crete. Plus, I think Warren Oates as the drill sergeant was the funniest of them all. My unit was called by our evaluators "the most profane unit in the history of NATO to fire a live missile from Crete."

Response by PO2 Ed Taylor made Mar 24 at 2020 9:58 PM

PO2 Ed Taylor — Tue, 24 Mar 2020 21:58:52 -0400

My favorite of all time is TO HELL AND BACK- AUDIE MURPHY. NAVY CB'S - JOHN WAYNE some of the others are THE BRIDGES OF TOKO RE,D DAY THE MOVIE. IN HARMS WAY. RUN SILENT RUN DEEP.PVT BENJAMIN. SGT BILKO, GOMER PYLE the movie. TH FLYING TIGERS, YOU NEVER HEAR THE BULLET, THE GREEN BARET THE DIVALAS BRIGADA/ THE DEVILS BRIGADE, TWELVE O CLOCK HIGH, FAIL SAFE, FULL METAL JACKET, COL OLIVER NORTH'S NARATION OF OUR ARMED CONFLICTS, THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE, ANYTHING WITH THE NAVY SEALS IN IT. AS OF LATE I HAVE BEEN REALLY HEARTFELT AND TOUCHED BY A PRESENTATION YOU CAN FIND ON YOU TUBE CALLED ( ANGEL FLIGHT ) BRING EM HOME BOYS.
ED TAYLOR PO2 AND SGT NAVY AND ARMY ( MANY MANY HATS )
THERE ARE TO MANY TO EVEN CONSIDER,SAVING PVT RYAN, A BRIDGE TO FAR, JAG.
THE PASTOR OF MY CHURCH AN AIR FORCE VET PUT TOGETHER ALL OF THE MILITARY CEMETARIES AROUND THE WORLD, WHERE DIFFERENT COUNTRIES HAVE PAID HOMAGE TO OUR DEAD FROM OUR FIGHT TO KEEP FREEDOM RINGING NOT JUST FOR THE USA BUT FOR ALL WHO WISHED FOR GODS FREEDOM. THIS PRESENTATION I THINK IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL OF ALL TO THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN ALL.

Response by SSgt Andrew Urban made Mar 26 at 2020 10:17 AM

SSgt Andrew Urban — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 10:17:00 -0400

Major Payne

Response by Cpl Gene Deatley made Mar 26 at 2020 3:29 PM

Cpl Gene Deatley — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 15:29:53 -0400

The 1st half of full metal jacket depicts perfectly marine Corps boot camp. The second part is nothing like real life.

Response by Cpl Shane Dickinson made Mar 26 at 2020 8:22 PM

Cpl Shane Dickinson — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 20:22:34 -0400

Jarhead is the closest Hollywood could get I’ve seen

Response by PO1 David Shepardson made Mar 27 at 2020 8:05 PM

PO1 David Shepardson — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 20:05:38 -0400

From my experience: Mr. Roberts.

Response by LTJG Sandra Smith made Mar 29 at 2020 12:48 AM

LTJG Sandra Smith — Sun, 29 Mar 2020 00:48:14 -0400

Being a nurse, my experiences were different than most, but I just watched a short series on Acorn, depicting a group of Aussie and New Zealand girls who were nurses during WW I, following them from Gallipoli through the rest of the war, that was quite good depicting their difficulties gaining respect from the soldiers and Medical Corps alike, gaining and keeping supplies to care for their patients, the deplorable conditions in which they worked. It's called "Anzac Girls".

Response by FN Randy Bohlke made Mar 29 at 2020 7:23 AM

FN Randy Bohlke — Sun, 29 Mar 2020 07:23:40 -0400

Y'all mean the army isn't like Mash?

Response by SFC Bryan Livasy made Mar 29 at 2020 7:44 PM

SFC Bryan Livasy — Sun, 29 Mar 2020 19:44:50 -0400

Old Post ..but I'll play along ... Full Metal Jacket and the less touchy feely military was closest, ... May try to get back in if the coed showers of Starship Troopers ever gets implemented

LOL

Haole

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2020 11:04 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Mar 2020 23:04:23 -0400

The Pentagon Wars, at least for staff officers....

Response by SFC Joseph Behmke made Apr 6 at 2020 12:42 PM

SFC Joseph Behmke — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 12:42:36 -0400

Depends on when the life was depicted, where it was depicted. The Wooden Barracks we lived in from the 40's until the mid 70's are all but gone. I still see some standing at Ft. Knox, but unused. Some of the newer movies convey accurate Wartime lodging in the Middle-East (on Bases). The TV Series JAG offered insights into Navy base life at the time; but I don't think any movie has touched on the complete life of any service member. I don't think the military wants all of that to come out because recruitment would probably drop.

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2020 4:59 PM

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 16:59:19 -0400

The movie I would make: it would be two and a half hours long and would show people sitting, standing in lines with piles of bags in various airports and PAX terminals, in lines to use restrooms, phones or to get something, anything to eat. At the end of the movie, as the credits rolled, the klaxon would go off and everyone would take cover and as we fade to black, there would be a high-velocity explosion. The End. It would not be a commercial success but it would reflect and accurately portray life in uniform.

Response by SPC Albert Schafer made Apr 6 at 2020 11:15 PM

SPC Albert Schafer — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 23:15:51 -0400

Generation Kill

Response by CPT Lawrence Cichelli made Apr 24 at 2020 7:44 AM

CPT Lawrence Cichelli — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 07:44:46 -0400

Ever see the movie A Bridge Too Far?

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2020 10:06 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 10:06:54 -0400

Red vs Blue. Not as much of realism of combat and training, but the common sense and humor of the military for sure.

Response by SPC Albert Schafer made May 6 at 2020 1:14 PM

SPC Albert Schafer — Wed, 06 May 2020 13:14:52 -0400

The production I would make would be: Fifteen or twenty WW ll soldiers. and sailors , 17,18 and 20 yr old young men
dressed in wool fatigues and bellbottoms.... full kits, spats, M 1 rifle, helmet ... the whole thing... walk out onto a high school assembly stage in the auditorium.... Not really knowing where they are and no knowledge of the year....having a bewildered look on their faces... one by one they introduce themselves... age, hometown, number of brothers and sisters and give a reason why they enlisted etc... Really some babyfaced kids with patriotism oozing out of their ears... Let the assembly of high schoolers get acquainted with them...
intermission.... progress a year into thier service overseas in both theaters of war.. When they return to the stage after intermission there are only eleven. .. They tell of the happenings over the past year or two.... Somehow transition to the men they are today... a bunch of old men with stories to tell ... twelve old men and eight of the original kids who never grew old...
Put a face on these old men that gave so much and the kids who died before they lived....

It's is just a vague outline of a movie or play but somehow show these kids in the assembly that it wasn't a bunch of old men who marched off to defend this country but it was them....
Maybe instill some respect for what was done for them by old men.. and those who never grew old..

Response by CPO Robert Turner made May 13 at 2020 11:39 AM

CPO Robert Turner — Wed, 13 May 2020 11:39:02 -0400

"No Time For Sergeants" Starring Andy Griffith or the 1960's T.V. Show McHale's Navy and maybe, just maybe the first half hour of "Full Metal Jacket". The military films put out by Hollywood are all about entertainment and what the audience expects to see and not reality. Most if not all Military type movies are B.S.

Response by SN Herman Lee made May 14 at 2020 12:46 PM

SN Herman Lee — Thu, 14 May 2020 12:46:55 -0400

1980's "The Final Countdown" with Marton Sheen and Kirk Douglas. Not a war movie, more of a alternate history type. Loved the ending with the admiral.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2020 9:36 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 May 2020 21:36:34 -0400

Major Payne. XD

Response by PO2 Greg Donahoe made May 28 at 2020 1:54 PM

PO2 Greg Donahoe — Thu, 28 May 2020 13:54:25 -0400

The Boys From Company C. Perhaps the most accurate depiction from the Vietnam Era.

Response by PO3 Charles Brooks made May 29 at 2020 4:39 AM

PO3 Charles Brooks — Fri, 29 May 2020 04:39:00 -0400

M.A.S.H. Tropic Thunder if you’re Spec Ops.

Response by PO1 Mike Wallace made Jun 8 at 2020 4:43 PM

PO1 Mike Wallace — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 16:43:55 -0400

Always enjoyed Boys in Company C.

Best Navy movie for me has always been John Wayne's In Harms Way (gut bustin mother lovin Navy war- best line ever). I served on the cruiser they called old swayback. During my admiral staff time did 1/2 a cruise each in 67 and 69 on the St. Paul. Other parts of each cruise was aboard a bug gun cruiser Newport News.

Response by LCpl Andrew Franko made Jun 8 at 2020 10:06 PM

LCpl Andrew Franko — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 22:06:29 -0400

"Taking Chance" was an outstanding movie! Another good one of similar nature was "Gardens Of Stone. The most asked question about military life was: "What movie best depicts what USMC boot camp was really like?" I would have to say by far is "Full Metal Jacket". Except For the recruit shooting his DI and then himself, It was spot on IMO. Of course, that scenario could happen.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2020 1:18 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 13:18:27 -0400

Trailer park boys