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

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

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

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.

It depends on what aspect of the military you seek.


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

Worked there in 2005.

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!

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