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

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.

Groundhog Day.....

"Full Metal Jacket."

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

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

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.

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.

We were soldiers

“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

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