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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Fury

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

Restrepo (Documentary)

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

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