Posted on Oct 13, 2014
What ONE incorrectly depicted thing pisses you off most about military movies?
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My question is really no more complicated than that.
For me, it is the rendering of the salute. Hands down. No second place. This pisses me off to no end!
In my opinion, this is THE most important of all military courtesies, and it should always be given with the most possible precision and exacting attention to detail.
FFS! It is something that is taught to every 'cruit in week 1 of basic training! It is perfected throughout training! In a military movie, this should be the EASIEST thing to get right!
It seems to me, that if an actor or actress can spend weeks or months learning hundreds, if not thousands of lines of dialog for a movie, they can at least spend an afternoon or a day, practicing with the advisor (there is ALWAYS an advisor who is a Vet or SM) on the set until they get it right.
I know there are bigger, or more obvious problems with some military movies. Weapons or uniforms or lingo that is anachronistic to the time period of the battle on screen...but DAMMIT, getting the salute wrong in any time period just frosts my shorts!
Usually, it's a fail with what I call the, "I'm shading my eyes from the sun" salute. Your f'n hand doesn't belong on your forehead like you're trying to watch the right fielder shag the fly ball! It belongs where you were TAUGHT to place it!
I find myself commenting out loud to friends, while watching movies that jack this up...they don't seem to understand why it pisses me off so much.
What does it for you?
For me, it is the rendering of the salute. Hands down. No second place. This pisses me off to no end!
In my opinion, this is THE most important of all military courtesies, and it should always be given with the most possible precision and exacting attention to detail.
FFS! It is something that is taught to every 'cruit in week 1 of basic training! It is perfected throughout training! In a military movie, this should be the EASIEST thing to get right!
It seems to me, that if an actor or actress can spend weeks or months learning hundreds, if not thousands of lines of dialog for a movie, they can at least spend an afternoon or a day, practicing with the advisor (there is ALWAYS an advisor who is a Vet or SM) on the set until they get it right.
I know there are bigger, or more obvious problems with some military movies. Weapons or uniforms or lingo that is anachronistic to the time period of the battle on screen...but DAMMIT, getting the salute wrong in any time period just frosts my shorts!
Usually, it's a fail with what I call the, "I'm shading my eyes from the sun" salute. Your f'n hand doesn't belong on your forehead like you're trying to watch the right fielder shag the fly ball! It belongs where you were TAUGHT to place it!
I find myself commenting out loud to friends, while watching movies that jack this up...they don't seem to understand why it pisses me off so much.
What does it for you?
Saluting
Movies
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 264
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It drives me nuts when an Infantry squad/team walks up a ridge line so they can get that neat Hollywood shot of them skylined against a sunset or something.
Rule #1. DON'T SKYLINE!
Rule #1. DON'T SKYLINE!
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SPC Daniel Ebker
LTC Stephen Conway often not even 5 feet apart in movie patrols! Just one pet peeve of mine
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MSgt James Vercher
SPC Brent Wilson - I was in Beirut and this Major came out the the airplane and I didn't salute. He about blew a gasket that we Enlisted Aircrew thought we were above the Rules and Regulations. I stood up Saluted and saying in a loud voice "Sniper Check"
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SMSgt Robert Downie Sr
MSgt James Vercher - it amazes me how field grade officers loose their common sense in combat situations such as saluting! I was deployed to Kuwait twice and the first thing we were told, DO NOT SALUTE!
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The bottomless magazine....or.....artillery round hand grenade. Take your pick.
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MSgt Robert Karcz
I agree with them all...especially firing off a grenade and the victim then gets up and still keeps going. Or in "Platoon" when Sgt Elias (good character) is hit in thechest with two rounds and still keeps running??? Otherwise, the movie is a classic
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LTC Paul Labrador
A general lack of knowledge about firearms in movies kill me. Best example was in "I Am Legend". In the final fight in the house, Will Smith is shooting up zombies with an M4 on full auto. You hear "bang bang bang bang click click click click" when the gun "runs out of ammo". When I heard that, I was like "uhm....that's not how an M4 works. I'm a nurse, and even "I" know that....."
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SSgt Dan Montague
Ah yes. The artillery and gernade explosions. Seems like a grenade has more of an impact and flash explosion than artillery.
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A1C Chris Poole
Ok I’m nitpicking here but this one gets my biscuits burning, when they are in their Class As or Mess dress uniforms and they screw up the ribbons or medals either the order, the correct awards for the period or sometimes even the correct corresponding service.. like I said nitpicking
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SPC Gary Watson
A conflicting term introduced by Hollywood and Military wannabes. In mediocre movies, the phrase is said to acknowledge a response on the radio. In actuality, "Over" means that you have heard the message and expect a reply while "Out" means that you have heard the message but you are ending the conversation.
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Rambo firing a M72 LAW while piloting a Huey through the front window while those he rescued sit behind him.
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CPL Joseph Elinger
SPC (Join to see)
Point taken. We've all served with at least 1 numb nut who, well, really should have brought a responsible Parent or Guardian with them through their tour of duty.
Oye vey!
Point taken. We've all served with at least 1 numb nut who, well, really should have brought a responsible Parent or Guardian with them through their tour of duty.
Oye vey!
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CPL Joseph Elinger
LTC (Join to see) Yet we all probably remember 1 Drill Instructor who we thought COULD do it.
LOL!
LOL!
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CAPT Michael Toleno
I don't recall seeing this error much in the movies and on TV. Now I'll probably notice it in the next few days!
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PFC (Join to see)
MAJ J. Adam Filson
I concur sir it's even worse when it's a show/commerical that's supposed to be geared towards military members or when the lead character is supposed to be past military themselves e.g. NCIS AARP comericals there was a b rated movie called the fifth wave it was about an Alien invasion the "soldiers" that arrived on scene were supposed to be army but were wearing marpat camo with airforce ranks rolling up with an old duece and a half and it was supposed to be todays army
I concur sir it's even worse when it's a show/commerical that's supposed to be geared towards military members or when the lead character is supposed to be past military themselves e.g. NCIS AARP comericals there was a b rated movie called the fifth wave it was about an Alien invasion the "soldiers" that arrived on scene were supposed to be army but were wearing marpat camo with airforce ranks rolling up with an old duece and a half and it was supposed to be todays army
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The uniform discrepancies like when medals & ribbons are out of order or brass is on wrong, etc.
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MSG Louis Alexander
I seen a film last week where a LTC or Major rank was being referred to as Lieutenant. Seen another film last month and a Sergeant E-5 was being referred to as Sergeants Major - go figure. I suppose the 1SG Rank would be General Sergeants Commander?
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CPT (Join to see)
Sir, my understanding is that all movies and commercial imagery must have innacuracies for legal reasons.
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SPC Bobby Coble
SSgt (Join to see) that is a myth. I'd love to know how it got started, but, no, they are not forced to be inaccurate.
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SPC (Join to see)
Military uniform discrepancies bother me the most. Even without paid military consultants, the producers could at least make a little effort to have someone look at the appropriate regulation.
Saluting, disrespect, personal use of government vehicles/property, tyrant officers and NCOs, hair cuts, excessive make-up on women, etc., etc.... My wife keeps reminding me that it is just a movie, but it still bugs the crap out of me.
Military uniform discrepancies bother me the most. Even without paid military consultants, the producers could at least make a little effort to have someone look at the appropriate regulation.
Saluting, disrespect, personal use of government vehicles/property, tyrant officers and NCOs, hair cuts, excessive make-up on women, etc., etc.... My wife keeps reminding me that it is just a movie, but it still bugs the crap out of me.
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Cpl Phil Hsueh
What I'm starting to see now is shows having people in the Army wearing their ACUs with their sleeves rolled up. Even not knowing the regulations a quick Google search will show you that you don't roll the sleeves on the ACU.
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SFC Robert Dimitroff
If I'm not mistaken there has to be at least one discrepancy because they don't represent the military so they are expected to be politically incorrect.
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SFC Familia Gonzalez
I learned something new today. It’s going to be a good day! I too thought it was illegal. AATW! PO3 (Join to see)
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Weapons discipline or lack there-of and the never need to reload magazines.
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SPC (Join to see)
I spend most of my time saying one of two things: 1) Get your finger of the g*d**n trigger! And 2) Aim the stupid thing properly!
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MSG Louis Alexander
How after killing a gazillion of people, how you finally look down at your magazine and proclaim: I’ve only one round left, after passing by numerous weapons with loaded magazines still in the weapon really aggravates me. You never see them carry a magazine bandanna, or collect ammo from an ammo pouch, amazing!
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SPC Eric Rudy
MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
Or the fat Sgt in the final battle scene near the CP in Platoon.
Or the fat Sgt in the final battle scene near the CP in Platoon.
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SPC Eric Rudy
SPC Joseph Falco
Is that the first Gulf War? Had you been Spec Ops in Iraq or Afghanistan it would have been common place.
Is that the first Gulf War? Had you been Spec Ops in Iraq or Afghanistan it would have been common place.
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MGySgt Jerry Suarez
LTC Paul Labrador
LTC. With all respect intended you are Wrong!!!!
Marines are Marines period!!
A soldier is a soldier, an airman is an airman and a sailor is a sailor,
There is no disputing that!
LTC. With all respect intended you are Wrong!!!!
Marines are Marines period!!
A soldier is a soldier, an airman is an airman and a sailor is a sailor,
There is no disputing that!
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SGT (Join to see)
marine recruiter told me marines are the "soldiers of the sea", so get over yourself with that.
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SGT Daniel Rocco Ames
Can we all agree it's just as bad when they call their Sergeant (of any rank) "Sir"?
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