Publicizing our fight

This is our fight. This is the fight of every person who has ever taken the oath as a member of our armed forces.
Today we stand strong, free, and greater than ever because of who we are. Because we are men and women of the United States Marines, Air Force, Army and Navy we are strong.

As a veteran, I see what we have done. I know that every member of each service has in some way been tested in these last 14 years. Now, our story's are beginning to take shape in the public eye. People are not being force fed news anymore. They are seeing what real people saw in combat.

I speak about this because I have watched both Lone Survivor and American Sniper. I know these films are great and tell truly moving stories to the American public. The stories relayed in each of these films comes directly from a book. From the eyes of people who lived it, screen writers try and fit the pieces into a complex film.

I can tell you they are doing it wrong. It's not their fault though.

I don't expect every detail of every military movie to be 100% accurate. If we can get 40% accuracy, that's pretty good. However, this is also hollywood which makes any film scene much more dramatic than it actually was. Also this type of information often leaves out some of the best feel good moments because they won't sell tickets.

I'll give you an example. In the book American Sniper, Chris Kyle mentions how he can tell the difference between Marines and Soldiers. Marines always seem willing and motivated to beat the living shit out of the enemy no matter what the circumstance. With Soldiers, it really depends on which unit you get. As a former soldier, I agree with this. I know the difference between the two units. Having served in a highly motivated unit and a very demotivated unit I know this comparison. However no film maker can put this into production without losing the audience. Telling people here in the states that one service is actually better than the other will rub people the wrong way. It only takes one mistake for thousands of people to wait for a film to show up on DVD. That's the last thing anyone in hollywood will take a risk on.

Hollywood will also not take a risk on a war film closing without big endings. At the end of the movie in Lone Survivor, it appears that the Army, Air Force, and Marines all converge on one area to rescue Marcus Lutrell. In reality, their wasn't an AC 130 in the sky firing magnetic death from above. Also, Army Apache's didn't show up for his rescue. I should also point out that the Apache's in the film were not accurate. Apache's run a 30mm cannon underneath. The sound from the film of the gun is that of a Marine Cobra which is not as bulky.

These kinds of things have to happen, and they must happen often. However with the war's winding down, people are finally getting the after action report from film. For years we tried to get public support for the war. Never killing to many enemies in excess to avoid public lynching, but never leaving enough enemies on the ground to attack American bases whole sale.

Both of these wars have been an ugly war between the media and the American people. It's what happens off the camera that should be on the news. Unfortunately that's not what happens.

So you must understand when viewing the latest war film that you are not getting the truth. You are still getting a feel good moment meant to sell tickets and congratulate actors.

I encourage anyone reading this blog to research the wars. Don't just go to CNN and make your opinion. Research what people say who have been their. People who believe in what we are doing. Then compare them with people who don't agree with them.

For the record, I could care less what country we invade or take over. As a former Soldier, I knew it was my job to support and defend the constitution no matter what. So if that means invading Japan or Australia, I would have done it. The place we go doesn't matter. It's the country we represent that does.