Let’s get to the important stuff in life: War Movies!
First, I don’t want to hear it. I’m right, you’re wrong, and that’s the end of it! Tell
to pound sand! He knows where to find me if he wants to duke it out!Just kidding. This list is subjective, but I specifically picked some documentaries, a foreign film, and a good old-fashioned ass-kickn’ American war movie!
Mosul - I will die on this hill. I get it. It’s in Arabic, so you have to read the subtitles. Nevertheless, if you can endure such things, you will be treated to some incredible action sequences, a compelling storyline, and the true gritty reality that was America’s Third Iraq War: Iraq’s War against the Islamic State. The movie follows a motley crew of Iraqi SWAT team members as they exact revenge on these Mofos!
Tell Spring Not to Come This Next Year - Every time some moron tells me the Afghans didn’t fight, I always ask if they’ve seen this incredible documentary. Please, do yourself a solid, and give this documentary a chance. You will see the war through our Afghan brothers’ eyes - something far too few Americans ever bothered to understand.
Korengal—Both Korengal and Restrepo (#4) follow the same group of men in one of the most kinetic valleys in Afghanistan. I find the sequel to be superior, but if you want to understand what this fight was like, specifically in eastern Afghanistan, you cannot go wrong with this incredible documentary.
Restrepo - I remember watching this the first time and breaking down multiple times. When the Taliban killed Restrepo, I had to stop the movie and give myself time. It was all too familiar. It is a gripping documentary that shows American soldiers' courage and our strategy's many follies.
American Sniper—I like this movie for so many reasons. First, it’s very realistic. Second, it reminds me why I’m happy I never spent much time in Anbar. Third, in the end, they smoke the sniper, which is based on Juba the Sniper, who killed my turret gunner, A1C Leebernard Chavis, in 2006. Fourth, USA, USA, USA.
PS - Who remembers this movie being canceled? LOL. Great idea!
What did I leave out? Keep the comments civil!
The Weekly Wrap
Hosna Jalil on Afghanistan
Grumpy Combat Veteran had a great episode with Jason Howk and Hosna Jalil of Global Friends of Afghanistan. It’s one of our best episodes yet. We discuss the state of Afghan women and the Afghan National Security Forces.
A Path Forward for Afghanistan
(GCV Note: It is my great honor to publish LTG Haibutallah Alizai’s essay on a path forward in Afghanistan)
Afghan Soldier Day with LTG Alizai
Lieutenant General Haibatullah Alizai, the last Chief of General Staff for the Afghan National Army, stops by the studio to discuss Soldier Day, the Vienna Conference, and Ramadan.
The Bataan Memorial Death March
On 22 March, a motley crew of active duty Air Force intelligence professionals and a bunch of Grumpy Combat Veteran(…
Recent Arrests of 2 Servicemembers Highlights China's Reach
Over the weekend, the Department of Justice announced the arrests of two active-duty service members and a veteran at JBLM for passing sensitive military information to the People’s Republic of China. Lt Ti Tian and Sgt Jian Zho were stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Ruoyu Duan, who served four years in the Army, was also arrested. All three men we…
The Afghan Female Tactical Platoons
Grumpy Combat Veteran is joined by his old Senior Non-Commissioned Officer, James. The dynamic duo speaks with Rebekah Edmondson of NXT Mission, who also leads our Moral Injury Support Group, which provides free monthly support to active-duty servicemembers and veterans.
Why You Won't Have Daddy's Last Name Anymore
(GCV Note: Letters to My Princess General is for paid subscribers. You can find the newsletter here)
Our Friends
The Bataan Memorial Death March
I’ll be on the road for the next few weeks. I’ll be in KC to see my beautiful princess general, then off to New Mexico for the Bataan Memorial Death March. It should be quite a journey! We might not have as much content, but be prepared for some videos from the race!
American Sniper would be my favorite but they got a few things wrong.
Not technically a GWOT movie, the 2005 Russian film "9th Company" is about their Afghanistan debacle. IMHO it's quite well done & provides interesting insight into how the Russian military establishment operated back in the '80s. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0417397/