Synopsis:
CITIZEN SOLDIER is a dramatic feature film, told from the point of view of a group of Soldiers in the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, known since World War II as the “Thunderbirds.” Set in one of the most dangerous parts of Afghanistan at the height of the surge, it is a heart-pounding, heartfelt grunts’ eye-view of the war.
A modern-day Band of Brothers, Citizen Soldier tells the true story of a group of young Soldiers and their life-changing tour of duty in Afghanistan, offering an excruciatingly personal look into modern warfare, brotherhood, and patriotism. Using real footage from multiple cameras, including helmet cams, these Citizen Soldiers give the audience an intimate view into the chaos and horrors of combat and, in the process, display their bravery and valor under the most hellish of conditions.
What We Thought:
Citizen Soldier is a documentary every student in high school and college should be forced to watch. This entitled, words hurt, safe zone, trigger warning generation needs a wake up call and watching these men being shot at, wounded or worse, should be eye-opening to what actually hurts and what people think they deserve.
I was expecting a documentary about soldiers, but didn’t realize it was going to be actual footage of them in Afghanistan being shot at or their convoys being destroyed and all that. You are right in the battle with them climbing up and down mountains, riding in vehicles, watching men get shot. It’s pretty powerful.
I come from a military family. A nephew of mine is currently in the Navy. A friend served in Iraq and Afghanistan so I have all the respect in the world for our men and women in the armed services. The men in this film come from the National Guard.
That means they spend most of their time as citizens. Most have regular jobs. Most have families. They get called in and sent to Afghanistan and their initial time there is peaceful. That all changes and you see the soldier in them come out. That’s the amazing part, these men go from average guys next door to full on soldier. It’s almost like a switch is hit and they are no longer a mailman, but instead are there shooting at the Taliban and saving the lives of those around them.
That’s what this documentary gives you, the realism of the situation. One minute you are the normal person on the street, then your number gets called and you are sent thousands of miles away into mountains you’ve never seen before to kill men who want you dead. You leave your wife, your kids, your friends, your job, your life as a citizen to do a job many take for granted.
These men are family and you see that when they start losing members of their group. They rally together and go through hell together. Then they come home and people expect them to be normal again. This film is devastating and honest. I liked the recap of what they end up doing after coming home.
Citizen Soldier is a brutal look at what our military men and women go through to give us a life we bitch and complain about. The situations these men go through should be honored and respected. I get to sit at a desk all day because of these men and I can never truly thank them enough for that. The film is…
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Bonus Features
- Remembering the 168
- The Day of Days Movie
- Living Tribute
- Oklahoma National Guard at Katrina
- And more…
Recommended If You Like:
- The Hornet’s Nest
- Murph the Protector
The Nerds Templar 