For U.S. Marines who have seen "generation kill"

Question

Is the show "Generation Kill" a realistic and accurate portrayal of the war in Iraq?

Answer 1

Very accurate recounting from a non-rate perspective.  When you're young you don't see the big picture and certainly you tend to exaggerate the perceived incompetence of those above you.

If you can keep that in mind it's a great mini-series through the 3rd episode.

Answer 2

I wouldn't call it completely accurate.  It is an mostly accurate portrayal of 1st Reconnaissance Bn's mission during the war.  They really were given a bunch of crappy vehicles and ordered to act as a mounted recon unit (which is not their normal mission). The show's writers took some artistic liberties with the personalities in the show.  

It is also accurately depicts the crazy c**p you end up talking about when you haven't slept for two days and you are stuck in a HMMWV with the same guys.  You all end up acting a little weird.  

I'm not surprised that a Sgt Maj felt the show wasn't accurate.  Most Sgt Maj's I have served with are not in touch with the junior Marines they serve with, and are usually not very well informed on what is going on in their unit.  A person who would say that the show doesn't depict the Marine Corps forgot what it was like to be a junior Marine and hasn't been around the Marine Corps for a long time.  

Answer 3

I've pretty much given up on it. While some of the dialogue is what you would talk about during the boring times, it is out of context and humorless.

The Officers are portrayed as imbeciles. I have met a few nugget head officers in my time, but nothing as bad as those portrayed in the show. The officers I served with were pretty good and we remain good friends to this day. One thing you have to understand about junior officers is that they are too young to have prior combat experience, so they will make a few mistakes. The officers in the show are just stupid and learn from nothing.

The only accurate portrayals, IMHO, are of Brad the team leader, His lieutenant, his Platoon Sergeant who is seen for 5 seconds per episode, and Godfather the Battalion Commander. But make a TV show about a bunch of guys like this, and it would be a snooze fest from h**l. Brad's driver is an accurate portrayal of a Lance Corporal with an attitude. His role loses it's accuracy because someone isn't telling him to shut his suck every time he says something.

Kind of like that movie "Jarhead", I think it is being viewed from the viewpoint of a shitbird PFC who does not understand the big picture. But this is what sells. If a more accurate story was told, it would not be half as interesting to those who have never lived the life.  

Answer 4

God bless you Lavadog and all the Marines my brother, husband, son, and grand children (4) s***w these people who never served in the USMC or any other branch of the service who make a mockery of any one of them.

McCain in 2008] At least he served.

Answer 5

Here is what the SGT MAJ of the USMC said about that show when asked in a recent interview..

"MCT: Did you watch the new HBO mini-series “Generation Kill”?

Yeah, I did — I didn’t like it. I watched 15 minutes of it, and it did not portray the Marine Corps. I thought it was a slap in the face to the Marine Corps, especially when you’ve got Marines that know that doesn’t portray a unit in the Marine Corps, from the leadership down.

I watched it for 15 minutes, and even my wife watched it with me. My wife said, “This is not the Marine Corps.” She said, “This is not the Marine Corps that I grew up around.”

I said, “No, it’s not.” And I turned it off.

It does not portray the great things that these Marines are doing today. I can tell you all about those things, because we witness it throughout the Marine Corps. One example is the wounded warriors in the hospital. They just want to get back to their unit. They’re not concerned about their wounds.

I can tell you, I’ve been truly blessed to be able to serve with these great Marines that we have in our Marine Corps today, and they continue the legacy of our Marines that came before them.

And that’s another thing: The Marine Corps is all about legacy. They never want to let the last generation down. That’s why they do great things in the Marine Corps today, and they will continue to do it long after I’m gone. Marines will continue the legacy, because that’s the way it is.

Answer 6

A total disgrace!  Actually two Marines from that movie were court-martial'd.  Of all the years I served (and this is recently), it portrayed nothing like it was.  That movie should be illegal for use!