As a soldier, there was a lot that I noticed about how much care they had in researching the Army and how people dressed and acted.
For instance, ranks. A 1st Sergeant introducing himself as Master Sergeant (which, despite being the same pay grade, is a lower rank in the command structure) makes me cringe. A Command Sergeant Major being called "Regimental Sergeant" is also quite bad. Come on, this isn't Great Britain! If you are going to be making a movie depicting the US Army, then the least you can do is a little bit of research. Mixing and blending titles and positions with other armies from around the world doesn't work whatsoever.
Uniforms were also pretty bad. Every single man in the film had a uniform, that I can tell was made in a costume shop, just thrown on without any knowledge of how to wear it. There was even people with a full beard. Following the first World War, Every Soldier, Marine, and Airman (excluding only the Navy because they had their own rules) had to maintain a clean shaven face. The only facial hair allowed was a mustache. They introduced this because a clean shaven face would have a proper seal on a gas mask.
Ceremony and simple discipline. Since when does the colors get hoisted on to the flag pole during the middle of the day? And why were they not playing Reveille? Why were they hoisting it while it was still folded!?!? Why were they turning in their sabers in some sort of rag-tag ceremony and not have time for a proper change of command? The man was retiring as well. There would always be a ceremony for that, at the very least. The US Army is a creature of tradition, and there is tons of books, articles, and other things to do some proper research! And now to discipline... ugh... it is one thing to disagree with your commanding officer, it is a complete disgrace when you yell it at the man's face for every man to hear! If it's an unlawful order, then it is your duty to respectfully disobey. Beyond disobeying the aforementioned order, you hold your tongue unless questioned.
This movie is pretty hard to watch. Having been a Soldier, it is excruciatingly hard to overlook the little things. In order to really sell the story, it needs to be authentic. That includes doing some actual research. It's not hard. Even in the 1990s it was easy. Seriously, a trip to Fort Hood, TX would have helped this a lot. There they have a museum dedicated to the history of the 1st Cavalry Division and even a ceremonial mounted Cavalry Troop dressed in period uniforms. The sources for proper information is endless.
For instance, ranks. A 1st Sergeant introducing himself as Master Sergeant (which, despite being the same pay grade, is a lower rank in the command structure) makes me cringe. A Command Sergeant Major being called "Regimental Sergeant" is also quite bad. Come on, this isn't Great Britain! If you are going to be making a movie depicting the US Army, then the least you can do is a little bit of research. Mixing and blending titles and positions with other armies from around the world doesn't work whatsoever.
Uniforms were also pretty bad. Every single man in the film had a uniform, that I can tell was made in a costume shop, just thrown on without any knowledge of how to wear it. There was even people with a full beard. Following the first World War, Every Soldier, Marine, and Airman (excluding only the Navy because they had their own rules) had to maintain a clean shaven face. The only facial hair allowed was a mustache. They introduced this because a clean shaven face would have a proper seal on a gas mask.
Ceremony and simple discipline. Since when does the colors get hoisted on to the flag pole during the middle of the day? And why were they not playing Reveille? Why were they hoisting it while it was still folded!?!? Why were they turning in their sabers in some sort of rag-tag ceremony and not have time for a proper change of command? The man was retiring as well. There would always be a ceremony for that, at the very least. The US Army is a creature of tradition, and there is tons of books, articles, and other things to do some proper research! And now to discipline... ugh... it is one thing to disagree with your commanding officer, it is a complete disgrace when you yell it at the man's face for every man to hear! If it's an unlawful order, then it is your duty to respectfully disobey. Beyond disobeying the aforementioned order, you hold your tongue unless questioned.
This movie is pretty hard to watch. Having been a Soldier, it is excruciatingly hard to overlook the little things. In order to really sell the story, it needs to be authentic. That includes doing some actual research. It's not hard. Even in the 1990s it was easy. Seriously, a trip to Fort Hood, TX would have helped this a lot. There they have a museum dedicated to the history of the 1st Cavalry Division and even a ceremonial mounted Cavalry Troop dressed in period uniforms. The sources for proper information is endless.