observer Posted April 16, 2010 Report Share Posted April 16, 2010 Captures the essence of basic military training during the VietNam period, in a time when Sgt Majors could actually shout (and swear) at recruits. The guy who played the Gunnery Sgt Maj (forgot his name for the minute), was apparently a USMC drill instructor in real life, and it shows in his entertaining portrayal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fugtifino Posted April 16, 2010 Report Share Posted April 16, 2010 Great film, but it's over 20 years old now. Did you do National Service, Obs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted April 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2010 Many "old" films are preferable to some of the c**p being released nowadays. Think you'll find national service ended before the VietNam period; but volunteers still had to put up with being shouted at etc; nowadays they'd probably sue the MOD for damage to their ear drums! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry Posted April 17, 2010 Report Share Posted April 17, 2010 My grandson, now 19, memorized that drill sergeant's rants about 4 years ago -- has the DVD and can play and replay it. Lee Ermey was indeed a USMC drill instructor and added verisimilitude to that Stanley Kubrick drama. Private Joker -- I like you! Hxxx, you can come over to my house and.... I want that (latrine) to be so clean the Virgin Mary herself would be proud to..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fugtifino Posted April 18, 2010 Report Share Posted April 18, 2010 Ah, right. I'll put it another way then: Observer, have you ever served in any of the forces? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted April 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2010 of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fugtifino Posted April 18, 2010 Report Share Posted April 18, 2010 Hmmm, well, that's how a National Serviceman would answer that question: no choice was there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted April 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2010 I chose to volunteer, and found the parade ground antics of NCOs quite amusing and quite similar to the DI in that film - hence the resonance of the movie - brought back a host of memorable anecdotes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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