Despite its widespread popularity, there is a ton of behind-the-scenes drama and literary awesomeness in Full Metal Jacket that gets missed. When it comes to pop-culture allure and romanticized brutality, Stanley Kubrick’s “Full Metal Jacket” is arguably the most influential of all Vietnam War movies. R. Lee Ermey’s iconic portrayal of the sadistic Gunnery Sgt….
Category: Military History
Military History: Junior Generalissimos – 9 of History’s Youngest Commanders
“While a 30-something three-star is certainly a rarity in the annals of military history, a number of other legendary leaders assumed the mantle of command at far younger ages. Consider these.” IT’S BEEN SAID THAT WAR IS A YOUNG MAN’S GAME. Need proof? Look no further than James M. Gavin. James Gavin, pictured here before…
World War Two History: The Nazi’s and the A-Bomb
Being a World War Two History buff and also an amateur historian and writer, I am always on the lookout for new books, movies or documentaries on the subject. Recently, Netflix came out with a 6-part Norwegian Mini-Series entitled The Heavy Water War that portrays Nazi Germany’s race to develop Atomic Weapons and the Allies subsequent…
Studies in Warfare: Russia Needs Three Days to Conquer Estonia and Latvia
In the event of an invasion, NATO’s options are ‘all bad’ according to a new study NATO has no way of stopping a Russian conventional invasion of Estonia and Latvia short of nuclear war, according to a new RAND Corporation study. That’s not surprising in itself. Russia has one of the world’s most powerful militaries,…
There’s Nothing Quite Like an Armored Vehicle Race
While watching this try to imagine a fleet of these (including Tanks, APC’s and Amphibs, like 50 or more) attacking at once…the “swarm” tactic is widely used in both Russian and Chinese Military doctrines, and not just with Armored Vehicles, but also with Drones and Attack Aircraft. -SF Russian, Chinese combat vehicles tackle obstacles, explosions, and even…
Humor: 5 Habits Vets Picked up Overseas that are Not Safe For Work (NSFW)
I have a few I wanted to include but this being a PG-13 site at worst, I think I will omit them for now. 🙂 -SF Leave these old routines on the battlefield where they belong. War sucks. But as soldiers, we adapt. We develop habits that increase our chances of survival and make the…
Inspirational: Father Honors Son’s Sacrifice Through Military Service
“We use words like honor, code, loyalty…we use these words as the backbone to a life spent defending something.” –Colonel Nathan R. Jessup, USMC (Jack Nicholson’s character in the movie a Few Good Men) Cmdr. Bill Krissoff joined the Navy Medical Corps to honor his fallen son. First Lt. Nate Krissoff decided that he wanted…
Terminal Lance Creator sais He’s Just Getting Started with White Donkey
For all Veterans out there who served in Iraq, in particular, the Marines, you need to buy this book and read it a couple times. Fantastic is the only word that comes to mind. -SF Terminal Lance creator Max Uriarte talks about his long-awaited graphic novel “White Donkey” with Task & Purpose. “White Donkey,” a…
Soviet History: Coping with Reality, Alcohol in the Gulags
Two weeks ago while speaking to my grandfather, who had just arrived from Moscow for his annual six-month stay stateside, I asked him about the current sanctions ravaging the Russian economy. Sensing the question was too broad, I asked about the price of groceries, about decreasing pensions, and if he had noticed any discontent amongst…
Studies in Terrorism: Hamas The “Merchants of War” Who Seek to Destroy Israel
In the words of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, the tunnels are being dug not only to “defend the Gaza Strip, but to serve as a launching pad to reach all of Palestine.” As one can see from any map of Palestine, “all of Palestine” does not mean living in peace alongside Israel; it means supplanting…