Let's make sure we are giving credit where it is due. We have many fine men and women invested in this war. Every service in our Military and Homeland Security is doing it's part. But there are some who seem to fade into the background.

So I ask: Are the voices of our National Guard soldiers being heard? Are their experiences any less significant than the other services?

The folks at PBS - Frontline, have been working on a video project that brings it all home. It's called Bad Voodoo's War. This project shows you what they see... hear what they hear... and share in their triumph and pain.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/badvoodoo/

Our very own Editor of Military.com (Ward Carroll) will be doing a Podcast interview tomorrow (03 APR 2008) with Deborah Scranton, the Producer fo this PBS Frontline miniseries.

The podcast will be posted here:
http://podcasts.military.com/from_the_editors_desk/index.html

Take a few minutes to listen to it. Take it all in, and then be heard on this subject. Don't let others tell you what's right and wrong on this issue. Once the podcast is up, you can post your comments directly to the podcast page. Let them hear it from you directly!

You can read what others are saying about "Bad Voodoo's War, here:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/badvoodoo/updat...proach.html#comments

You won't be able to "discuss" this issue as easily on their blogg side, because it is 'post comments only'... but you surely can right here, with us, on this very thread.

You can find other Military.com podcasts here:
http://podcasts.military.com/

I saw this on Frontline last night. It was rough to watch.

I watched as well....and understand to some degree what it is like....it can be very tough at times. Kudos to those guys, especially those who've deployed so many times.

I thought the program was very well done.

IS1(SCW)

There is another feature length documentary that has won several awards and does a more complete job, although both it and Voodoo War are good. It is called This is War: Memories of Iraq. The trailer is on You Tube. I have seen it and it is very powerful, follows several ONG 2/162 members through deployment. Non-political but not for anyone that can't take the sights and sounds of war. The VA uses the film for Vet outreach.

I watched it last night as well. Sobering look at the real deal. Outstanding.

Tough to watch, but that PSGT put a few things into words just about right...and the things he DIDN'T put into words, many of us understand quite well.

I applaud any type documentary that can communicate what it feels like to be stuck in the sandbox (or anywhere else) with frustrating ROE and questionable allied/host country support. Your average civilian does NOT understand this...not even a little bit.

I was talking with my Dad and my Uncle about this, and even though the venue is different, and the uniforms are a bit more colorful...apparently some of the core issues haven't changed much from 1968-1972.

Average folks do not understand what it's like to know people, and the families of those people...and then have to raise a 3 second salute for the same people. The comment the kid made about being a new "uncle" back home for his dead buddies kid...I wish I had no CLUE what he was talking about...

...but I do. And so do many other guys. Probably several of you reading this post.

And so should EVERY VOTING AMERICAN CITIZEN. Not to sway their votes one way or the other...but in order to ensure that their political choices are INFORMED ones.

Films like this, and many others, should be MANDATORY viewing before someone is released into the public as a "legal adult".

I could (really) go on and on here for a long A$$ time, so I'll shut up while I'm ahead.

It would be very very hard to watch this and come away thinking "Man, we sure are doing something good over there".....

The futility of the "mission" is just enraging....Especially when that IED goes off just several yards from an Iraqi Checkpoint

The toon sergeant should have wacked those damn hadjis like he wanted too...

Thanks Rob!

I'm glad to see that this program has gotten some notice. It is difficult to watch, but it's the truth in all it's raw nature... and I emphatically agree with both of the posts above. This program should be mandatory viewing, and the toon Sgt should have wacked the bad guys!

As I mentioned before...

Tomorrow, Ward Carroll will be speaking with the producer of the show. I'm interested to see how that turns out... and your reactions to it.

Excellent show. Those guys are from my battalion (184th INF). One of the best docs on the Iraq war I have seen yet. The War Tapes, by the same producer, was also an excellent movie.

Was a good show, but why is it linked to the MODF?

My prayers to those in Bad Voo and safe return and no more going back to Iraq after May 2008.

Semper Fi

Thank you for this information. I will circulate it among my students in the military college programs at two military bases, and even give them credit to watch it. rt

quote:

Originally posted by bigEMarDet77:
Was a good show, but why is it linked to the MODF?

My prayers to those in Bad Voo and safe return and no more going back to Iraq after May 2008.

Semper Fi

I know that this may seem a bit out of place in the service-specific forums; but since this topic is of such great importance, we (the boss and I) thought it best to selectively link it to get the most attention and exposure.

We would like to hear feedback on the show and on the interview from many points of view, and linking this forum is the method of choice.

It was a good show, The Sgt Nunn was a great NCO, the type that the military needs. I imagine having a camera around all the time gets comments that is shown on the show. If the show does show anything, it shows the tightness and bonding of a unit that has to work, live and survive together. In the eyes of a civy, some of the tired and remarks may show despair but it just shows the long hours and stress that our Troops go through, but still go on to do the job very well. Prayers to ya all. S/F

quote:

I know that this may seem a bit out of place in the service-specific forums; but since this topic is of such great importance, we (the boss and I) thought it best to selectively link it to get the most attention and exposure.

Saw it on PBS the other night, nice to see it here. A great program with an important reminder that the grind goes on.

Thanks to my Brother from the East.
A great documentary, and I pray for the safe return of the troops in Bad Voodoo.

Pretty good stuff, gives people an idea what convoy security missions are about.

I want to remind the person who said this makes it hard to feel we are doing something good over there and called it futile, that this was just footage of a convoy security team, its kinda hard to see what is happening to the people of Iraq from the highway at 50mph. Also keep in mind this was a PBS production so it was going to be slanted or it wouldnt have made it on the air.

Good evening

I checked it out on the Military.com forum. Thought it was great footage and heartfelt narrations. I really feel for those poor folks having to do repeated deployments and they suffer miserably out there. Any little creature comforts they can find must feel really good to them.

Did anyone hear the podcast?

What did you think?