Dear John

[f50lrrp]

My wife and I attended a new movie yesterday named, "Dear John". It was a "chick flick" with the premous that a guy home on leave meets a girl on the beach and from there developes a love affair.

The guy is apparently an 18B sergeant because he wears an EIB.

The movie is believable except there is a scene where the guy is wearing a green uniform shirt with his rank insignia on the ephalets (sp) and the start of the scene he is wearing the rank as intended, then in the next part of the scene he wears the rank upside down, and he finishes the scene with the rank back the proper way.

The next problem with the movie is that the guy is brought back from the sand pile because his father has had a stroke, When he gets to the hospital, his dad is on a guerny in the hallway and reaches out to hold his son's hand. He then reaches out with his other hand and grabs his son's hand. If you have suffered a stroke then you will know that usually you are parallized on at least one side of your body.

[PedOncoDoc]

Originally Posted by f50lrrp

The next problem with the movie is that the guy is brought back from the sand pile because his father has had a stroke, When he gets to the hospital, his dad is on a guerny in the hallway and reaches out to hold his son's hand. He then reaches out with his other hand and grabs his son's hand. If you have suffered a stroke then you will know that usually you are parallized on at least one side of your body.

Not true - depends on the location of the stroke. Could cause focal paralysis to one limb or another, facial drooping, behavioral, speech or balance issues, etc. It also depends on how quickly he got to the hospital and if they could give him TPA (clot buster) and reverse all symptoms prior to permanent damage.

Per your report, what's more surprising is he got home before his father was put in a hospital room if that's what happened.

[thebaffler]

Originally Posted by f50lrrp

The guy is apparently an 18B sergeant because he wears an EIB.

Also, I believe that 18 series MOS soldiers besides the Bravos are authorized wear of the EIB.

[Dozer523]

Originally Posted by thebaffler

Also, I believe that 18 series MOS soldiers besides the Bravos are authorized wear of the EIB.

Candidate must hold primary MOS in CMF 11 (If he holds an 11C MOS must score expert on the 11C Gunner’s test).
or 18B, 18C, 18E, 18F, 18Z, or 18A and 180A.

18D are eligible for the EFMB.

IIRC, In the olden days, Scouts could compete.

[rudy55]

Another uniform disrepency, he was wearing a blue chord and blue discs, also reserved for the 11 series, not 18.

[Requiem]

Here..

[Slantwire]

Originally Posted by Requiem

Here..

You'd think a guy claiming 7th Group (even as support) would get such details right.

[Scimitar]

IIRC the hollyweird’s are required to pop uniform discrepancies into each scene or something along that line. Others can elaborate better...

S

[Joe_Snuffy]

Originally Posted by Scimitar

IIRC the hollyweird’s are required to pop uniform discrepancies into each scene or something along that line. Others can elaborate better...

S

Your post piqued my interest so I looked into it and it is partially correct.

United States Code Title 10 > Subtitle A > Part II > Chapter 45

§ 772. When wearing by persons not on active duty authorized

(f) While portraying a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps, an actor in a theatrical or motion-picture production may wear the uniform of that armed force if the portrayal does not tend to discredit that armed force.

Basically if they aren't portraying the branch in question to be a bunch of inbred apes, they haven't got an excuse.

[Utah Bob]

(f) While portraying a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps, an actor in a theatrical or motion-picture production may wear the uniform of that armed force if the portrayal does not tend to discredit that armed force.

Hmmm. So wearing a pink camo Coast Guard uniform would be okay??

[The Reaper]

Originally Posted by Pinhead

You'd think a guy claiming 7th Group (even as support) would get such details right.

The Service Det Commander/S4 might not.

TR

[Sigaba]

Originally Posted by Scimitar

IIRC the [film industry] is required to pop uniform discrepancies into each scene or something along that line. Others can elaborate better...

I remember hearing a costume designer for The Unit making a similar remark on a BTS vignette. She did not elaborate why the discrepancies were necessary but my inference was that the reason was to avoid trademark infringement.

IMO, it may be a bit much to expect that any technical adviser for a film is going to have enough "pull" to get every detail correct. Then again...(source is here).

Face of Defense: Soldier Shares Knowledge, Experience with Actors

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C., May 16, 2008 – The road to Hollywood is rarely paved with combat boots and camouflage, but a Hollywood of sorts is exactly where one soldier landed.

Army Capt. Gavin McCulley, assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, out of Fort Bragg, N.C., thought he’d use his terminal leave time before permanently separating from the military to start his own business. His choice of locales was Charleston, which happens to be where Lifetime Network’s top-rated “Army Wives” drama is filmed.

His plan, however, has been put on the back burner for the time being after a friend who works on “Army Wives,” introduced him to the show’s producer.

“After a long conversation with the producer [about] all the things that I had seen about the show that I could help them improve, she hired me,” he said.

Now McCulley, who occasionally serves as an extra on the show, spends his days on the set ensuring scenes are as true to life as possible.

He keeps an eye out for misused jargon, breech of military protocols, and especially uniform issues. Improperly worn berets caught more than one viewer’s attention last season.

Those types of details are ingrained in servicemembers who take much of their military knowledge for granted, McCulley said. For civilians, however, it can be completely foreign.

“Even though they’re making their best efforts to try and understand what it is we do and how we do it, there’s ultimately going to be gaps in the ability to read and understand versus what we have [lived],” he said.

The cast and crew have made great strides this season in making the Army life they portray on the show as close as they can to the real thing.

“Everybody’s absolutely committed to making this the most authentic representation of Army life as possible,” McCulley said. “I’ve got to say, I’m really proud of it. I have immense pride in everything that has gone on in all the episodes.

“I can honestly say that they do a very good job of representing our world,” he added.

McCulley is realistic about just how authentic the show can be, however. “It is drama, and it is television, and there is some artistic license,” he said.

Though it worked for him, McCulley said taking the military path to arrive in “Hollywood” isn’t a sure thing.

“If you want to do military advising and you’re in the military right now, I’d say watch these military shows and make a list of what you find wrong and send them in,” he said. “If you’re the type of person who comes up with clear-headed corrections to help make the show better, then they’re more likely to come looking for you and ask you for your advice.”

Viewers can check out McCulley’s handy work when the new season of “Army Wives” begins June 8. The show airs Sundays at 10 p.m. on Lifetime Network.

[Basenshukai]

Originally Posted by The Reaper

The Service Det Commander/S4 might not.

TR

Gavin certainly would get that detail correct. He was a "details oriented" officer whose appearance and bearing was above standard at all times. I've worked with him and knew him very well while he was 3/7's S4. That he was there for those scenes - or was contracted for the entire duration of the film making - is not certain as Gavin own and operates his own business in SC as well (I'll have to ask him when I get a chance- last I saw him was over a year ago and they were just staring to film this movie).

Gavin is absolutely the best S4 that an SF battalion ever saw and the current Group CDR would tell you that. He served with us in combat (AFG) and I literally saw him give his own personal gear to a team guy when that guy's gear got screwed up and there was nothing that guy's size around that day. Gavin also got gear and funds from places most people would not even think to look. We were very fortunate to have him and he absolutely loved the guys. I wish he would have stayed in.

[Team Sergeant]

Let me get this right, you guys are critiquing a hollywood chik flick???? And some of you actually went to see it? Just turn in your "man-card" at the nearest Wal-Mart sporting goods desk.

[Basenshukai]

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

Let me get this right, you guys are critiquing a hollywood chik flick???? And some of you actually went to see it? Just turn in your "man-card" at the nearest Wal-Mart sporting goods desk.

Hey, I didn't see it ... I swear it!