American Veteran

AMERICAN VETERAN is a four-part documentary series tracing the veteran experience across the arc of American history and exploring the present-day divide between civilian and veteran communities. From the citizen-soldiers returning from the Revolution to today’s warrior class, it is a deeply moving story, illuminating the veteran experience and drawing civilian viewers into an unfamiliar culture.

Hollywood war stories mostly end with the hero’s return. In reality, the road back to civilian life is less certain. For some, there were ticker-tape parades; for others, protests, anger and silence. Some veterans return home full of confidence, while others think, “What am I going to do now?” Hosted by actor Wes Studi, Vietnam War Veteran (National Guard) and Native American (Cherokee) activist.

“Those who went into the service and those who did not, we are two different realities,” a Veteran decides. But Veterans don't all feel the same. Some like “Thank you for your service”; others feel it's “bumper-sticker deep.” Veterans reflecting ask how veterans and civilians can move America forward together. Hosted by J. R. Martinez, Army Veteran, actor, and motivational speaker.

AMERICAN VETERAN is a four-part documentary series tracing the veteran experience across the arc of American history and exploring the present-day divide between civilian and veteran communities. From the citizen-soldiers returning from the Revolution to today’s warrior class, it is a deeply moving story, illuminating the veteran experience and drawing civilian viewers into an unfamiliar culture.

Military life shapes servicemen and women in profound, unexpected ways. Veterans’ stories showcase the raw impact of these experiences: A Coast Guard recruit who helped ferry soldiers on D-Day. A pilot who remotely guided bomber drones over Afghanistan. A Marine who became the first Latina general. Hosted by Senator Tammy Duckworth, Iraq War Veteran (Army) and Purple Heart recipient.

In Basic training (boot camp), recruits follow orders without hesitation, or they won’t make it. To stand out, you’d better excel or you’re in for a lot of pain. It’s often easier to remain anonymous, though this can be challenging, because the day-to-day, and especially the drills, are often emotionally and physically extreme. Recruits are under a microscope and a drill instructor misses nothing.

While in the military, the bonds you create with other service members are powerful and unique. It’s a shared experience that you can only understand if you’ve been through it. Edie Meeks, who was a nurse in Vietnam, says, “Being a veteran is like speaking a different language.” Veterans in this video agree that talking about their service with non-military friends and family is not always easy.

In combat, a heightened level of fear and anxiety becomes the new normal. A Veteran remembers going out on patrols where every step could be a booby-trap or an ambush. A WWII vet describes flying through bursting shells as he bombed Berlin. Hear what it’s like to be in a fire-fight, drive through Iraq getting shot at, stage a rescue while battling 25-foot seas, or fly unmanned aircraft.

There’s a communication divide in this country, between people who serve in the military and those who do not. People without military experience can pick and choose, from the media or politicians, what they want to hear about war, and can leave behind the pieces that are difficult or too uncomfortable. But if civilians could think more critically about the war, wouldn’t it help bridge the gap?

The military has been grappling with how veterans re-enter civilian life for decades. For most veterans, returning to their old lives isn’t easy. Military experience creates a fundamental shift in a person’s psyche. It’s a profound transformation, and there’s no manual for changing a soldier back into a civilian. Watch as veterans discuss some of the challenges they faced coming home.

Basic Training can be dangerous, and recruits are pushed to the edge mentally and physically. Tom Beaudry was not a strong swimmer when he started basic training with the Coast Guard. Army Veteran Courtney Ruhlman had a fear of heights, and Michael Jackson could not complete the extreme runs required in Marine boot camp. How did these vets overcome their own personal challenges, and push through?

Anuradha Bhagwati was extremely proud of her work as a Marine Veteran, training new marines in combat skills. When she was assigned a Lieutenant who began harassing the women in her unit, she took action, but the incidents were swept under the rug. Since then, she has worked tirelessly to change the conversation in the U.S. about sexual discrimination, harassment, and assault in the military.