[mele]

Anyone know anything about the movie "Jarhead" that is being filmed right now? Supposedly its about a USMC STA platoon during Desert Storm. I hope they get some good technical advisors to get the sniping part right....

MEL

 

[Jeffvn]

If its based upon the book of the same name, its not going to be very nice to the USMC or to USMC snipers.
JeffVN

 

[mele]

Yes, I believe it is based on the book. I have not read it, care to fill us in on the premise of the story?

MEL

 

[Jeffvn]

To be honest, I got so irritated by the author's attitude that I could only stomach about 200-250 pages and never finished the book. It was written by a former STA Scout / Sniper that served in Gulf War I. He tells his "exploits" and basically does his best to make himself and all Marine Scout Snipers sound as heartless and bloodthristy as possible. It truly ticked me off.

Jeff

 

[mele]

Crap... and here I was thinking we might "finally" get a good sniper movie. I'd have to say that I'm not sure I've met any blood thirst snipers.... for the most part we all seem to be professional about it.... at least thats my experience.

MEL

 

[AK]

Crap... and here I was thinking we might "finally" get a good sniper movie. I'd have to say that I'm not sure I've met any blood thirst snipers.... for the most part we all seem to be professional about it.... at least thats my experience.

I'll second that. It's hard enough for the Government to understand the need for snipers while trying to deal with this idiot notion that they're all bloodthirsty killers of women and children.

 

[westpointranger]

Why hasn't anyone made a movie about Carlos Hathcock?

 

[Scatch Maroo]

Why hasn't anyone made a movie about Carlos Hathcock?

Probably because a realistic depiction of his career wouldn't sell very many tickets, and his family (or him, if he is still alive) refuse consent of using his name for trumped-up Hollywood dreb.

Just my guess.

Scatch Maroo

 

[Shoe]

The book was an interesting read for me, as I've never been in the military myself. It was somewhat true to a roommate of mine who was in the corps, who said "it combines the aspects of a fraternity and a gang."

The author's premise is that he basically hated being a marine, even though he was there by choice. Beyond that, everybody walked around with a very cynical "i'd rather not be here" frame of mind.

**Spoiler Alert**

To finish it out, it's more a book about how he came to be a marine and his experiences while in the corps, rather then a strong dialog about the job of a sniper or a diary of his combat experience. In fact, according to the author, he makes it through all of Desert Shield/Storm without ever firing his M40.