- 3 months ago
US Army: Inside the Most Powerful Military in History | Full Documentary
Go inside the world’s most powerful fighting force in this deep-dive documentary. We explore the massive scale of the US Army, from its $700 billion budget and 1.5 million soldiers to the ruthless training that turns recruits into elite warriors.
Witness the intensity of basic combat training at Fort Jackson, the grueling "Best Ranger" competition at Fort Benning, and the high-stakes lifestyle of military families. We also look at the specialized units like the Golden Knights parachute team and the Missouri Military Academy where discipline starts from a young age. Beyond the battlefield, we examine the transition to civilian life, highlighting both the successful veteran entrepreneurs and those battling the psychological scars of war.
In this documentary:
Training & Recruitment: See how 150,000 new recruits are transformed each year [05:18].
Elite Forces: Inside the 3-day "Best Ranger" competition for the Army’s top fighters [24:56].
Military Life: The perks and pressures of living on a US military base [11:18].
The Veteran Experience: Stories of million-dollar businesses and the fight against PTSD [46:26].
SEO Tags
US Army, US Military, Military Documentary, US Army Documentary, Army Training, Basic Training, Fort Jackson, Fort Benning, US Rangers, Special Forces, Elite Soldiers, US Army Recruitment, Golden Knights, Military Discipline, Veteran Stories, Military History, Most Powerful Army, US Defense Budget, Pentagon, Combat Training, Military Documentary 2024, ENDEVR.
Go inside the world’s most powerful fighting force in this deep-dive documentary. We explore the massive scale of the US Army, from its $700 billion budget and 1.5 million soldiers to the ruthless training that turns recruits into elite warriors.
Witness the intensity of basic combat training at Fort Jackson, the grueling "Best Ranger" competition at Fort Benning, and the high-stakes lifestyle of military families. We also look at the specialized units like the Golden Knights parachute team and the Missouri Military Academy where discipline starts from a young age. Beyond the battlefield, we examine the transition to civilian life, highlighting both the successful veteran entrepreneurs and those battling the psychological scars of war.
In this documentary:
Training & Recruitment: See how 150,000 new recruits are transformed each year [05:18].
Elite Forces: Inside the 3-day "Best Ranger" competition for the Army’s top fighters [24:56].
Military Life: The perks and pressures of living on a US military base [11:18].
The Veteran Experience: Stories of million-dollar businesses and the fight against PTSD [46:26].
SEO Tags
US Army, US Military, Military Documentary, US Army Documentary, Army Training, Basic Training, Fort Jackson, Fort Benning, US Rangers, Special Forces, Elite Soldiers, US Army Recruitment, Golden Knights, Military Discipline, Veteran Stories, Military History, Most Powerful Army, US Defense Budget, Pentagon, Combat Training, Military Documentary 2024, ENDEVR.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:04Disaster has just hit a small American town, houses destroyed and a whole neighborhood flooded.
00:10The army was deployed in an emergency.
00:17This is the West Army. We are here to help. Talk to the sound of my voice.
00:23This way, this way.
00:30Hundreds are injured, some are in serious condition.
00:32All right. One, two, three.
00:36This disaster scenario is actually a large military exercise simulating a nuclear attack.
00:42The structure is unstable, so they'll have to stabilize it with a raker before they can get it down.
00:48Specialized units attempt to find mannequins in a radiation-contaminated area.
00:54Make sure he gets it back here, we got more rescue.
00:58Good job, guys.
00:59In this Indiana base, the US Army has recreated a 400-hectare model city where 2,500 soldiers gather each
01:08year for training.
01:09It's made to be as realistic as possible, including this fake parking lot that collapsed along with dozens of cars.
01:16At the on-site hospital, the army even recruited hundreds of extras to play the role of victims who have
01:23been exposed to radiation.
01:24I need some water.
01:27Oh, this is scary. I don't know where we're doing. Where's my kids?
01:30They're all medics. They're here to help you, ma'am.
01:32Traumatized by the past attacks on their territory...
01:34I don't want to die! I don't want to die!
01:38The US military wants to show that it's ready for any eventuality.
01:43Homeland response is one of our main priorities.
01:46So we do have specialized units that are on no later than a 60-minute rapid deployment notification
01:53to get from the call to the unit and get ready to go somewhere else in the United States.
02:00The most powerful military in the world.
02:03Close to 1.5 million soldiers and a colossal budget of $700 billion.
02:10A presence on all continents.
02:16From Iraq to Korea.
02:18From Italy to Australia.
02:23America's instrument of power.
02:25And the country's last resort in case of natural disasters.
02:29Yet, the world's largest army has got itself into trouble in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.
02:37In this deeply patriotic country, soldiers are considered heroes.
02:42The best military in the world and the best country in the world.
02:45Each state has its regiment, its port or its military airfield.
02:49We were able to gain exceptional access into three of their bases, for several weeks.
02:55We followed the ruthless training of the soldiers.
03:01Training, let's go!
03:02I got other people that gotta get off this damn wall.
03:04Hurry up and get off my wall!
03:05Under constant pressure from drill sergeants.
03:08This isn't a game.
03:09You're America's future fighting force.
03:11If you treat it like anything else, you're going to be obsolete to this organization.
03:17In America, Special Forces soldiers are living legends.
03:21The best ranger competition collects the best of the best in a grueling series of trials.
03:28It's a marathon.
03:30Just maintain a steady pace throughout the whole thing and try not to do bad in anything.
03:36Every year, the army recruits 150,000 young men and women.
03:41The Golden Knights parachute team plays a part in inspiring them.
03:46That's it!
03:47We can hear the crowd at about 1500 feet and that noise never gets old.
03:52The military also inspires parents.
03:56Thousands of American children live in military boarding schools where discipline is relentless.
04:01So what's all this stuff?
04:02No excuses.
04:03No excuses?
04:04Yeah.
04:06Company leadership, what are we going to do about this?
04:09We will go to meet America's former soldiers.
04:12Some have become wealthy, but many are suffering from psychological trauma.
04:17We sacrifice a lot, you know?
04:20We're not asking for a huge parade every day, you know what I mean?
04:25We just want to be treated with respect.
04:27Every year, they drive their motorcycles to Washington to show their cause.
04:31Paratroopers, paratroopers, millionaire veterans, and extreme hardship.
04:35An exploration into military America.
04:47The Carolinas in the south of the United States.
04:51Their wide, sandy beaches.
04:54Military bases where young American recruits come to prove themselves.
04:59There are 35 barracks here.
05:02150,000 soldiers and their families who have brought life back to entire cities.
05:10Like in Columbia, the capital of South Carolina, where the largest U.S. Army training center is located.
05:17At the airport, 700 new recruits arrive every week.
05:21Most of them come from southern states, such as California, Texas, or Florida.
05:31They are mostly men from the American middle class.
05:35This afternoon, 50 young people are getting ready to wear their uniform for the first time.
05:40As soon as they arrive, they are immediately put in line.
05:46I am the drill sergeant in charge of the airport.
05:49The last words out of your mouth will be drill sergeant, yes?
05:52Yes, drill sergeant.
05:54If you have any rings, watches, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, everything else including your watch needs to be secured inside your
06:01bags.
06:01Do it now.
06:03They are barely 20 years old.
06:05Most of them have never lived away from their parents.
06:09This young man traveled 900 miles from his home state of Ohio.
06:14You are going to contact your family.
06:16It will be a very quick phone call.
06:18Once you complete your phone call, you are going to turn your phone completely off.
06:22Then secure it inside your bags, yes?
06:24Yes, sir.
06:25Do it now.
06:29Hey, Dad.
06:30I am just calling in.
06:31Hey, this is the call, Dad.
06:32Yep, I don't think I can have too long of a conversation.
06:36I can't do too long of a conversation.
06:37I will talk to you guys later.
06:40I will talk to you, Dad.
06:41I will talk to you, Dad.
06:42I will talk to you, Dad.
06:43A quick goodbye.
06:45This young man is not very reassured by the difficult training ahead.
06:50Obviously, I'm a bit nervous, but I feel like I can, if I just listen to what they're saying,
06:58and I don't let my mind overwork me, then I'll be okay.
07:04In this very patriotic town, residents have come to cheer on America's future heroes.
07:10Good luck, everybody.
07:12Have fun.
07:13The U.S. Army's newest recruits head to Fort Jackson.
07:17In this base, 50,000 young people are transformed into fighters every year.
07:30Make sure that the straps don't get twisted.
07:34As soon as they arrive, they are put to training, 12 hours a day.
07:38All right, next training.
07:39Let's go.
07:41Colonel Evans is in charge of the training.
07:45From the first week…
07:46Are you nervous?
07:47…he puts the recruits under pressure.
07:49No, sir.
07:49No, sir.
07:50No, sir.
07:50Good, good.
07:51That's the correct response I expect for soldiers.
07:54This is just the first step of a voyage that's going to last you for the rest of your life.
07:58So continue to focus on those fundamentals.
08:00That's going to make you a better soldier.
08:02And because of that, we're going to be better for it as an army, okay?
08:05Yes.
08:06Proud of you guys.
08:07Take your hips.
08:08Today's the first time young soldiers are introduced to recall.
08:12And in the U.S., the training is especially tough.
08:18Training, let's go.
08:19I got other people that got to get off this damn wall.
08:21Hurry up and get off my wall.
08:22Let's go.
08:23Drill sergeants constantly yell at the recruits to put them under stress.
08:28Danny, put your guy hand back on the rope.
08:31Up at 4 a.m., they're exhausted, and no mistake is forgiven.
08:38440.
08:41I promise you, if you continue in this business, this will not be your worst step.
08:45Go.
08:46Go.
08:48Next event, the rope's course.
08:51Nothing too strenuous.
08:52It resembles an acrobatic park more than a commando event.
08:56But some of them are frozen in fear.
08:59Don't stop.
08:59You're going to lose your balance.
09:02Oh, my God.
09:03Come on.
09:03Don't swing your leg.
09:05Don't get all shaky.
09:07This is probably one of the scarier events for the trainees,
09:10just because of the fact that they're facing down,
09:13and they're looking straight at the ground,
09:14and it's just one of the fear factor.
09:17If they can accomplish this, there's nothing they can't do here
09:19in basic combat training.
09:22Obviously, not everyone here is used to these kinds of physical exercises.
09:32The world's largest military isn't resistant to the obesity epidemic
09:36that is plaguing America.
09:38Nearly one in five soldiers is considered obese.
09:41All right.
09:41Tuck, tuck.
09:42All right.
09:43Roll all the way down.
09:44Roll over your face.
09:45Roll over your face.
09:46The reason the army is able to turn these inexperienced youths into real soldiers
09:51is thanks to expert combat teachers.
09:55Sergeant David Castillo is a respected firearms instructor.
09:59He fought in Iraq and Afghanistan.
10:05Let's go.
10:09Now build a rhythm.
10:10Go faster.
10:13There you go.
10:14A war machine uncompromising on discipline.
10:20Hey, put your mask off.
10:22As he knows that some young people will be going to the front line in a few months,
10:27and that their lives are at stake.
10:30Hey, stop.
10:31Kids, stop.
10:32You're America's future fighting force.
10:35That's what you're building upon right now.
10:37If you treat it like anything else, you're going to be obsolete to this organization.
10:42This isn't a game.
10:43You understand me?
10:44Yes, sir.
10:45All right, kids.
10:46Rough training.
10:47But once their contract is signed, the army offers these soldiers very comfortable living conditions.
10:59Hey, sweetie.
11:01Hey.
11:01Hey, we're on the way, okay?
11:04We're okay.
11:05David and his family live on the base, a close city of 20,000 hectares,
11:11in which 3,000 inhabitants enjoy a comfort worthy of a vacation residence.
11:17There's a water park here on Post.
11:20There's a full golf course.
11:21There's a bowling alley, a movie theater.
11:24So everything that a military family would want to do, they have access to it here on Fort Jackson, which
11:32is nice.
11:33David doesn't have a reason to leave the base.
11:36He can go shopping, go out to restaurants or bars, go to church or the hospital.
11:44The army even has its own emergency service.
11:48This is the senior military housing billets here.
11:53Every dependent that you have will have their own room, and they all have two car garages.
12:01David earns almost $4,000 a month, and the rent of his grand house is entirely paid for by the
12:07army.
12:08On a daily basis, the sergeant has almost no expenses.
12:12I don't pay any bills.
12:14Yeah, so I don't pay a water bill.
12:16I don't pay an electric bill.
12:17I don't pay anything.
12:19The gas, nothing.
12:20It's all a part of this house.
12:22Every week, the lawns, and especially this Terence, it's maintained.
12:28And then they even bolt around the house to give it some aesthetics.
12:33The reason the US Army is so generous with David and his wife, Brittany, is that it requires them to
12:40be available at any given moment.
12:43Every two and a half years, they must move to the other side of the country.
12:46This is a way for the army to diversify the training of its soldiers, but also to prevent them from
12:53becoming too attached to their regiment and their comrades.
12:57Each of the three children were born in a different state, and David has sometimes left without returning for over
13:04a year.
13:04So when we first had Addison, that was what, like nine, ten month deployment?
13:10Addison was born in Italy, and two weeks later, I deployed to Afghanistan for nine months.
13:15So I left my wife and newborn child in another country.
13:21Much longer missions than for French soldiers and constant moves.
13:25So to avoid disrupting her children's lives too much, Brittany decided to homeschool them rather than send them to the
13:32base school.
13:35Okay, we have human, happen, and reason.
13:41So it can be hard on the kids because they're constantly, you know, having to go to new places and
13:48new schools.
13:49And I thought it might just be easier to try it.
13:53The family just found out that they must move again.
13:56In a few months, they will be moving to Hawaii, 7,000 kilometers away.
14:01Once again, the army has planned everything.
14:04David will not have to pack a single box.
14:11But one good thing about it is the army is going to hire a company.
14:14They're going to come in here. I don't have to lift a finger.
14:17They're going to pack and wrap everything.
14:20And once I get there, they're going to pack it for me in my new house.
14:26Despite these comfortable conditions, one in six soldiers leaves for the private sector each year.
14:32For those who retire, the army has 150,000 positions to replace.
14:37So the institution is constantly looking to recruit.
14:41And to wow the young recruits, the Pentagon doesn't hesitate to show off.
14:49In this hidden corner of Louisiana, the army flaunt its power.
14:53The Blue Angels are in full swing.
15:10An American style show where an aerobatic plane races a truck pelting at full speed.
15:16But above all, it's a staged recruitment operation by the U.S. Army.
15:21Away from the crowd, the team of acrobatic parachutists rehearses their show one last time.
15:37The Golden Knights are all parachutists for the army.
15:40They are about to deliver a spectacular performance, 4,000 meters in the air.
15:50That's just the smoke, so you can actually see us in the sky while we're freefall.
15:55It makes it just easier for the audience to see us.
15:59They don't aim to be visible simply for the spectacular show of skydiving.
16:04The Golden Knights are part of the U.S. Army Recruiting Directorate.
16:10Our goal is to get people to join the army, serve their country and be a part of the best
16:16team in the world.
16:18This morning, the team can't afford any mistakes.
16:21This is the anniversary of D-Day, when many American paratroopers landed on Normandy.
16:29So remember all those that came before us and what they did for us, alright?
16:35Let's end the weak and strong, yeah?
16:39Shhhhhh!
16:39Outta gold, into the black, once you're there, never go back.
16:42Ooh!
16:43The Golden Knights!
16:47The parachutists must land at this very spot, right in front of the crowd.
16:52A performance from a moving plane.
17:00The eight soldiers jump, then join together in the sky with their smoke bombs.
17:09At 900 metres from the ground, they trigger the parachutes and perform a series of figures.
17:22To the sound of the national anthem, Captain Nick lands first with the American flag right on target.
17:29The Golden Knights receive a hero's welcome.
17:31One, two, three, one, four.
17:36All right!
17:38And we, the Golden Knights in free form.
17:41He is the team leader for the black demonstration team.
17:44Oh, it's wonderful.
17:45We can hear the crowd at about 1,500 feet and that noise never gets old.
17:51Nick and his colleagues go to enjoy the crowd.
17:54Is that all right?
17:55Good luck!
17:56Yeah, thanks!
17:58Thank you!
17:59Yeah, that was a great service, guys!
18:01Good job!
18:02Thank you for your service!
18:03Thank you!
18:04We're just the face of the army.
18:06Everybody else, I mean, the army's full of heroes.
18:08We're just the ones who get to come out here.
18:10How'd we do?
18:12Barely on the ground, the parachutists turn into recruiters.
18:17You've almost got it.
18:18You've almost got it.
18:19Here, I'll give you a little...
18:20They teach the children how to pack a parachute.
18:24We're going to slide our hands up as we walk toward the parachute.
18:27Their goal, to inspire younger kids to one day become a parachutist.
18:31The Golden Knights are my favourite!
18:36Carson, 16, seems convinced.
18:39So, with this job, you travel a lot.
18:41Yes, you get to travel quite a lot.
18:43So, you relocate sometimes, you know.
18:46Usually, it's like every three to four years.
18:49But also, job depending.
18:51I don't know if you have already talked to the recruit.
18:53Have you seen the recruiters and stuff like that?
18:54Have you done that?
18:55I haven't.
18:56I've seen them at my school, though.
18:58They usually come to high schools.
19:00Do they?
19:01Carson is passionate about aviation.
19:04After meeting the Golden Knights, he seems ready to take the plunge.
19:08I feel like they're just so cool.
19:11It's like, I want to be, I want to be them.
19:14Or work for my country.
19:16And I love my country, so.
19:19Carson will have to wait until he turns 17, the minimum age requirement, before joining the army.
19:25You guys want a brochure?
19:28To recruit thousands of boys and girls each year, the Pentagon has a huge budget of over a billion dollars.
19:40It's the will to fight and determination to win.
19:48The money invested into these clips that resemble blockbuster films.
19:53To appeal to young people, they are increasingly aiming to look like video games.
19:59In poor southern states, like here in Louisiana, the army also deploys hundreds of recruiters.
20:06In America, where inequalities are high, they promise attractive benefits to the underprivileged youth.
20:13This morning, Owen and Carter, 18, have an appointment at a recruitment center.
20:22Carter?
20:23Hi.
20:24Let's just have a seat and we can talk a little bit about this.
20:26A few months ago, the two teenagers were approached by Sergeant Williams at their high school.
20:32As long as you're under 35, have a high school diploma and pass the tests, anyone can join.
20:39Have you guys done any research? You know anything about the army at all?
20:42Special Forces. All the cool, cool guys over there.
20:45Gotcha. So you want to combat.
20:47Yeah, you combat. Exactly.
20:49See, we have roughly over 150 jobs you can choose from.
20:52You don't have to have an, you know, HR background. We're going to teach you everything.
20:56To convince them to sign up, the sergeant will tell them very little about their future job.
21:02His main argument is all the social benefits that the army can offer them.
21:06You know, how many of your friends you can go back to?
21:07You're not paying for medical and dental. The army is going to take care of that.
21:11We're going to give you housing. Sorry, we talked about housing. You get meals.
21:14You guys are going to definitely get education benefits available.
21:17We have your tuition assistance. It's roughly, roughly about $4,000 a year for school.
21:21So like myself, the army helped pay for my degree.
21:24In a country where health insurance can cost up to $800 per month and $50,000 per year to go
21:31to university, these promises immediately hit home.
21:36Owen's plan is to go to college. The army will pay for it on the condition that he enlists for
21:42six years.
21:43And could you afford like five years of college right now?
21:46No, not right now. Not right now at all. I'm really excited for the educational benefits because it will give
21:52me a chance to further my education.
21:54I haven't decided what I want to do yet, but I've thought about going into teaching.
21:59And for the most exposed units, the army offers a $34,000 bonus. Again, under the serious condition that they
22:08will become an infantry fighter.
22:10Once they complete basic training, their job training, that $40,000 or so is in their bank account.
22:16So where do I sign?
22:17Right.
22:18Aren't you scared of dying or taking a jury to work?
22:21I am, but at the same time, it's like, I mean, it's for the country.
22:27So, and I don't want my family doing it. I want all of me.
22:32By the end of the interview, both teams decided to enlist.
22:37It was a pleasure meeting you.
22:38Yes, sir.
22:40By joining the infantry, they can earn up to $42,000 a year.
22:46The military career is a way out of poverty that continues to entice new recruits, especially women.
22:52They represent 16% of the workforce, one of the highest rates in the world.
22:58This single mother is reluctant to enlist. She's worried about going on a mission away from her baby.
23:06After I, I won't like, you know, have to go anywhere, so I have to do it or nothing.
23:11So, you're talking about like a deployment and stuff like that.
23:14They let you know way in advance. Like, he knew he was going to Africa way in advance.
23:18It's going to suck, I'm not going to lie to you, you know, being away from your child, of course.
23:21But at the end of the day, you kind of know, I'm doing this for a bigger cause, you know.
23:26And even single fathers, they kind of come in and they're starting looking at different opportunities.
23:30Because again, they look at the benefit, how this not only going to benefit myself, but, you know, be able
23:35to provide for my child as well.
23:36So, it definitely helps out.
23:39In this office alone, 100 women and men sign up each year.
23:43Many have hopes of joining the special forces, famous for their daring operations and unusual standards.
23:50In particular, the Rangers, an elite unit of only 3,500 members.
24:01In a small town in Georgia, two soldiers enjoy their last moments with their families.
24:13Joshua, 36, and Ryan, 31, are about to take part in one of the most difficult tests of their lives.
24:21Daniel, turn around. Turn around, bud.
24:25Coming up, we've got the best ranger competition that we're going to be doing.
24:29And Ryan here is my partner. We're going to be partners on a team.
24:33And our lucky number, if you will, is 42.
24:37So, you've got running, ruck march, shooting, swimming, repelling, obstacle courses, you know, the whole plethora.
24:51The best ranger competition. Three days without sleep. The best fighters of the American army compete.
25:02Tonight, Joshua and Ryan are taking a break after months of intensive training and dieting.
25:07Okay.
25:09Because that's what the competition will have. It's going to be covering many, many, many miles.
25:14So, that's what it basically boils down to. Getting as many miles packed into one week.
25:20How many miles?
25:21Um, capped out at like 80, 85.
25:24A week?
25:25In a week, yeah.
25:27But there's no other competition that compares to the best ranger.
25:30Just the amount of stuff that people, that the competitors are asked to do.
25:36Physically, physically and skills wise.
25:39These two soldiers have endured strenuous combat in the mountains of Afghanistan.
25:44The challenge that awaits them will put them to the test.
25:52It's 4.30 a.m. at the Fort Benning base.
25:55Hundreds of relatives are already there to encourage the candidates.
25:59In a jovial atmosphere.
26:04This year, we have 51 total teams.
26:10Joshua and Ryan got up at 2 in the morning.
26:15Team 42.
26:16Sergeant First Class Peterson and Sergeant First Class Van Hoorn.
26:23Each of the elite units sent their best and brightest to compete against each other.
26:28The first event, 10 kilometers in combat gear, just to warm up.
26:37Now is where it gets difficult for Joshua and Ryan, with the dreaded obstacle course.
26:42At the beginning, the two teammates look pretty confident.
26:55Joshua and Ryan get through the first obstacles with ease.
26:59But as they cross the gap, Ryan feels his strength falter.
27:04He gets a second try.
27:09He gets a second try.
27:13He's got it, dude.
27:14He's taken off.
27:15Go, go, go.
27:15Go.
27:15Go figure.
27:18There you go, bro.
27:19There you go.
27:20Got it.
27:27All good.
27:27Shake it off, brother.
27:28All good.
27:31After this setback, both soldiers must start the competition.
27:35at the bottom of the overall ranking.
27:37Ryan counts on making up for it at the shooting event.
27:43This special operations fighter is an expert in close combat,
27:47shooting with an assault rifle or shotgun.
27:50It's almost like a fitness circuit.
28:02Go!
28:04The team must then storm this enemy building in a minimum time.
28:10The descent is more complex than the ascent.
28:15You got it, you got it.
28:18Both partners finish first in this event.
28:23It's a tiebreaker.
28:24Okay.
28:26For them, hope has returned.
28:28You fucking crush it.
28:3011.
28:34Shooting with a sniper rifle, leading the rescue of a wounded pilot in an enemy zone.
28:41Still good, hold it.
28:44Blow up an enemy position with a grenade or a rocket launcher.
28:52The competition reflects the unique skills of the Rangers, the elite of the U.S. Army.
28:58Fighters who, like Ryan, are always the first to land in hostile terrain.
29:08I wanted to be part of a unit that was, you know, kind of the tip of the spear.
29:13They get to do things that other units don't get to do.
29:16They have capabilities other units don't have.
29:19And you really get the opportunity to make a difference in any situation that pops up worldwide.
29:26Because they're going to be one of the first units that gets called on to go handle a situation.
29:32Recently, the Rangers made a spectacular show of skill by participating in Syria in the elimination of terrorist al-Baghdadi,
29:41the leader of ISIS.
29:42An operation that made America proud.
29:47Last night, the United States brought the world's number one terrorist leader to justice.
30:01The Rangers' first day of competition ends.
30:04Joshua and Ryan's wives will finally get to hug their husbands briefly.
30:11There it is!
30:12Oh, yeah!
30:16The kids are also eager to see their dads, who arrive in style, in a helicopter assault, at the end
30:24of a rope.
30:34Yes, it's you!
30:35I see Daddy!
30:36I see another 40.
30:38Hi, Daddy!
30:39Hey, hey!
30:40So, you were going in the helicopter?
30:41Yeah!
30:42Is it fun?
30:43Yeah, Daddy!
30:46When did you do that?
30:49The two are different.
30:52The next few hours are crucial.
30:55As, at the end of this first day, the jury will eliminate half of the teams.
31:01Come on, come on, come on.
31:02They encounter a problem.
31:03The endurance challenge.
31:05Ryan and Joshua experience fatigue and delays.
31:08They arrive amongst the last, and they're not really in the mood to talk to us anymore.
31:21In the provisional ranking, the team is 31st, below the elimination bar.
31:30We need three more spots tonight.
31:35We've got to cruise on the ruck, hack some teams off.
31:41Despite their optimism, by the end of the last race of the day, both soldiers are taken out of the
31:47competition.
31:48The next day, Joshua comes to encourage his comrades at the finish line.
31:55Looking good boys, looking good!
31:58In three days, these soldiers will have covered 112 kilometers and triumphed in about 20 events.
32:05These images of the special forces are a part of the American dream for many.
32:10Some parents would like to see their children become a general or chief of staff of the army.
32:15To give them every chance of reaching the top of the military hierarchy, these families don't hesitate to prepare them
32:23from an early age.
32:32In Missouri, a conservative state in the center of rural America.
32:38For 130 years, young boys have ended each day with the sound of a bugle, meticulous ceremonies and impeccable uniforms.
32:47It's like being in a barracks.
32:49The Missouri Military Academy does not belong to the army.
32:53It's a private high school, which offers an education in military values.
32:58The 200 students are mostly sons of bankers, lawyers and doctors.
33:08At the head of the school is Colonel Rick Grabowski.
33:12This former Marine personally oversees the strict standards of discipline.
33:17They could have done a little bit better, so they're going to get some additional instruction tonight on formations.
33:23We always want perfection.
33:25Give the boys the opportunity to get out and be leaders.
33:28Get them out of their comfort zone and teach them leadership.
33:32These teenagers are between 13 and 19 years old, and in this boarding school, every minute of their lives is
33:39regulated.
33:40The days are grueling, starting at 6 a.m., standing at attention in their pajamas.
33:50Let's go, Justin. Let's get in the room, keep squirted away, let's go.
33:54You gotta shave, you gotta get yourself cleaned up, let's do so.
33:58Good morning. Good morning.
33:59You gotta get shirt off because I'm not here to film crew.
34:01That's not gonna be, that's not gonna be.
34:03Michael, on the other hand, has been ready for a long time.
34:06At 17, this model high school student has been named Dormitory Commandant.
34:13Everything has to be organized, because everything has a place.
34:18Yeah, every, we just, attention to detail.
34:21We always have somewhere, something has to always be somewhere.
34:25And, yeah, it's just what we do.
34:29The second he wakes up, Michael must be an exemplary leader.
34:33As here, it's students like him who make the rules.
34:38Carry on.
34:40Let's go. Hurry this up.
34:42Shouldn't take this long.
34:44The students only have 30 minutes to get dressed, clean their rooms...
34:51Doors open.
34:52All right, gentlemen, hurry up.
34:53...and make their beds.
34:55Hurry it up. Hurry it up, hurry it up, hurry it up.
34:58We walk around every, like, two minutes.
35:02We're expected to make our beds like this every morning.
35:06Make sure that there's no wrinkles in the bed.
35:08Here it's supposed to be 12 inches, and here it's supposed to be 6.
35:12And it's not supposed to bend like this.
35:14And then you make a hospital corner here, which is a 45 degree line, like this.
35:20And that's how you make it.
35:22So military standouts pretty much?
35:24Yep.
35:25Pairing military standards.
35:28Band company, five, four, three...
35:32At 6.30 on the dot, everyone must stand outside of their rooms.
35:37Get your uniforms ready.
35:39Finish up anything else in your rooms.
35:41Get ready for inspection.
35:44Michael reviews each student.
35:46Your privacy is, like, way too high.
35:50It's fine, don't fix it now.
35:51Do you know about face?
35:57You need to get your pants linked in, all right?
35:59Yes, sir.
36:02Do you know about face?
36:06And no one would dare to contradict the young leader.
36:11I'm a company commander.
36:12Everybody in this company has to listen to me.
36:14And then, even when cadets aren't in my company, since I'm a high-ranked man,
36:18you just have to listen to what I say.
36:20And then you just get punished.
36:23A life under constant surveillance, with no privacy.
36:29Every move is made at marching pace.
36:33Even to go to breakfast.
36:34Come on, mate! Come on!
36:41Snow is down. Carry on.
36:44Despite the uniform, these boys are still teenagers with an attitude.
36:49And this morning, an incident occurs.
36:52A youngster has just thrown away his breakfast.
36:55His group leader gets angry and is about to get physical.
36:59He was immediately pushed aside by his classmates and told to stay in a corner.
37:04The adults did not intervene.
37:07It may seem surprising, but in this school, it's young leaders like Michael who must learn to handle conflicts between
37:14peers.
37:19He was just like a...
37:21And then I was just like, why?
37:23When I tell him, like, take his arms off the table.
37:26Take his back off the table.
37:28I'm like, we're going to do it.
37:30And I'm like, thank you.
37:32Next time?
37:33As soon as he, like, says anything, he's like, no, I don't want to do that.
37:38Don't try to have a physical confrontation with him.
37:40Go get a tour.
37:43Go get somebody like that.
37:45Michael's parents pay $34,000 a year to send him to this boarding school.
37:50His mother works for an insurance company, and his father is a railroad engineer.
37:56For this upper-middle-class family, it's a heavy sacrifice.
38:00But they know that their son will receive a top-quality education here.
38:05Small group classes, an extensive library, a 40-hectare campus,
38:10and a variety of sports activities.
38:13There are few opportunities to rest, but the Colonel assures us
38:16that the military rigor is producing results.
38:20Yeah, come on! Come on!
38:22Come on! Come on!
38:25Most of our parents see an instant improvement in their grades in the school
38:30because of just the fact that there's things here that they cannot do,
38:33like go out at night and relax and do whatever they want.
38:36They're in study hall at night.
38:38Every moment of their day is scheduled to do something.
38:42And so the academic side typically goes up pretty quickly.
38:50The students are constantly put in competition with each other to push them to excel.
38:55In a few days, a ceremony will present Michael and his band to all the other classes of the school.
39:01So their teacher, Robert, a former musician in the British Royal Navy, doesn't forgive any mistakes.
39:26They give it 100%. I ask for 120%. I'll always push them as much as I can.
39:32Isn't it too much sometimes for kids at a young age?
39:36Yes and no. In the moment, yes. But later on in life, I think it builds character, stamina, endurance.
39:45So we all know in life things happen which we don't expect and you have to be able to deal
39:51with that.
39:53Only a few days left to improve before the end of year competition.
39:57As a good band leader, Michael motivates his troops one last time.
40:09Make sure your uniform is together. Make sure it looks good.
40:14Nobody is too special to be in the band. Not even if you're a senior that's been here for three
40:19years, 19 years.
40:21It doesn't matter. So yeah, we're all the band. So just take care of each other.
40:27That's all.
40:35It's the end of the week for the students. But at the boarding school, there's never time to slack off.
40:42In the dormitories, a surprise inspection is under preparation.
40:45Central Bravo Company, Central Bravo Company, five minutes to inspection.
40:54It may be a Saturday morning, but the young leaders don't hold back on one of their classmates.
41:01That shouldn't happen.
41:03A young man has left his clothes in a pile in his laundry basket.
41:06So have you just not turned in laundry for the past three weeks, or...?
41:10This is terrible.
41:12That was a question. I need you to answer it. So what's all this then?
41:16No excuses.
41:17No excuses? Yeah.
41:19Company leadership, what are we going to do about this?
41:22Hey, take his laptop.
41:24Yeah, go give that down to the mentor, and when he's done cleaning all this stuff up, you can go
41:29get it back. They're messy.
41:31Not everyone can withstand this military discipline. After a year at the academy, this is one test too many for
41:38the boy.
41:41Are you back next year?
41:42Oh, no, definitely not.
41:44No, definitely not coming back next year.
41:46Why not?
41:49I don't know, because I want to live like a normal teenager.
41:54The punishments are kind of more of like, just stupid, like, go run around the school, or face the wall,
42:00sit like this at the mess hall, like, stuff like that, you know?
42:03But that's just like, I mean, I would be, if I was, if I had the power of another 17
42:07-year-old, I'd do the same thing.
42:09That's why teenagers shouldn't be able to reign over other teenagers, because it just doesn't make sense, right?
42:16Like him, 15% of students drop out of military high school before graduation.
42:24The final day of the year competition has finally arrived.
42:28Every class in the high school will parade in front of the colonel.
42:32They all hope to win first place for the best performance.
42:39It's really competitive. All the companies are in competition, and then we get graded.
42:45Ben usually wins, but like, I'm hoping, hoping that we can win a day.
42:50The ceremony will be broadcast online, and will be watched by parents all over the country.
42:59Ladies and gentlemen, the Missouri military academy will welcome you to our 2021 Mother's Day Review.
43:11Each gesture has been rehearsed hundreds of times.
43:15High school students deliver a parade worthy of a professional army.
43:20In the front row, the colonel scrutinizes each group and scores each uniform.
43:25He must choose the company which performed the best parade.
43:29It is Michael's band's turn to be scored.
43:32It's going to be difficult to choose the winning team.
44:02We're now going to announce the results for the review.
44:07And the winner is Delta Company.
44:12Delta Company won first place.
44:14The colonel also chooses the student who will command all the high school students in the new school year.
44:21And it is Michael.
44:28The best of the high school students will go to the most famous military schools like West Point or the
44:35Naval Academy.
44:38They know that the U.S. Army will open up opportunities for them for life in American society.
44:45In this very patriotic country, many former soldiers take advantage of America's love for the military to build fortunes.
44:54After the military, one in 20 veterans start a business.
44:58All right, go ahead, boys. Lock and load.
45:01In southern Arizona, a businessman takes a break in the middle of his work day.
45:07Ellie Crane, 41 years old.
45:11All right, move up to the tree.
45:13Is a former member of the prestigious Navy SEALs.
45:17Nice, two.
45:20Star.
45:23The ex-sniper has lost none of his old reflexes.
45:30Little rusty.
45:32It's just fun because you have to focus in on what you're doing.
45:36And so it makes you block out all the other distractions in your life.
45:40And there's no shortage of things to worry about since Ellie founded his company eight years ago.
45:45In his Tucson workshop, his past as a soldier is never too distant.
45:57What is up, Chris?
45:58How you doing?
45:59Not too bad. Good morning.
46:02There's plenty of ammunition on the shelves here.
46:05Just trying to get some new photos for the website.
46:07I like it.
46:09After 13 years of shooting thousands of bullets,
46:13Ellie had the idea of using them in a much more peaceful and friendly way.
46:18He turns the bullets into harmless bottle openers.
46:23It's the mother of all breachers, and we say that no beer is safe.
46:27Because, I mean, look at this thing.
46:29Look how big and awesome this thing is.
46:32Ellie sells these bullets for $20 on the internet.
46:37He ships $400 a week.
46:39Amongst his customers are celebrities like actor Clint Eastwood and former President George W. Bush.
46:46The next candidates are a military couple.
46:48Her success started with a stint on a famous TV show with his wife Jane.
46:56We made each one of you guys a personalized 50 caliber beer bottle opener.
47:01To set himself apart, Ellie highlights his background in the Special Forces.
47:06You know, I'm so honored to be able to serve with the guys that I got to serve with the
47:10last eight, nine years.
47:11I did three combat deployments to Iraq.
47:14I like the story. It's very simple. I've made money with military guys because they're focused.
47:19I'll do it for 20%.
47:21You guys are awesome! Let's do it!
47:24That day, Ellie walked away with $150,000 worth of investments.
47:30I didn't go to business school, but I took a lot of the training that we got in the military.
47:37And I think that that works on the battlefield and I think it also works in business.
47:42Today, Ellie has a turnover of $1.2 million and employs 15 people, most of whom are former soldiers.
47:54Thanks to his business, he was able to buy a grand villa overlooking the city with a breathtaking view of
48:01the desert.
48:02He lives there with his wife and two daughters.
48:12How was your day today? Good. In the Bible today, we were learning about spiritual work.
48:18But like all former soldiers, Ellie is still haunted by the memory of his years on the front lines.
48:24He lost several comrades there.
48:33He got shot by the scar.
48:36It makes me miss it. It makes me miss the guys.
48:39I got ambushed by three guys with machine guns at like about 110 yards and it was like I was
48:46really close to getting killed.
48:47I felt like it's the big reason why you go big.
48:50You go big with the house you bought, you go big with the business you own.
48:54You just go big in life because you understand how short life is.
48:59Ellie's next challenge is to use his image as a soldier to get into politics.
49:04A possibility, as Americans like to elect veterans.
49:08In the United States, 17% of the members of Congress are former military.
49:16But on the other side of the country, other ex-combatants feel that America has forgotten them.
49:22In the hills of Virginia, the graves of soldiers stretch as far as the eye can see.
49:287,000 of them died in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan alone.
49:32But many have been victim of the suicide epidemic, which claims 6,000 veterans each year.
49:39In this house lives a former Marine who has dedicated his life to his country.
49:45So this is my, I guess, retirement gift or parting gift from my last unit.
49:51It's a 9mm.
49:53It's the civilian equivalent of what we carried as a sidearm.
49:57So it was kind of a reminder, you know, of those times.
50:02From his 15 years of combat in the Marines, Zouk doesn't only have good memories.
50:08Hey bro, what's up? This is Howie.
50:10Like his friend Hogg, he suffers from post-traumatic stress.
50:14For them, motorcycling is more than a passion. It's therapy.
50:18This is the bike. I came back from a deployment and I needed a healthy distraction.
50:22And so, coming back, you know, from a long deployment, my first Afghan deployment,
50:28mentally and emotionally I just wasn't in a place to cope, you know what I mean, and I knew alcohol.
50:35I do tell people sometimes this bike, the reason I don't sell it or get rid of it is I
50:39feel like in some ways it kind of saved my life.
50:41Depression, nightmares, a daily occurrence for 500,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who have been diagnosed by the military with
50:51combat-related trauma.
50:53It's a good outlet, especially for us military guys. I can only speak for myself, but a lot of times
51:02stuff that happens in your head gets to be a little too much.
51:08So it's nice to be able to jump on the bike and just forget about stuff.
51:14Zouk is the founder of the Sons of Blackwater, a motorcycle club dedicated to fighting veteran suicide.
51:22Every year, over 6,000 ex-soldiers end their lives, a suicide rate almost twice that of the general population.
51:31At the clubhouse, Zouk and his friends meet on weekends to support each other.
51:40It's my brother Grump here, retired soldier, army.
51:45And to spread some military fun.
51:48This, of course, our Mattis shrine, which we're very proud of.
51:51General Mattis led the invasion into Iraq.
51:53He's had very notable quotes that we all love as Marines.
51:57He used to say, you know, I love that Marines can be polite and be professional, but they have a
52:02plan to kill everyone in the room.
52:03From the military, these former soldiers have kept the spirit of camaraderie.
52:08Mack!
52:09I need you to do me a favor and go behind the bar.
52:11Yes.
52:12And do an inventory check real quick, please.
52:13I can do that.
52:14Thank you, appreciate it.
52:15At 70 years old, Mack is always willing to help out at the club.
52:19Every year he organizes a big event in the heart of the American capital.
52:25It's a matter of parking 10,000 or 20,000 or 30,000 of our closest friends.
52:31This Vietnam veteran demands that the psychological injuries of veterans be better taken care of.
52:38They say about 22 veterans a day are taking their own lives, and that's not acceptable.
52:45And you'll hear all these motorcycles leaning really hard on the throttles, making as much noise as you can.
52:52So people inside the capital will get their attention.
52:58The next day, thousands of people were already gathered at this parking lot on the outskirts of Washington, D.C.
53:05You can't miss Mack, who guides the arrivals.
53:11Follow him, making a big loop.
53:14These ex-soldiers come from Indiana, Kentucky or Mississippi.
53:19Some ride for 20 hours, demanding a major national plan against suicides.
53:26So this is a way of reminding our nation's leaders that we have not forgotten,
53:31and we don't want our government to forget either.
53:3425,000 bikers drive to Washington, D.C.
53:38In front of the capital, the seat of the parliament, they make sure to make their engines roar,
53:43to remind their elected representatives of their fight.
53:47Given the scale of their event, there is no doubt that the veterans will be heard.
53:52We have nothing for the responsibility as to have a hurricane.
53:57The rest of us have come from this.
54:00I want to keep visible.
54:00This is another adventure in theаты of the nation.宮
Comments