Last Thursday my wife and I attended the premiere of the new documentary Full Battle Rattle produced and directed by Tony Gerber and Jesse Moss. The documentary is about the U.S. Army’s billion dollar simulated Iraq in California’s Mojave Desert, complete with hundreds of exiles playing civilians and insurgents, terrorist suspects, grieving mothers, and innocent shopkeepers.  It’s an extraordinary work that gives the viewer a very real sense of the challenges faced by an occupying force in a foreign land.  A.O. Scott just reviewed the film for The New York Times. Here’s a clip about the movie from CNN.

As I watched  Lt. Col. Robert McLaughlin lead his Army battalion and attempt to bring order to the fictitious town of Medina Wasl, I was struck by the challenges he faced.  First he had to connect with the soldiers he commanded and keep them aligned with his strategy.  He had to help his soldiers connect with locals in order to develop intelligence about the location and plans of insurgents.  He had to connect with the town’s mayor.  Ultimately he had to help nurture connection and community among Sunni, Shiites, Kurds and Christians.  

In one scene, the town’s mayor approached the gate of the Army compound and asked to speak to Lt. Col. McLaughlin.  The mayor wanted to provide information about the individuals who murdered his son.  Lt. Col. McLaughlin never received word that the mayor wanted to speak with him and after endless waiting, the mayor gave up and decided to take matters into his own hands. When the mayor sends a few loyal followers to retaliate against the alleged murderers it sets off civil war. After viewing this film, I came away with a greater appreciation for the men and women who are there to help bring peace, the sacrifices they make and the challenges they face.

In coming posts, I plan to explore aspects of connection faced by military and intelligence professionals.  Presently, I’m speaking with individuals who have experience in these areas about writing guest posts for my blog.  Stay tuned.          

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