Critically and sarcastically penned by Patrick Weeks, a recovering Marine Corps Logistics Officer.
The Iron Man and Transformers movies are very similar in many respects
They both feature superheroes (/machines), epic world-saving, boundary-pushing action, and special effects, huge personalities, and excessive glorification of our United States Air Force.
Let’s pull back the curtain. What do we really learn about the Air Force from these movies?
1: Pilot Worship
The Air Force is still in love with the flashy, expensive flying machines that capture every boy’s imagination. Even though drones are the future. Sorry, Top Gun.
2: Salute Yourself
No matter what an Airman tells you about how his service understands customs and courtesies, these guys throw around salutes like they’re all leaving an epic frat party. Constantly. Indoors. Uncovered.
3: The Air Force has the Coolest Tech
And they know it. It’s so irrefutable, it’s annoying.
4: What Uniform Regulations?
“Look cool.”
“Be yourself.”
“Don’t worry about uniformity.”
5: Unlimited Budget
One of the aspects of the Hollywood Air Force that mirrors real life (from the perspective of a disgruntled Marine) is the unfathomable budgets.
In these movies, the constant stream of high-tech gear, aircraft, and expensive destruction is no big deal for the Air Force. While deployed Marines ask for toilet paper in care packages.
What do you think?
Fair/unfair? Let me know if I missed anything in the comments below.
-Patrick
Patrick served in the Marine Corps from 2009-2014 and is the founder of the USMC OCS Blog and www.armstrongpullupprogram.com.
