Citizen Soldier

Citizen Soldier is a new critically-acclaimed military documentary about a group of men and women in the Oklahoma National Guard and their tour of duty in the most dangerous parts of Afghanistan. Although I did appreciate the intense go-pro footage of the soldiers actually in combat, I felt that the most distinguishing part of this film was the brotherhood between the National Guard members. This film showed just how far a soldier would go to protect their fellow soldier in combat. It was also incredibly touching to see how heroic and brave everyday national guard members are to leave their jobs and families at home to fight for our country. This inspiring film gives an intimate perspective of what soldiers actually go through in combat and is unlike any military film of its kind in doing this. It is a great watch.

Filmmaker’s David Salzberg and Christian Tureaud took documentary film making to a new level by intercutting emotional interviews with raw action footage taken from the front-lines through helmet-cams. These techniques created a truly immersive experience, I really felt like I was on the battlefield, navigating the terrain and reacting to flying bullets with our soldiers. Though I was impressed by their bravery in combat, I was most connected to the soldiers who were able to share their tour experiences. It’s amazing to see the relationship that forms between these men and women during their time overseas. Their love extends onto the front-lines, and you realize not only are they fighting to protect our country, they are fighting to protect each other and make sure they get home safely. I definitely recommend it.