You are absolutely correct about Captain Sobel and his training methods. Easy Company veterans would later explain how Sobel was a complete asshole, but his training saved them in Europe. Also, it never fails to make me laugh when someone compares Sobel to Ross! LOL
I think the company would have accepted Sobel more if he was actually tactically competent. When you have a real enemy to hate (ie Germans) you can let some past things go if the guy you think was an asshole can help keep you alive.
@@armynurseboy Oh, clearly! Just look at Captain Speirs! Honestly, I always saw him as kind of an asshole, but if I were in Easy I'd follow him into Hell because I'd be confident he could lead me out!
Buck, you keep talking about choices and directions that were taken for this series. While it's all a dramatization, it's based on Ambrose's book and the historical recollections of the the 506's surviving members. Cast member's interacted with their real life counterparts or families that they played. 506 veterans were given a first screening of the series and were moved by it, appreciated it and supported it. Directions the story went are based on true, historical experience. Loved the reaction and that your finally doing this series. I wish every American today could see this and understand the history and context. Thank you.
They got certain things wrong though, and never made corrections. E.g. Albert Blithe recovered and later served with the 82nd airborne; some veterans felt the portrayal of Dike was too negative.
Guys, I was fortunate enough to watch this series with my grandfather. He was in a tank division in WWII. He rarely spoke about his experiences, understandably, with his grandkids. I was about 18 and my brother and I showed him this series. It was heartbreaking and eye-opening at the same time. He said this series was accurate in many regards, he also saw some stuff done for TV. However, I learned a ton about him that week and learned a lot about the Germans and their military strategies during that week. I will always cherish this series for allowing a medium where my grandfather could then get closer with his grandkids and also giving him a window back to when he was 18 or 19. He told me in my 18th birthday card that I was getting $50 but he got shipped to the tank division he was in on his 18th birthday. It gives me great perspective on life that many people are missing today.
What tank division was he in? My great grandfather was also in a tank division. Unfortunately I never got to meet him but I have a bunch of his old war docs and patches and would love learn more!
Good discussion about Sobel's motivations. The book seemed to make it pretty clear he was a complex man struggling with a lot of inner demons, so I think the show's portrayal of him was accurate.
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@@FNGACADEMY The book is well worth the read! Sobel was a complex human being and just as the men who served under him, we are left wondering his true motivations. There is one thing that is given, he was an outstanding trainer!! So no matter why he was doing it, his results, as you will see, were very evident!
@@FNGACADEMY The book was really great. What I really enjoyed was how in depth and personal, you really felt like you got to know each man, how they grew up as well as in the military. This is why I enjoyed BoB over The Pacific. The Pacific was based on three books and I felt less focused.
Perhaps one of the greatest shows ever made? Best military show at the very least. The realism, all the great young actors, just outstanding all around!
Pretty much watch this yearly. Such a great retelling of what the boys went through over there. Much respect to them then, now, and for those who decide to enlist in the future.
I had the honor of introducing Lipton at a private screening prior to the release. Great memory. I've been blessed to have had the opportunity to rub elbows with more than a handful of giants.
There's a whole series of youtube videos that came out about 6 months ago that's the belated 20th anniversary reunion of the Band of Brothers cast, the families of the real veterans, and the producers and crew of the production. Such a good watch... lots of behind the scenes recollections, and the actual cast became their own band of brothers and family to one another, and have been having reunions every year ever since. Their kids and families are friends.
I'm watching that RUclips series now... It's excellent!!! The way the actors said going through a 3 week boot camp changed them and made them bond... Incredible
Some viewers of this episode have remarked that Winters was not rigged with a reserve chute. Reading Dick Winters memoirs, he actually jumped not using a reserve. He figured, and rightly so in my experience of 20 years on jump status, they were jumping too low for the reserve to be useful. In the event of a tree landing, they were all carrying a let-down rope--small need for a reserve to get out of trees. And with his leg-bag with all of his web gear, weapon, binocs, mapcase, pro-mask, frag and smoke grenades, hawkins mine--everyone was already so heavy. So he just wrapped the belly band across his waist to the opposite buckle on the main container.
I've watched the entire series 8 or 9 times. The old guys at the beginning always remind me of my grandfather. He fought from Operation Torch, Operation Husky, Operation Shingle. He was at the Battle of Kasserine Pass where US troops got there first taste of combat going up against Rommel's forces. He told me and my brother all about his adventures in Africa, Sicily, and Italy. He never talked to any of his own kids about WWII at all. I spent the summer of 1975 with him at our farm in central Kentucky and I am so grateful for those months getting to know him. He was an alcoholic, but a happy alcoholic, and would talk for hours. He said war was boredom times 10 except for the moments of terror in combat. He said he was always confident so long as they had air cover and could call for help. He was an armor crewman in an M4 Sherman tank. They went through about a dozen of them. He said he overall enjoyed his time in the war. It got him away from his wife, my paternal grandmother, who was a real piece of shat, and after starving through the depression he said they had more than they could ever eat All of it was corned beef. Everyone around him was sick of it but he loved those C rat cans of corned beef. He worked for the CCC during the 30s and said he still almost starved to death. He told me about cooking eggs on his tanks armor. It was that hot in North Africa. He talked about how much they all hated Patton. One of his guys took a shot at him. He was such an a-hole. At Anzio he was run over by a tank. His tank sunk before they could get to the beach and wading ashore another US M4 ran over him. He was pushed down in the mud or sand and suffered internal injuries and some broken bones but said he was one of the lucky ones. He credited all that corned beef for giving him the strength to survive. He recovered and went on to fight up Italy until the end of the war. He died in January 1976 from wounds received at Anzio.
My father was a Sgt. in the Army, participating in the ealy stages of D-Day. He spent the next year in a foxhole, fighting in the Battle of tyhe Bulge, among other places. He would tell stories about humorous aspects of army life, but he never spoke about combat, except once. That was in describing how his best friend, a man named "Scaffidi" was literally cut in half alongside him as they were crossing a field. My Dad was never shot, and his worst injury, I was told by an aunt, was when a mortar round went off nearby and the concussion blew him into a brick wall. He suffered from severe back pain for the rest of his short life (paralyzed at 43, dead at 53.) He had a rheumatic heart and was not suitable for combat, but back then everybody wanted to go.
Best. Show. Ever. 100% It’s special to my family because my dad was a Paratrooper, but with the 82nd. You guys know they also have an extraordinary history like 101st. (Rival 🤬) 😂Same team, obviously. My dad served in Korea though. My uncle was in part of this depiction…sorta. He was with General Patton that came to the aid of the 101st. Yeah, this show is incredible. Make sure that you watch the special documentary at the end, but not until after episode 10. Enjoy, brothers. You’re gonna be on an amazing ride with this story. You’re gonna understand and connect to stuff in it more than an average civilian. So that’s gonna make it even more special to watch.
You gotta do the pacific as well. I’ve always said the pacific portrays how draining the pacific theatre was better than most, if not all other depictions. Also if you can, go read “with the old breed on peleliu” fantastic read and the way Sledge describes the scenes and day to day situations on peleliu and Okinawa is unmatched.
I hope after "Maters of the Air," Hanks and Spielberg tackle, "The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors." I think I'd lose it watching Commander Copeland turn to the intercom on the bridge of his tiny D.E. Samuel B. Roberts and say, "We're making a torpedo run. The outcome is doubtful, but we'll do our duty." Then closing to potato throwing distance with his two 5" guns, and trading "broadsides" with the heavy cruiser Chokai and Chikuma before Kongo nearly ripped the Sammy B. in half with a Salvo of 14" shells.
Band of Brothers is truly an exceptional true mini series. The 10 part B of B with the aged Vets retelling their stories really was great to watch. Such men are why we have the freedom we do today. 💪🙏🏻✨
I agreed so much about Drill Sergeants trying to mold us and be better humans. At first, I was confused but it made sense further down the road. I'm definitely thankful for them because they lit a fire in me.
I just happened on your channel. Enjoyed this episode. I've always loved Band of Brothers ever since it was released. Loved your commentaries, especially on the wisdom of years. I have deep roots in South Philly and have gotten to know very well Bill Guarnere and Babe Heffron. It wasn't the "glory stories" of war that attracted me to them - they never glorified war - but their reflections on life before, during, and after WW II. WW II was a pivotal moment in their lives, but they had a whole life to live afterwards. I was most privileged to have known them and, as a Catholic priest, to serve at their funeral Masses and even to lead Bill Guarnere's burial service. They weren't just celebrities, but men from the neighborhood who did their duty and lived life as best as possible. True heroes. P.S. - I hope you do a commentary on Go for Broke, 1951. A great, undervalued, and almost forgotten movie.
Go for Broke had some members of the 100th Battalion & 442nd RCT in this movie. They were Japanese Americans who were vilified and cruelly detained in civilian life, yet heroically and humbly seved our country and even died for freedom. True heroes; most humble Americans.
One member of the 442nd was the late US Senator from Hawaii and MoH recipient, Daniel Inouye. A true and humble public servant. Thank you Senator Inouye. May you and your buddies rest in peace.
Appreciate your point of view on this series, one of the all-time best ever made! Both of my grandpa’s fought in the European theater in WW2 and thankfully made it home. My great uncle William Rush (504/82nd Airborne) was shot down as he parachuted into Italy, he’s still buried over there. RIP to all the heroes! 🇺🇸
100% correct Buck, I had it rough too as a kid and Boot camp I did get that feeling that someone actually does care if I succeed or fail for the first time in my life.
To watch Band of Brothers is a real tear jerker. To know what these guys had to do to survive Airborne basics and learn the significance of "Curahee" breaks your heart for the rest of the series. Navy UDT divers were receiving their training during this same period and while tasked with only destroying enemy beach obstacles this was the beginning for what would evolve, if I remember my mil history, into the SEALS.
My grandfather was a UDT frog man in WWII and was blowing up obstacles under water at Normandy before d day and yes they were seals before the seals was created
I had to smile while the company was running up Currahee and the trooper was puking up his spaghetti. Fast forward to the Florida Ranger camp in late November 1970. Even though we had been in the East Bay Swamp for days, and even though the ration back then was one C-rat/day while on patrol.....the cadre brought us back into base camp for the traditional Army Thanksgiving Dinner. WOW!! Anyone who endured Ranger School, especially in the days of only one C-rat/day, can hugely appreciate that gesture of bringing us in for the meal. Thing is, it turned out like Band of Brothers. On one side of the WWII wood mess hall building were the Ranger students, still filthy, shrunken stomachs after seven weeks, waiting to enter the chow-hall. Inside was the best spread of food I think I ever saw while in the Army for 26+ years--believe me, we did it justice. On the backside of the building were the Ranger students, kneeling in the grass, puking-up what they had just eaten. At the time, wiping the vomit off my lips, I thought, "F%&k me to tears. I'd rather just have stayed in the swamp, eating a B-3 unit can of turkey loaf."
Great review. I love this show and watch it every year. I love your perspective as a special forces vet. One of my fav scenes from this episode. As stated by others in the comments many of the men (including the NCOs who revolted against him) did admit later that his hard training help them survive. A small but imporant scene that I love is the scene with Lt Winters and Lt Compton in the Jeep and Winters is giving Compton a reprimand for gambling with the men. Compton was doing it to get the know the men in his mind wsa OK. Winteres says What if you won? Never put yourself in a position to take from these men. To me its a very subtle moment but a great one that shows true leadership from an officer.
Dude I love this series for different perspectives it lets me see. I never had to go through something like this and I appreciate and respect that I never had to. I watch reacts to just emotionally relive the series but you have a ton to add to it. Good shit
Huy Buck just found your channel : OUTSTANDING! Your analysis anddedication is Extremely educating, and I'm a Canadian Liberal however we love everyone and are open to all opinions, and I have never held a gun in my 68 years on this planet. However I was born Canadian Airforce Base my dad fought WW2 and Korea and boy did he have stories for me! So you remind me of that: so I'll probably become a member - Cheers Mate!! Thank you for your service!!
My favorite show of all time!! My great Uncle was actually in Dog Company of the 506th and he died during a night patrol in Hageneu. Episode 8 hit real close to home.
Guys, First and foremost thank you for doing these beers and break downs I wish I could watch more of them. Within the first minute or so you brought a tearful smile to my face and a vision that I will truly cherish in the game of life. I found myself at the '88 airborne convention and got to hang out with quite a few WWII vets... loose math I'm guessing they were 70ish. We unassed a 141 over Louisville, KY; oh the joy of landing on hardball; popped a riser, laid there and moaned like a little girl. The dinner I found myself sitting beside a chaplain sporting 4 mustard stains. I had a thousand questions but couldn't think of the first one. His favorite question was, "hey Sonny, how 'bout gettin' us a couple of beers?" Hey, Sonny, can you carry more than two beers". Finally I asked the obvious one about the 4 combat jumps and he rattled off Sicily, Salerno, Normandy, and Nijmegen. I remember thinking to myself did he at the least carry a 1911 ... did he make for 4 combat jumps armed with a bible... I didn't ask. Watching multiple sticks of WWII vets do PLF's off of folding dinner tables after the formal dinner was good stuff.
Nailed it about the corrections/punishments thing. I was blown away by the kids who couldn't understand we were being set up to fail intentionally as part of the process
My uncle was a Lieutenant Colonel (Helicopter Pilot in Vietnam) in the Marine Corps and he would always tell me growing up when I would complain about how hard High school or college was or could be that the more you bleed while you are in training the less you will probably bleed when you are in actual combat. So true. So very true. Words to live by.
This came out when i was 16 17 years old, and mj Spears actions and leadership in the series were always stuck in the back of my mind. It helped me immensely at work having a leadership position. This is my favourite series of all-time's and I watched and read the hell out of it and it's still doesn't get old.
25:12 He's surprised by LT winter running with them. LT winter aside duty at chow hall. But he heard easy going for that run, he's going to run with them.
You should read the story of the real Sobel. In real life he sounds like he was truly a small (in the figurative sense) man. Also, when I first saw this in 2000 I thought they really miscast Schwimmer. That was until I read the Band of Brothers book and saw pictures of the real Sobel. What an EXCELLENT job of casting, and that goes for pretty much the entire cast.
Good show boys, B&B has been on my priority 'to watch" list for some time and you guy's don't disappoint. One of the many things about it that i like is that you don't spend so much time babbling about nerdy rivet counting and critiquing anachronistic pieces of equipment (which i am guilty of, often, mind you) or the esthetics of explosions and so on and much more about the 'mindset" aspect of things. How a stereotypical soldier/operator "thinks", what goes thru the mind of such men and so on is a topic not often covered because weapons and tactics and whatnot are so much sexier to discuss and yet is critically important in understanding how wars are fought...
Very interesting to listen to this talk. I can definitely relate to some of what was shared. Especially regarding growing up without a clear structure and understanding the heart language of people wanting your best. Thank you very much!
Band of Brothers is a top shelf show of any genre. Best of the best. The content you guys put out is also top shelf, keep killing it guys! Like, really hard. You all need money for the "Operation: Save Kurt From Tallahassee " fund.
This is what happens when you assemble Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, you get this masterpiece!!! The Pacific was also done by these two... And I also recommend watching it after Band of Brothers
Favorite war series ever. As a former infantry guy, they did an amazing job showing the relationships and daily interactions between soldiers on all levels (enlisted, NCOs and officers). Watched the series now more than 20 times and I pick up on different little details each time.
Hopefully those watching this understand that what you are witnessing on screen is extremely accurate to what happened to these men. At the beginning of each episode you see some of the men interviewed, those men are the real men of Easy Company. I was honored to have known a lot of these guys, toured battlefields with some of them. While the show is not perfect and there are some errors in it, Hanks, Speilberg and the rest did an amazing job. Most of the things you see in the show actually happened to someone in the Company. It is the best mini series ever and they did a fantastic job of capturing what these men went through, Heroes all of them.
Letting your Brother know he is never alone is important - in all aspects of life. Special Forces guys seem to have amazingly strong bond which is lucky even while you had to pay a large price for it.
Your explanation of the "they will find something wrong with you no matter what" game is great. Made me laugh, and instantly took me back to a CG inspection when I was a PFC, on Okinawa in 1977. We had just gone through our workup to go on float as one of the Marine Corps' two forward-deployed battalion landing teams, and this was the last inspection all the others had led up to. I had busted my ass getting my gear and uniform ready and knew it was in good shape. The inspecting officer (from a different unit so he didn't know us) went over everything, then went over it again, then started laughing. He turned to me and said, "Well, PFC, you know I have to find something." Without looking back at my gear display, he thought for a second, then turned to the guy taking notes and said, "Sand in one canteen cover." Then he looked at me and said, "Good job," and went on to the next guy.
I can't wait to see you guys cover more episodes from this fantastic show. Even just going over the next episode will be amazing. And as a side note, would love to see more hat designs for FNG.
Forced my daughter to watch the first episode. That's all it took. She's 16 and was a TSgt in the Civil Air Patrol when she was made to choose between volleyball and CAP (they won state in 7A the next season ✊). She was hooked & watched the entire series in a few days. That year a MOH recipient from Vietnam came to her school to talk to the kids. My daughter took pictures with him and thanked him for his service while telling her friends what his actions were that earned him the MOH. Can't recall his name but he was a Green Beret who with another teammate were the only 2 Americans on a fob full of dudes they'd coached up. During a day's long firefight with NV & after his teammate was gravely injured he kept up the fight and was credited with not only saving his teammate but saving the 60 something Arvin troops under his command. I read everything I could about the warrior and wish I could have met him. Show's like this are SO important to pass along what these warriors sacrificed & achieved.
You have to watch the whole series. The Bastogne episodes were tough to watch. I really appreciate the realism. I felt like I was there and experiencing it with them.
Always remember the bond I had with my grandfather,listening to his stories of WW2 and Korea,and when I was 13 he told me deeper and more graphic stories.He knew a good many Easy Co. soldiers,most were from our area,70s and 80s alot of these vets were alive,I may of met a few and not even known,VFW was a big part of my family back then. RIP Pap and all veterans who lived long or died young for my freedoms.Today,yesterday,and the future.
This legendary HBO series is no doubt one of the best series ever made. `member how i convinced my mum in the early 2000s to buy me the special edition metal box with 6 DVDs in it, as in germany the series was only allowed to be sold to buyers who are at least 16 years old and i was to young to buy it for myself at that point in time... ^^
I watch Band of Brothers a lot. These men went through hell as brothers. They truly are the Greatest Generation for a reason! Thank you for your service! I think of Sobel (spelling) as someone who Easy needed to beat and train into the soldiers they became, and Winters was the leader they needed going in to combat.
I took the ASVAB and the Army Recruiter literally handed me the big book of military careers and said, "Pick one. Anything. You qualify for anything." And I told him, "I have a list." My father, who was a Vietnam era ranger, helped me put it together. As a result, I went to Intel School, went to language training, and after two years got into OCS. And I ended up getting out on a medical because an accident that left me on permanent disability. But if I had it to do it all again, I'd do it.
I knew a USMC Vietnam War veteran (infantry) who encouraged his sons and any young man he spoke to stay the fuck away from the Marine Corps and the Army period.
"The more you sweat in peace the less you bleed in war" wonderfull saying. Reminds me of my football days when the caption of the varsity team came to talk to us freshman. He said "we practice this hard, so the games are easy" that has helped me so much in life. I'm a hard worker, so I have less stressful days. Because I know I can handle it.
I really like your analysis of Sobel. In the first half of the episode we see him be a total a-hole but we also see that he is able to run up that mountain faster than anyone else in the company. He is able to "walk the walk". The soldiers hate him but keep training so they can finally prove Sobel wrong. In the second part we see him fail because he maintains this approach even though the men now reached the same level as him. He keeps micromanaging and refuses to listen to advice when he encounters trouble. He briefly earned the begrudging respect of his men and then he just wastes it away.
Now you've got so many shows on the backburner now (still waiting for you to change your ways with the Terminal List hehe). At the rate of an episode a week, it can literally take years to go through them all. To a hundred years of Beers and Breakdowns!
I think Buck is sticking to his guns on Terminal List but hopefully he’ll eventually break down and recognize the brilliance of the first 3 episodes where you’re just as confused as Pratt’s character… which was the point… you experience it with him. Not until Jack Carr shows up do you know for sure what’s happening.
My grandpa fought in North Africa, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany with the British 3rd Tank Regiment and later the 11th Armoured Division. He was a sergeant and commanded a tank. He never talked about the war, not to me anyway. Guy was my hero growing up. He fought in Normandy, Market Garden and Bastogne, so this show always reminds me personally of him and his amazing generation. Enjoy. It's one of the best pieces of tv ever made.
Dale Dye (he plays the Colonel in the show) was the technical advisor and trained the actors. He intentionally separated David Schwimmer (Sobel) from the men during the training so that they'd have zero chemistry on camera and seem separated.
The best thing ever was that time when Buck was explaining to him what to do when you have a dud round in a mortar, and Abel was looking at him as if he was some kind of alien.
Did you know the actor who plays Lt. Buck Compton went on to play one of the Howling Commandos in Captain America The First Avenger? His first line in that movie was, “One day, I’m gonna have a stick of my own.” In Band of Brothers, he certainly did.
You know how many weeks of running miles upon miles upon miles of running that only cadence kept me going ? Thank you for the past memories . Your mind is your greatest enemy or your greatest friend . USMC 1982
Everytime I hear the soundtrack at the beginning of band of brothers it brings me to tears it’s so good. Wait til you get to the last episode all I’ll say those aren’t just random ww2 vets
Watching you talk about leadership reminded me of one of my favourite war movies of all time: 12 O'clock High. Have you guys seen it? It is pretty much a study in leadership.
You know a lot about enlisted stuff, but you're a little short on understanding life as an officer. First as an officer you realize the look on Sobel's face as lieutenant Winters runs up the hill was amazement that Winters finished his mess hall duty and join the run. Second captain sobel did not get promoted about his job at easy company to a school. We got passed over and sent from a combat job to a non-combat job which will look bad on his promotion board. That's why Captain Winter made major before Captain Sobel. When you get fired in the military is not like being fired in the civilian world. You're still getting paid and you have to find something for them to do. Being a bad leader is not an NJP offense. Sobel was good at training as you point out but terrible in combat operations so they moved him. Finally they did not make up a script and have characters do what the author's wanted. They took what really happened in life and sobel's actions were meant to reflect what really happened. Overall your evaluation of leadership and consequences its outstanding Just my two cents about officers.
When MARSOC started there was an Infantry unit and 2 Force Recon units that were grandfathered in. The Force Recon Marines very much went through many selection processes.
Buck, your life experiences are extensive in and out of the military and you're unbelievably entertaining to watch and listen to but I gotta say the things that are most obvious about you are your accumulated wisdom and understanding of everything that you've done so far in life. Your "common sense" is off the charts Brother
I've noticed this too. So they were "Spethal Forthez" and now somehow they are experts on everything without ever having gone to any military academy like west point. Social media feeds their over inflated egos which is something SF veterans from the past never had a problem with. The OG's were humble, quiet and unassuming. Today's "Spethal Forthez" are narcissistic and self-centered. Look at me, look at me.... 😆🤣😆🤣
when you read up on Captain Sobel there is a lot to respect about him. He truly wanted his men to be the finest unit in the regiment. He wanted them to be the best. He went to the CO when one of his Lt's was going to be declared unfit and fought for them to stay in the unit. He was a dedicated by the book officer and loved his unit. However he also was not good at combat leadership and that lead to problems. Post war his kids talk about how amazing he was as a person. Never swore or raised his voice, cooked pancakes for all the neighborhood kids on sundays.
I really enjoyed this series and have watched it a few times as I have the boxed set. My Dad was a WWll vet served in the Pacific and really never talked about it till I went in the Navy and was in the Pacific as well. I too like him was Gator Navy and I guess he knew that I would now understand what he went through. I can only imagine as we were never involved in the type of operations they were so I have the upmost respect for those guys. He was an assault boat coxswain which meant he took the Marines into the beach and as he said they were really trying to kill me. He also said they never slept below deck in their bunks one because of the heat but they never knew when they would be attacked so they slept on deck in their uniforms close to their guns.
I really appreciate you telling the truth on the pay vs. health issue. My childhood friend went to Iraq in 2007. The guy that came back was...very different. I think he’s homeless now, it’s been 4 years since I’ve seen him.
You paused to talk very often, but never talked too much. Excellent breakdowns! Nailed that bit about the self-doubt. I bet that can have a huge impact on your mental state if you were lost in the woods or a novice at navigation.
From Tallahassee here. The reason it's so expensive flying from there is because the airport is VERY small, it's just a regional airport with like 6 gates maybe. If he is able to drive 2-2.5 hours to Jacksonville, flying out of there is usually a lot cheaper across the board because JAX is an international airport and is way bigger.
The first episode is in some ways my favorite, if only for the innocence and the fact that I know what lies ahead for these men. This was when their biggest threats were "Army noodles with ketchup." I love the power move Winters makes by literally grabbing the pen out of Sobel's hand while he was abusing his power...it's brilliant, and a true story. Hard to call this a TV show honestly, it's a 12 hour Saving Private Ryan in quality...CURRAHEE! ♠
I watch this series yearly. 6/6 and Christmas. I have read all the books written by the members of Easy Company. I think your evaluation of the episode is spot on. Will you be doing the other episodes as well? And have you seen the whole series yet, or are you breaking these down as you watch them for the first time??
Buck, if you think the episode 1 opening almost brought a tear to your eyes, you got a wild ride ahead.
Episode 9 breaks even the most badass man out there
@@phil_5430 episode 9 is not desirable
Indeed!! My all time favorite series!
Ep 9- "Why we fight" will break them.
@@Warszawski_Modernizm Breaking Point is by far my favorite episode. It is, for one thing, a superb tutorial on the importance of leadership.
You are absolutely correct about Captain Sobel and his training methods. Easy Company veterans would later explain how Sobel was a complete asshole, but his training saved them in Europe. Also, it never fails to make me laugh when someone compares Sobel to Ross! LOL
I think the company would have accepted Sobel more if he was actually tactically competent. When you have a real enemy to hate (ie Germans) you can let some past things go if the guy you think was an asshole can help keep you alive.
@@armynurseboy Oh, clearly! Just look at Captain Speirs! Honestly, I always saw him as kind of an asshole, but if I were in Easy I'd follow him into Hell because I'd be confident he could lead me out!
@@ForgottenHonor0 yup. Great example
I think I remember one of the vets actually calling Sobel a genius. And how Sobel MADE Easy company.
@@lockerius4208 That was Nixon when he was talking to Winters during lunch after the midnight march.
"Grandpa, were you a hero in the war?"..."No, but I served in a company of heroes"...gets me every time.
Everyone bill and Joe are legends.
Band of Brothers is one of the greatest TV series that Steven Spielberg has ever created. I need to watch this show again. Lol
It really is… Such an amazing show
It is worthy of re-watching every couple of years; a hallmark of many a great movie/series.
One of the greatest TV series anyone ever created. Period.
Do they have it in HD?
I watch it every year over the Christmas Holiday week.
Buck, you keep talking about choices and directions that were taken for this series. While it's all a dramatization, it's based on Ambrose's book and the historical recollections of the the 506's surviving members. Cast member's interacted with their real life counterparts or families that they played. 506 veterans were given a first screening of the series and were moved by it, appreciated it and supported it. Directions the story went are based on true, historical experience. Loved the reaction and that your finally doing this series. I wish every American today could see this and understand the history and context. Thank you.
They got certain things wrong though, and never made corrections. E.g. Albert Blithe recovered and later served with the 82nd airborne; some veterans felt the portrayal of Dike was too negative.
Guys, I was fortunate enough to watch this series with my grandfather. He was in a tank division in WWII. He rarely spoke about his experiences, understandably, with his grandkids. I was about 18 and my brother and I showed him this series. It was heartbreaking and eye-opening at the same time. He said this series was accurate in many regards, he also saw some stuff done for TV. However, I learned a ton about him that week and learned a lot about the Germans and their military strategies during that week. I will always cherish this series for allowing a medium where my grandfather could then get closer with his grandkids and also giving him a window back to when he was 18 or 19. He told me in my 18th birthday card that I was getting $50 but he got shipped to the tank division he was in on his 18th birthday. It gives me great perspective on life that many people are missing today.
What tank division was he in? My great grandfather was also in a tank division. Unfortunately I never got to meet him but I have a bunch of his old war docs and patches and would love learn more!
Good discussion about Sobel's motivations. The book seemed to make it pretty clear he was a complex man struggling with a lot of inner demons, so I think the show's portrayal of him was accurate.
ill have to read the book, his character was very complex especially for a show, loved it
@FNGACADEMY Since you was in law Enforcement and Military.Check out the Movie "KINGDOM " it shows the American Law Enforcement fight against Terrorism. Jamie Foxx is a FBI agent in Saudi Arabia hunting a Bomb maker who blew up a US Government/ Contractor Community 🍺
@@FNGACADEMY thesse are all real people, the show is based on true events and people. they didnt choose how it went, this is the way it happened.
@@FNGACADEMY The book is well worth the read! Sobel was a complex human being and just as the men who served under him, we are left wondering his true motivations. There is one thing that is given, he was an outstanding trainer!! So no matter why he was doing it, his results, as you will see, were very evident!
@@FNGACADEMY The book was really great. What I really enjoyed was how in depth and personal, you really felt like you got to know each man, how they grew up as well as in the military. This is why I enjoyed BoB over The Pacific. The Pacific was based on three books and I felt less focused.
Perhaps one of the greatest shows ever made? Best military show at the very least. The realism, all the great young actors, just outstanding all around!
The pacific and Generation kill are great military shows also that I put on this same level
Pretty much watch this yearly. Such a great retelling of what the boys went through over there. Much respect to them then, now, and for those who decide to enlist in the future.
I had the honor of introducing Lipton at a private screening prior to the release. Great memory. I've been blessed to have had the opportunity to rub elbows with more than a handful of giants.
7:37 - The best quote that I always turn to, is "no one on their deathbed ever said, 'I wish I would have worked more'"
There's a whole series of youtube videos that came out about 6 months ago that's the belated 20th anniversary reunion of the Band of Brothers cast, the families of the real veterans, and the producers and crew of the production. Such a good watch... lots of behind the scenes recollections, and the actual cast became their own band of brothers and family to one another, and have been having reunions every year ever since. Their kids and families are friends.
I'm watching that RUclips series now... It's excellent!!! The way the actors said going through a 3 week boot camp changed them and made them bond... Incredible
Some viewers of this episode have remarked that Winters was not rigged with a reserve chute. Reading Dick Winters memoirs, he actually jumped not using a reserve. He figured, and rightly so in my experience of 20 years on jump status, they were jumping too low for the reserve to be useful. In the event of a tree landing, they were all carrying a let-down rope--small need for a reserve to get out of trees. And with his leg-bag with all of his web gear, weapon, binocs, mapcase, pro-mask, frag and smoke grenades, hawkins mine--everyone was already so heavy. So he just wrapped the belly band across his waist to the opposite buckle on the main container.
I've watched the entire series 8 or 9 times. The old guys at the beginning always remind me of my grandfather. He fought from Operation Torch, Operation Husky, Operation Shingle. He was at the Battle of Kasserine Pass where US troops got there first taste of combat going up against Rommel's forces. He told me and my brother all about his adventures in Africa, Sicily, and Italy. He never talked to any of his own kids about WWII at all. I spent the summer of 1975 with him at our farm in central Kentucky and I am so grateful for those months getting to know him. He was an alcoholic, but a happy alcoholic, and would talk for hours. He said war was boredom times 10 except for the moments of terror in combat. He said he was always confident so long as they had air cover and could call for help. He was an armor crewman in an M4 Sherman tank. They went through about a dozen of them. He said he overall enjoyed his time in the war. It got him away from his wife, my paternal grandmother, who was a real piece of shat, and after starving through the depression he said they had more than they could ever eat All of it was corned beef. Everyone around him was sick of it but he loved those C rat cans of corned beef. He worked for the CCC during the 30s and said he still almost starved to death. He told me about cooking eggs on his tanks armor. It was that hot in North Africa. He talked about how much they all hated Patton. One of his guys took a shot at him. He was such an a-hole. At Anzio he was run over by a tank. His tank sunk before they could get to the beach and wading ashore another US M4 ran over him. He was pushed down in the mud or sand and suffered internal injuries and some broken bones but said he was one of the lucky ones. He credited all that corned beef for giving him the strength to survive. He recovered and went on to fight up Italy until the end of the war. He died in January 1976 from wounds received at Anzio.
It's one of those series that doesn't get old to watch over and over.
Loved that story. Sounds like your grandpa was a bad a$$. RIP to a real soldier.
My father was a Sgt. in the Army, participating in the ealy stages of D-Day. He spent the next year in a foxhole, fighting in the Battle of tyhe Bulge, among other places. He would tell stories about humorous aspects of army life, but he never spoke about combat, except once. That was in describing how his best friend, a man named "Scaffidi" was literally cut in half alongside him as they were crossing a field. My Dad was never shot, and his worst injury, I was told by an aunt, was when a mortar round went off nearby and the concussion blew him into a brick wall. He suffered from severe back pain for the rest of his short life (paralyzed at 43, dead at 53.) He had a rheumatic heart and was not suitable for combat, but back then everybody wanted to go.
This episode kicked off when Sean started talking about the airborne pay and the Army will get it out of you. Masterpiece. Great job, FNG team.
Best. Show. Ever. 100%
It’s special to my family because my dad was a Paratrooper, but with the 82nd. You guys know they also have an extraordinary history like 101st. (Rival 🤬) 😂Same team, obviously. My dad served in Korea though. My uncle was in part of this depiction…sorta. He was with General Patton that came to the aid of the 101st.
Yeah, this show is incredible. Make sure that you watch the special documentary at the end, but not until after episode 10. Enjoy, brothers. You’re gonna be on an amazing ride with this story. You’re gonna understand and connect to stuff in it more than an average civilian. So that’s gonna make it even more special to watch.
You gotta do the pacific as well.
I’ve always said the pacific portrays how draining the pacific theatre was better than most, if not all other depictions. Also if you can, go read “with the old breed on peleliu” fantastic read and the way Sledge describes the scenes and day to day situations on peleliu and Okinawa is unmatched.
I hope after "Maters of the Air," Hanks and Spielberg tackle, "The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors."
I think I'd lose it watching Commander Copeland turn to the intercom on the bridge of his tiny D.E. Samuel B. Roberts and say, "We're making a torpedo run. The outcome is doubtful, but we'll do our duty." Then closing to potato throwing distance with his two 5" guns, and trading "broadsides" with the heavy cruiser Chokai and Chikuma before Kongo nearly ripped the Sammy B. in half with a Salvo of 14" shells.
Gene Sledge hit a home run with that book!!! I remember reading it and saying OMG.... Brutal
Band of Brothers is truly an exceptional true mini series. The 10 part B of B with the aged Vets retelling their stories really was great to watch. Such men are why we have the freedom we do today. 💪🙏🏻✨
I agreed so much about Drill Sergeants trying to mold us and be better humans. At first, I was confused but it made sense further down the road. I'm definitely thankful for them because they lit a fire in me.
I just happened on your channel. Enjoyed this episode. I've always loved Band of Brothers ever since it was released. Loved your commentaries, especially on the wisdom of years. I have deep roots in South Philly and have gotten to know very well Bill Guarnere and Babe Heffron. It wasn't the "glory stories" of war that attracted me to them - they never glorified war - but their reflections on life before, during, and after WW II. WW II was a pivotal moment in their lives, but they had a whole life to live afterwards. I was most privileged to have known them and, as a Catholic priest, to serve at their funeral Masses and even to lead Bill Guarnere's burial service. They weren't just celebrities, but men from the neighborhood who did their duty and lived life as best as possible. True heroes. P.S. - I hope you do a commentary on Go for Broke, 1951. A great, undervalued, and almost forgotten movie.
Go for Broke had some members of the 100th Battalion & 442nd RCT in this movie. They were Japanese Americans who were vilified and cruelly detained in civilian life, yet heroically and humbly seved our country and even died for freedom. True heroes; most humble Americans.
One member of the 442nd was the late US Senator from Hawaii and MoH recipient, Daniel Inouye. A true and humble public servant. Thank you Senator Inouye. May you and your buddies rest in peace.
Appreciate your point of view on this series, one of the all-time best ever made! Both of my grandpa’s fought in the European theater in WW2 and thankfully made it home. My great uncle William Rush (504/82nd Airborne) was shot down as he parachuted into Italy, he’s still buried over there. RIP to all the heroes! 🇺🇸
100% correct Buck, I had it rough too as a kid and Boot camp I did get that feeling that someone actually does care if I succeed or fail for the first time in my life.
that’s how they get you. how predatory.
To watch Band of Brothers is a real tear jerker. To know what these guys had to do to survive Airborne basics and learn the significance of "Curahee" breaks your heart for the rest of the series. Navy UDT divers were receiving their training during this same period and while tasked with only destroying enemy beach obstacles this was the beginning for what would evolve, if I remember my mil history, into the SEALS.
My grandfather was a UDT frog man in WWII and was blowing up obstacles under water at Normandy before d day and yes they were seals before the seals was created
I had to smile while the company was running up Currahee and the trooper was puking up his spaghetti. Fast forward to the Florida Ranger camp in late November 1970. Even though we had been in the East Bay Swamp for days, and even though the ration back then was one C-rat/day while on patrol.....the cadre brought us back into base camp for the traditional Army Thanksgiving Dinner. WOW!! Anyone who endured Ranger School, especially in the days of only one C-rat/day, can hugely appreciate that gesture of bringing us in for the meal. Thing is, it turned out like Band of Brothers. On one side of the WWII wood mess hall building were the Ranger students, still filthy, shrunken stomachs after seven weeks, waiting to enter the chow-hall. Inside was the best spread of food I think I ever saw while in the Army for 26+ years--believe me, we did it justice. On the backside of the building were the Ranger students, kneeling in the grass, puking-up what they had just eaten. At the time, wiping the vomit off my lips, I thought, "F%&k me to tears. I'd rather just have stayed in the swamp, eating a B-3 unit can of turkey loaf."
Great review. I love this show and watch it every year. I love your perspective as a special forces vet. One of my fav scenes from this episode. As stated by others in the comments many of the men (including the NCOs who revolted against him) did admit later that his hard training help them survive. A small but imporant scene that I love is the scene with Lt Winters and Lt Compton in the Jeep and Winters is giving Compton a reprimand for gambling with the men. Compton was doing it to get the know the men in his mind wsa OK. Winteres says What if you won? Never put yourself in a position to take from these men. To me its a very subtle moment but a great one that shows true leadership from an officer.
Buck your insight on officers and training is so spot on. Thank you for illuminating the terrain where we are currently deployed, and that is life.
Dude I love this series for different perspectives it lets me see. I never had to go through something like this and I appreciate and respect that I never had to. I watch reacts to just emotionally relive the series but you have a ton to add to it. Good shit
Huy Buck just found your channel : OUTSTANDING! Your analysis anddedication is Extremely educating, and I'm a Canadian Liberal however we love everyone and are open to all opinions, and I have never held a gun in my 68 years on this planet. However I was born Canadian Airforce Base my dad fought WW2 and Korea and boy did he have stories for me! So you remind me of that: so I'll probably become a member - Cheers Mate!! Thank you for your service!!
My favorite show of all time!! My great Uncle was actually in Dog Company of the 506th and he died during a night patrol in Hageneu. Episode 8 hit real close to home.
Guys, First and foremost thank you for doing these beers and break downs I wish I could watch more of them. Within the first minute or so you brought a tearful smile to my face and a vision that I will truly cherish in the game of life. I found myself at the '88 airborne convention and got to hang out with quite a few WWII vets... loose math I'm guessing they were 70ish. We unassed a 141 over Louisville, KY; oh the joy of landing on hardball; popped a riser, laid there and moaned like a little girl. The dinner I found myself sitting beside a chaplain sporting 4 mustard stains. I had a thousand questions but couldn't think of the first one. His favorite question was, "hey Sonny, how 'bout gettin' us a couple of beers?" Hey, Sonny, can you carry more than two beers". Finally I asked the obvious one about the 4 combat jumps and he rattled off Sicily, Salerno, Normandy, and Nijmegen. I remember thinking to myself did he at the least carry a 1911 ... did he make for 4 combat jumps armed with a bible... I didn't ask. Watching multiple sticks of WWII vets do PLF's off of folding dinner tables after the formal dinner was good stuff.
Nailed it about the corrections/punishments thing. I was blown away by the kids who couldn't understand we were being set up to fail intentionally as part of the process
Ross did such a great f***ing job as Captain Sobel, he's so underrated in that role. The best project he ever did, absolutely fantastic.
So great you called him Ross
My uncle was a Lieutenant Colonel (Helicopter Pilot in Vietnam) in the Marine Corps and he would always tell me growing up when I would complain about how hard High school or college was or could be that the more you bleed while you are in training the less you will probably bleed when you are in actual combat. So true. So very true. Words to live by.
I've heard it said " sweat More in training bleed Less in battle"
This came out when i was 16 17 years old, and mj Spears actions and leadership in the series were always stuck in the back of my mind. It helped me immensely at work having a leadership position. This is my favourite series of all-time's and I watched and read the hell out of it and it's still doesn't get old.
YES! This was just as awesome as I thought it would - great episode & conversation guys. This is one of my favorite shows ever.
This show is a gem. Love the interviews with the wonderful service members.
25:12 He's surprised by LT winter running with them. LT winter aside duty at chow hall. But he heard easy going for that run, he's going to run with them.
I would have stayed in the mess hall and just got extra helpings of that spaghetti lol
Have you checked out Hamburger Hill or Tigerland yet?
You should read the story of the real Sobel. In real life he sounds like he was truly a small (in the figurative sense) man. Also, when I first saw this in 2000 I thought they really miscast Schwimmer. That was until I read the Band of Brothers book and saw pictures of the real Sobel. What an EXCELLENT job of casting, and that goes for pretty much the entire cast.
sadly he tried killing himself, went blind and sadly died later
@@akimbo5u yes, in Novato, CA, about 20 miles from me.
Good show boys, B&B has been on my priority 'to watch" list for some time and you guy's don't disappoint.
One of the many things about it that i like is that you don't spend so much time babbling about nerdy rivet counting and critiquing anachronistic pieces of equipment (which i am guilty of, often, mind you) or the esthetics of explosions and so on and much more about the 'mindset" aspect of things.
How a stereotypical soldier/operator "thinks", what goes thru the mind of such men and so on is a topic not often covered because weapons and tactics and whatnot are so much sexier to discuss and yet is critically important in understanding how wars are fought...
thanks man! well put!
Very interesting to listen to this talk. I can definitely relate to some of what was shared. Especially regarding growing up without a clear structure and understanding the heart language of people wanting your best. Thank you very much!
Band of Brothers is a top shelf show of any genre. Best of the best. The content you guys put out is also top shelf, keep killing it guys! Like, really hard. You all need money for the "Operation: Save Kurt From Tallahassee " fund.
lmao! love it!
This is what happens when you assemble Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, you get this masterpiece!!! The Pacific was also done by these two... And I also recommend watching it after Band of Brothers
Favorite war series ever. As a former infantry guy, they did an amazing job showing the relationships and daily interactions between soldiers on all levels (enlisted, NCOs and officers). Watched the series now more than 20 times and I pick up on different little details each time.
Hopefully those watching this understand that what you are witnessing on screen is extremely accurate to what happened to these men. At the beginning of each episode you see some of the men interviewed, those men are the real men of Easy Company. I was honored to have known a lot of these guys, toured battlefields with some of them. While the show is not perfect and there are some errors in it, Hanks, Speilberg and the rest did an amazing job. Most of the things you see in the show actually happened to someone in the Company. It is the best mini series ever and they did a fantastic job of capturing what these men went through, Heroes all of them.
Letting your Brother know he is never alone is important - in all aspects of life. Special Forces guys seem to have amazingly strong bond which is lucky even while you had to pay a large price for it.
Your explanation of the "they will find something wrong with you no matter what" game is great. Made me laugh, and instantly took me back to a CG inspection when I was a PFC, on Okinawa in 1977. We had just gone through our workup to go on float as one of the Marine Corps' two forward-deployed battalion landing teams, and this was the last inspection all the others had led up to.
I had busted my ass getting my gear and uniform ready and knew it was in good shape. The inspecting officer (from a different unit so he didn't know us) went over everything, then went over it again, then started laughing. He turned to me and said, "Well, PFC, you know I have to find something." Without looking back at my gear display, he thought for a second, then turned to the guy taking notes and said, "Sand in one canteen cover." Then he looked at me and said, "Good job," and went on to the next guy.
There's important text at the end of each episode, make sure you guys don't miss it!!!
I can't wait to see you guys cover more episodes from this fantastic show. Even just going over the next episode will be amazing. And as a side note, would love to see more hat designs for FNG.
This is going to be epic. This series is one of the best ever, looking forward to your insights.
Forced my daughter to watch the first episode. That's all it took. She's 16 and was a TSgt in the Civil Air Patrol when she was made to choose between volleyball and CAP (they won state in 7A the next season ✊). She was hooked & watched the entire series in a few days. That year a MOH recipient from Vietnam came to her school to talk to the kids. My daughter took pictures with him and thanked him for his service while telling her friends what his actions were that earned him the MOH. Can't recall his name but he was a Green Beret who with another teammate were the only 2 Americans on a fob full of dudes they'd coached up. During a day's long firefight with NV & after his teammate was gravely injured he kept up the fight and was credited with not only saving his teammate but saving the 60 something Arvin troops under his command. I read everything I could about the warrior and wish I could have met him. Show's like this are SO important to pass along what these warriors sacrificed & achieved.
Sounds a bit like Sgt Roy Benevidez (probably was a different receipient though).
@@andyjacobs7010 yeah different dude. I definitely know who Roy is. I'll look him up again.
YES IVE BEEN ASKING FOR THIS SINCE THE BEGINNING!
You have to watch the whole series. The Bastogne episodes were tough to watch. I really appreciate the realism. I felt like I was there and experiencing it with them.
Always remember the bond I had with my grandfather,listening to his stories of WW2 and Korea,and when I was 13 he told me deeper and more graphic stories.He knew a good many Easy Co. soldiers,most were from our area,70s and 80s alot of these vets were alive,I may of met a few and not even known,VFW was a big part of my family back then. RIP Pap and all veterans who lived long or died young for my freedoms.Today,yesterday,and the future.
This legendary HBO series is no doubt one of the best series ever made. `member how i convinced my mum in the early 2000s to buy me the special edition metal box with 6 DVDs in it, as in germany the series was only allowed to be sold to buyers who are at least 16 years old and i was to young to buy it for myself at that point in time... ^^
I watch Band of Brothers a lot. These men went through hell as brothers. They truly are the Greatest Generation for a reason! Thank you for your service! I think of Sobel (spelling) as someone who Easy needed to beat and train into the soldiers they became, and Winters was the leader they needed going in to combat.
Awesome episode. Really looking forward to the rest of the series!
Good shit, nice to see a vet's point of view on this fantastic show.
Love u guys, thanks for your material, It helps get me through the day. I listen to this and the behavior panel all day at work. Thank you SF.
Please do all the band of brothers episodes, make this a series 🙏🏼 one of the best shows I’ve seen
I took the ASVAB and the Army Recruiter literally handed me the big book of military careers and said, "Pick one. Anything. You qualify for anything."
And I told him, "I have a list." My father, who was a Vietnam era ranger, helped me put it together. As a result, I went to Intel School, went to language training, and after two years got into OCS. And I ended up getting out on a medical because an accident that left me on permanent disability. But if I had it to do it all again, I'd do it.
I knew a USMC Vietnam War veteran (infantry) who encouraged his sons and any young man he spoke to stay the fuck away from the Marine Corps and the Army period.
"The more you sweat in peace the less you bleed in war" wonderfull saying. Reminds me of my football days when the caption of the varsity team came to talk to us freshman. He said "we practice this hard, so the games are easy" that has helped me so much in life. I'm a hard worker, so I have less stressful days. Because I know I can handle it.
Somehow never knew you were from TX. What part are you from/got a video going into your background?
Great breakdown to one of my favorite shows. I can’t wait until episode 2 and the tactics they use
I really like your analysis of Sobel. In the first half of the episode we see him be a total a-hole but we also see that he is able to run up that mountain faster than anyone else in the company. He is able to "walk the walk". The soldiers hate him but keep training so they can finally prove Sobel wrong. In the second part we see him fail because he maintains this approach even though the men now reached the same level as him. He keeps micromanaging and refuses to listen to advice when he encounters trouble. He briefly earned the begrudging respect of his men and then he just wastes it away.
The men well and truly hated Sobel. He seems like he was an asshole and got the yips in the field.
I really enjoyed this discussion. It makes me appreciate the BOB series even more.
Now you've got so many shows on the backburner now (still waiting for you to change your ways with the Terminal List hehe). At the rate of an episode a week, it can literally take years to go through them all. To a hundred years of Beers and Breakdowns!
I think Buck is sticking to his guns on Terminal List but hopefully he’ll eventually break down and recognize the brilliance of the first 3 episodes where you’re just as confused as Pratt’s character… which was the point… you experience it with him. Not until Jack Carr shows up do you know for sure what’s happening.
My grandpa fought in North Africa, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany with the British 3rd Tank Regiment and later the 11th Armoured Division. He was a sergeant and commanded a tank. He never talked about the war, not to me anyway. Guy was my hero growing up. He fought in Normandy, Market Garden and Bastogne, so this show always reminds me personally of him and his amazing generation. Enjoy. It's one of the best pieces of tv ever made.
I love the part in the next episode when Easy company prank Sobel during the field test 😂. hopefully you guys breakdown the rest of the show.
Dale Dye (he plays the Colonel in the show) was the technical advisor and trained the actors. He intentionally separated David Schwimmer (Sobel) from the men during the training so that they'd have zero chemistry on camera and seem separated.
He did the same thing during Saving Private Ryan with Matt Damon and the rest of the cast.
I love your videos; you are such a smart guy and do a great job explaining things.
Personally, I always love it when Abel makes it onto a video. I love the chemistry between the two of you
Keep doing what you do!
Thank you! Will do!
The best thing ever was that time when Buck was explaining to him what to do when you have a dud round in a mortar, and Abel was looking at him as if he was some kind of alien.
I’m a subscriber now. I’ve had the band of brothers DVD on rotation since 2000.
Did you know the actor who plays Lt. Buck Compton went on to play one of the Howling Commandos in Captain America The First Avenger? His first line in that movie was, “One day, I’m gonna have a stick of my own.”
In Band of Brothers, he certainly did.
You know how many weeks of running miles upon miles upon miles of running that only cadence kept me going ? Thank you for the past memories . Your mind is your greatest enemy or your greatest friend . USMC 1982
Everytime I hear the soundtrack at the beginning of band of brothers it brings me to tears it’s so good. Wait til you get to the last episode all I’ll say those aren’t just random ww2 vets
From Toccoa, Ga., currently in Virginia; it's always good to get any excuse to see Currahee. Thanks
Watching you talk about leadership reminded me of one of my favourite war movies of all time: 12 O'clock High. Have you guys seen it? It is pretty much a study in leadership.
It's based on a book on Easy Company. Read it.
You know a lot about enlisted stuff, but you're a little short on understanding life as an officer.
First as an officer you realize the look on Sobel's face as lieutenant Winters runs up the hill was amazement that Winters finished his mess hall duty and join the run.
Second captain sobel did not get promoted about his job at easy company to a school. We got passed over and sent from a combat job to a non-combat job which will look bad on his promotion board. That's why Captain Winter made major before Captain Sobel.
When you get fired in the military is not like being fired in the civilian world. You're still getting paid and you have to find something for them to do.
Being a bad leader is not an NJP offense. Sobel was good at training as you point out but terrible in combat operations so they moved him.
Finally they did not make up a script and have characters do what the author's wanted. They took what really happened in life and sobel's actions were meant to reflect what really happened.
Overall your evaluation of leadership and consequences its outstanding
Just my two cents about officers.
When MARSOC started there was an Infantry unit and 2 Force Recon units that were grandfathered in. The Force Recon Marines very much went through many selection processes.
Buck, your life experiences are extensive in and out of the military and you're unbelievably entertaining to watch and listen to but I gotta say the things that are most obvious about you are your accumulated wisdom and understanding of everything that you've done so far in life. Your "common sense" is off the charts Brother
I'm glad that we have two 5 star generals to explain to us strategy and tactics in band of brothers.
I've noticed this too. So they were "Spethal Forthez" and now somehow they are experts on everything without ever having gone to any military academy like west point. Social media feeds their over inflated egos which is something SF veterans from the past never had a problem with. The OG's were humble, quiet and unassuming. Today's "Spethal Forthez" are narcissistic and self-centered. Look at me, look at me.... 😆🤣😆🤣
@@thecommentary21 😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆💯
when you read up on Captain Sobel there is a lot to respect about him. He truly wanted his men to be the finest unit in the regiment. He wanted them to be the best. He went to the CO when one of his Lt's was going to be declared unfit and fought for them to stay in the unit. He was a dedicated by the book officer and loved his unit. However he also was not good at combat leadership and that lead to problems. Post war his kids talk about how amazing he was as a person. Never swore or raised his voice, cooked pancakes for all the neighborhood kids on sundays.
I really enjoyed this series and have watched it a few times as I have the boxed set. My Dad was a WWll vet served in the Pacific and really never talked about it till I went in the Navy and was in the Pacific as well. I too like him was Gator Navy and I guess he knew that I would now understand what he went through. I can only imagine as we were never involved in the type of operations they were so I have the upmost respect for those guys. He was an assault boat coxswain which meant he took the Marines into the beach and as he said they were really trying to kill me. He also said they never slept below deck in their bunks one because of the heat but they never knew when they would be attacked so they slept on deck in their uniforms close to their guns.
outstanding Breakdowns guys you explained everything perfectly
Really appreciate your insight.👍🏾💪🏽
I really appreciate you telling the truth on the pay vs. health issue. My childhood friend went to Iraq in 2007. The guy that came back was...very different. I think he’s homeless now, it’s been 4 years since I’ve seen him.
OMG OMG I'm grown up adult but screaming like a kid right now because BoB is all I been wanting you to react
I miss Texas. Been a long time since I was back there.
I watch this series every year! So good!
You paused to talk very often, but never talked too much. Excellent breakdowns! Nailed that bit about the self-doubt. I bet that can have a huge impact on your mental state if you were lost in the woods or a novice at navigation.
From Tallahassee here. The reason it's so expensive flying from there is because the airport is VERY small, it's just a regional airport with like 6 gates maybe. If he is able to drive 2-2.5 hours to Jacksonville, flying out of there is usually a lot cheaper across the board because JAX is an international airport and is way bigger.
D-Day prep was possibly the most exacting example of Military life for a soldier in a war-time environment.
"Hurry up, and Wait."
"The Rock" is a classic that introduced me to what Navy Seals and Special Ops are in general.
This was quality, looking forward to you going over the rest as well
The first episode is in some ways my favorite, if only for the innocence and the fact that I know what lies ahead for these men. This was when their biggest threats were "Army noodles with ketchup." I love the power move Winters makes by literally grabbing the pen out of Sobel's hand while he was abusing his power...it's brilliant, and a true story. Hard to call this a TV show honestly, it's a 12 hour Saving Private Ryan in quality...CURRAHEE! ♠
Toccoa Ga has an amazing museum with a fantastic staff and you can run Currahee Mt. 3 Miles Up-3 Miles down.
“Nobody uses white light!!!! Goddamn it!!” My favorite quote.
I watch this series yearly. 6/6 and Christmas. I have read all the books written by the members of Easy Company. I think your evaluation of the episode is spot on. Will you be doing the other episodes as well? And have you seen the whole series yet, or are you breaking these down as you watch them for the first time??
14:14 Yessir. Sometimes we were wrong just for being right.