Thayer Movie Club: Lessons Learned From Military Movies

Not only are movies entertaining, but they also deliver strong messages that transcend time. Over the past six weeks, we shared a list of more than fifty military movies that offer leadership lessons in a unique way. Whether it be the mass escape by Allied soldiers in The Great Escape, the pursuit behind enemy lines to retrieve a paratrooper in Saving Private Ryan, or the decade-long mission to locate and eliminate al-Qaeda terrorist leader, Osama bin Laden, in Zero Dark Thirty, these films tell stories that connect people together and exemplify the seven values of the U.S. Army - Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage.

Thayer faculty shared what movies sit at the top of their list and the connection they make to them. Specifically, COL (Ret.) Lee Van Arsdale provided his thoughts on Black Hawk Down, a movie he served as the military advisor for due to his personal involvement in the mission the movie is based upon. The next time you sit down to watch a movie, pay careful attention to the leadership lessons weaved throughout and seize the opportunity to gain a new perspective and develop as a leader.

Read more about the titles we included in our Thayer Movie Club here.