Ep 14. Where Soldiers Come From

Where Soldiers Come From is the fourteenth episode of the 24th season of the award-winning documentary series, POV. The episode follows the journey of three childhood friends from a small town in Michigan who enlist in the National Guard following their high school graduation, before being deployed to Afghanistan. The episode explores the complex relationships between families, friends, and communities, and the psychological toll that war takes on those who serve and their loved ones.

The episode begins with footage of the three protagonists, Dominic, Cole, and Bodi, goofing around and dreaming about their future as they approach their high school graduation. The narrator explains that these three boys were part of a close-knit community in rural Michigan, where military service was seen as a way to gain skills, respect, and a sense of purpose. Against the backdrop of a weak job market and limited opportunities in their hometown, they decided to join the National Guard, seeing it as a chance to earn money for college, travel the world, and serve their country.

The episode then follows the three friends through basic training, where they endure grueling physical and mental challenges that test their resolve and bond them together. We see them struggle with homesickness, discipline, and authority, but also experience moments of camaraderie and humor. The episode uses interviews with the soldiers, as well as footage shot by themselves and their families, to give a sense of their personalities, motivations, and fears.

Once the basic training is completed, the three friends return home for a brief period of leave, where they reconnect with their families, friends, and partners. It is during this time that the episode starts to delve into the emotional toll that military service takes on the soldiers and their loved ones. We see the boys struggling to fit back into their old lives, to communicate their experiences, and to reconcile their expectations with the reality of war. We also see their families grappling with the fear of losing their children, the pride in their service, and the uncertainty of what will happen when they return.

The second half of the episode follows Dominic, Cole, and Bodi as they are deployed to Afghanistan and tasked with clearing roads for convoys. The episode presents footage of the harsh and often chaotic conditions they face, including attacks from insurgents and the constant threat of improvised explosive devices. We see how the soldiers rely on their training, instincts, and each other to survive and fulfill their mission. The episode remains balanced in showing the human toll of combat on both the soldiers and the Afghan people that they meet.

The episode also touches upon the issue of PTSD. Through interviews with veterans, experts, and medical professionals, it highlights the long-term psychological impact of combat on soldiers and their families. The episode doesn't just show the impact, but makes an effort to provide resources for those that may be suffering from the effects of PTSD.

The episode concludes with the three soldiers returning to their hometown, having completed their deployment. The episode shows the challenges they face in readjusting to civilian life, including nightmares, flashbacks, and physical injuries. We see how they continue to rely on each other for support and how their experiences have changed their perspectives on themselves and the world around them.

Overall, Where Soldiers Come From is a powerful and poignant portrayal of the experiences of young soldiers and the impact of war on their lives. Through its intimate and honest approach, the episode invites viewers to empathize with the soldiers and their families, to question the motivations and consequences of military service, and to reflect on the human cost of war.