America’s Army: Inside the World’s Most Powerful Military Force

With nearly 1.5 million soldiers and a budget of 700 billion dollars, the US army is the most powerful military force in the world. Present on all continents, it imposes American hard power abroad and helps manage natural disasters or national emergencies at home. Yet, as evident in Vietnam or Afghanistan, being the world’s largest army isn’t always a guarantee of success…

In America, special forces soldiers are living legends. And the Best Ranger Competition attracts the best of the best in a gruelling series of trials lasting three days. We follow Joshua and Ryan through the competition. Owen and Carter, 18, were recently approached by a recruitment officer. In a country where health insurance costs up to 800 dollars per month and university fees are $50,000 per year, they’re attracted by army’s promise of free health care and scholarships. 

For the teenaged students at Missouri’s Military Academy, every minute of their day is strictly regulated. Their parents pay $34,000 a year in the hope that an army education will open up opportunities for them in societies. Former Navy Seal, Eli Crane, has started a successful business making bottle openers from bullets. His clients include Clint Eastwood and George W Bush. But many ex-combatants feel abandoned by society. Approximately 6,000 veterans commit suicide each year and countless others, like Zook and Hog, struggle with PTSD.