American Veteran
pbs documentaries

American Veteran

Season 1
Today, America has nearly 18 million living military veterans, from the "Greatest Generation" to men and women coming home from recent tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. This film illuminates the veteran experience with a moving range of voices from today and across the arc of American history. Narrated by veterans Drew Carey, Senator Tammy Duckworth, Wes Studi and J.R. Martinez.
IMDb 8.020214 episodesX-RayTV-14
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Episodes

  1. S1 E1 - The Crossing

    October 25, 2021
    55min
    TV-14
    "There is a very stark line between before boot camp and after boot camp," a veteran recalls. As recruits take the oath to serve, they leave the civilian world to become a soldier, sailor, marine, airman or woman. This is the start of their transformation. Narrated by TV host and former Marine Drew Carey.
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  2. S1 E2 - The Mission

    November 1, 2021
    55min
    TV-14
    Military life shapes service men and women in profound and unexpected ways. A young Coast Guard recruit who helped ferry soldiers to fight and die on D-Day. A pilot based in Nevada who remotely guided bomber drones over Afghanistan. A young Marine who rose to become the first Latina general. Narrated by Senator Tammy Duckworth, Iraq War veteran (Army) and Purple Heart recipient.
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  3. S1 E3 - The Return

    November 8, 2021
    55min
    TV-14
    The road back to civilian life can be uncertain. For some, there were ticker tape parades; for others, protests, anger and silence. Some veterans recall the confidence they brought home, while others remember thinking, "What am I going to do now?" Narrated by actor Wes Studi, Vietnam War veteran (National Guard) and Native American (Cherokee) activist.
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  4. S1 E4 - The Reckoning

    November 15, 2021
    55min
    TV-14
    "Those who went into the service and those who did not, we are two different realities," a veteran decides. But there are differences from vet to vet, too. Reflecting on their service, veterans ask how they and civilians can move America forward together. Narrated by J.R. Martinez, Army veteran, actor and motivational speaker.
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