Citizen Soldier (2016) Plot Summary Explained

A Citizen Soldier refers to members of the National Guard who serve part-time while also maintaining civilian careers. In the film, these are Oklahoma National Guard soldiers who transitioned from ordinary 9-to-5 jobs to combat roles in Afghanistan, representing the idea that ordinary citizens can be called to serve their country during wartime.

• citizen soldier
• national guard
• oklahoma thunderbirds

Sgt. Eran Harrill chose to postpone his degree when his unit received deployment orders because he felt a duty to serve his country first. As a natural leader and devoted single father, he prioritized his military commitment over his education, seeing service as his immediate responsibility when the nation called.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes show Eran as a dedicated student pursuing his degree, making his decision to pause it more impactful.

• eran harrill
• deployment
• sacrifice
• college degree

The soldiers used multiple cameras, including helmet cams, to capture their daily lives and combat experiences. This first-person perspective provides raw, real-world footage that immerses viewers directly into the chaos and intensity of their deployment.

• helmet cam
• documentary footage
• soldiers filming

The 45th Thunderbirds Brigade is an Oklahoma National Guard Infantry Company that was deployed to one of Afghanistan's most dangerous regions during the troop surge. Their mission involved combat operations, protecting local communities, and forging relationships with Afghan civilians.

• 45th thunderbirds
• oklahoma national guard
• afghanistan mission

Unlike fictional war movies, Citizen Soldier uses actual combat footage filmed by the soldiers themselves, providing an authentic documentary perspective rather than dramatized storytelling. The film chronicles real soldiers' actual experiences, emphasizing genuine emotional toll and true brotherhood rather than Hollywood narrative structures.

• documentary vs fictional
• real footage
• authentic war story

The soldiers carried both physical and emotional scars back to civilian life in Oklahoma. The transition was bittersweet, as they had to readjust to normal life while dealing with the trauma, memories, and lasting impact of their combat experiences.

• returning home
• ptsd
• reintegration
• civilian life

The separation from families weighed heavily on the soldiers throughout their deployment. The film shows how the emotional toll of combat was intertwined with worries about loved ones at home, with the soldiers drawing motivation from the love and support they received from their families.

• families
• separation
• military families
• home front

The unit faced some of the most intense fighting of the war during their deployment. The film presents chaotic and harrowing combat situations that tested the soldiers' resilience, camaraderie, and mental fortitude under constant danger.

• combat
• fighting
• afghanistan war
• intense combat

The film emphasizes how National Guard members often juggle civilian careers with military duties, serving in conflicts that have persisted since September 2001. This highlights the unique sacrifice of Citizen Soldiers who leave their normal lives to deploy when their nation calls.

• national guard
• post-9/11
• military service
• citizen soldier

As part of their mission, the soldiers forged relationships with local Afghan communities. These interactions illustrate the broader goal of securing peace and understanding in a war-torn region, showing the human side of military operations beyond combat.

• afghan communities
• local relationships
• partnership
• peace

The soldiers underwent a transformation from ordinary citizens to combat veterans, experiencing fear, camaraderie, loss, and resilience. The film captures the heavy emotional weight of war, including the courage displayed under fire and the lasting impact on their lives.

• emotional journey
• courage
• brotherhood
• transformation
• trauma

The film is described as resembling a modern-day Band of Brothers, focusing on the intense bonds of brotherhood formed between soldiers. Like that acclaimed series, it emphasizes the relationships, sacrifices, and shared experiences that define military service.

• band of brothers
• comparison
• brotherhood
• military documentary