LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Filmmaker Jake Rademacher saw first-hand the proudest moment in many new Airmen's lives when he visited Lackland March 27.
The director of "Brothers at War" watched 748 trainees graduate from Air Force Basic Military Training and begin their career as new Airmen.
"It hit me right in the heart," Mr. Rademacher said about the ceremony. "I remember standing on a field similar to this at Fort Benning while watching my youngest brother graduate from Army basic training."
Having been to Iraq multiple times, going on 25 missions with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, conducting 35 interviews and gathering 400 hours of video tape for his documentary, he knows what is in store for many of the Airmen.
"I've been over to Iraq quite a few times," he said. "I've seen Airmen and Soldiers over there in action and what struck me was the knowledge of what these young men and women are getting themselves into. It gave me a lot of pride to watch all of them put their hand up and take that (oath)."
"Brothers at War" follows Mr. Rademacher to Iraq, and documents his experiences as he tries to understand what motivates his two military brothers to serve their country by being Soldiers. The film follows him to Iraq, where he shadows his brother on his second deployment in Mosul and follows a 23-year-old sniper and Army Ranger, both in the 82nd Abn. Div.
Though the film primarily follows the 82nd Abn. Div., an Air Force unit is the first unit featured. Mr. Rademacher flew into Iraq on a C-130 Hercules and talked with the crew about their role in the war. He said he was impressed with the Airmen he got to meet. "We had great conversations. (Airmen are) very in tune with their brothers in arms who are serving in the infantry. I was very touched."
Poor eyesight kept Mr. Rademacher from attending the U.S. Military Academy, in West Point, N.Y., but his brothers have been deployed a total of seven times to Iraq and Afghanistan. The documentary is an opportunity to support the troops by showing a side of the war not normally seen by the American public.
"In 2004, (my brothers) told me that what I was watching on the news didn't exactly capture the experience they were having overseas," he said. "Spending four months embedded in combat units gave me an even deeper respect for the people serving on the front lines.
"I really feel like the best part of my generation is serving overseas. And I think the Airmen I had an opportunity to talk to and meet are indicative of that."