Fresh and innovative, Patrol Base Jaker is a captivating retelling of the remarkable history of Afghanistan from the Russian invasion to the current U.S. counterinsurgency operation. Walk in the boots of the Marine combat and civil affairs teams in Helmand Province, Afghanistan as they fight to turn the tide against a resurgent Taliban and Al Qaeda. Travel to the front lines where U.S. Marines stand at a wicked intersection of war, radical Islam, international drug trade, reconstruction, and a counterinsurgency strategy designed to reestablish the rule of law in Afghanistan.

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Did you ever hear Jimmy Carter sound like a war hawk? Neither had we. Until we saw Patrol Base Jaker. Seriously, check out the trailer and you won’t believe your ears. And this is no Michael Moore hatchet job either…piecing together sound bytes to create some sort of Franken-statement. It’s all authentic Jimmy.

But aside from the shockingly pro-military statements from Carter (and Obama, by the way) what we really loved about PBJ is the fact that it documents a tremendous US military success story in Afghanistan…the kind you’ll never find in the pages of the New York Times or on any of the so-called “mainstream” news networks.

For an independent film financed by friends and family, the production value is truly amazing: exceptional cinematography, excellent pacing, and a great score – including an original song by OAR created just for this film. The film begins with an engaging historical dramatization, an effective technique not often used with success in documentaries. Directed by David Scantling (one of the producers of Brothers at War, which earned the GI Film Festival’s “Best Feature Documentary” award in 2008), PBJ is an overall great film.

This film will premiere Friday, 14 May at 6:30 pm in Washington DC at the GI Film Festival. The evening’s programming will also include the world premiere of Starting Strong, a new reality show created, produced and narrated by award-winning actor Ricky Schroder for the US Army.

Starting Strong is a high-adrenaline new television show. The show provides a real potential Army recruit with an up close and personal Army experience in the field of his choice. The candidate is then asked to make a life-changing decision — to either join the Army or remain a civilian.

Tickets for this event are $40 and include a VIP reception following the films with directors David Scantling and Ricky Schroder. If you can’t attend the screening, please consider sending a soldier in your place.

The GI Film Festival, founded in 2007 by husband and wife team Brandon and Laura Millett, is a 501-c-3 non-profit organization whose mission is to honor the men and women in uniform.