Fact: Don't always believe what you see just because it's on T.V. or in a movie. Even if it has Mr. or Ms. Famous Movie Star, it doesn't mean it's accurate. The bottom line is that the Hollywood machine is out to make money and to fill the seats. There are all kinds of ways and reasoning behind adjusting the "truth" and there have been times when the Hollywood machine simply doesn't care about being accurate. Also, very often in Hollywood movies or T.V. shows with military uniforms either have the wrong patches/rank/medals; they are placed improperly on the uniform; they are wearing the wrong color beret, and/or wearing it incorrectly. If you really want to have an entertaining movie experience, invite an Active Duty Military Service Member or Veteran to a movie based on the military unit there are a member of or have experience with (especially in reference to their service experience) and see what they say about the accuracy.

According to an article titled Movie Blunders, in U.S. Military Officer Magazine, May 2008, "[Motion pictures and television shows] are dramatic productions, so by definition there has to be come artistic license granted to them," explains Philip Strub, special assistant for Entertainment Media, U.S. Department of Defense, whose job is to work with filmmakers who would like to use military personnel and equipment. Mr. Strub also states, in the article, "that the amount of leeway the DoD grants a production in regards to accuracy depends on many factors."