MovieChat Forums > Courage Under Fire (1996) Discussion > Why would they have a Captain flying a m...

Why would they have a Captain flying a medical helicopter?

posted 15 years ago by jgroub
15 replies | jump to latest

I have no military background, except what Hollywood has "taught" me, so go easy. Just wondering - seems like you wouldn't need someone of so high a rank to fly a helicopter. Is it required that an officer fly a helicopter?

Same question about tanks - the guy that Denzel's character killed was a Lieutenant, and Denzel was a Lt. Col. At that prayer meeting before the action, were they all officers there? It seems like an awful lot of officers for a bunch of tanks. Is it required that a tank be commanded by an officer?

I asked the doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well.

[–] tbeller80 15 years ago

Army helicopter pilots are either officers or warrant officers. The officers fly for several years but also command the units. Warrant officers (like her copilot) fly for their entire career. Denzel was the battalion commander and the other officers were likely his company commanders (4 companies per battalion). Most tanks are commanded by NCOs, but the officers over them also have their own tanks. Denzel's battalion probably had 60 tanks or more, with about a third of them led by officers.

[–] jgroub 15 years ago

Thanks.

I asked the doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] jporter-6 14 years ago

" . . . plus unlike the Navy, Captain isnt that high a rank in the Army."

Just ask Pierce and Hunnicut.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] GreyHunter 14 years ago

They're the main characters in M*A*S*H*. Except in early seasons of the show, when it was Pierce and Trapper. Both were civilian doctors given the rank of Captain as soon as they entered the army.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] movie_fan59 13 years ago

Considering that an Army captain outranks all enlisted personnel and all grades of Warrant Officer, it is a fairly high rank. But in comparison to a Navy captain it is a lower rank.

Navy - Ensign, Lt. j.g., Lt., Lt. Commander, Commander, Captain

Army - 2nd Lt., 1st Lt., Captain, Major, Lt. Colonel, Colonel

[–] Hungry_Mind 13 years ago

To be honest, Captain are not really high up the chain in all officer grade. Normally you only need 5-7 year of service and you will be promoted to Captain in the Army. IT's about 28-31 years of age. (Consider normal path 3 year University degree + 1.5 year OCS + 0.5 year professional training.

Capt would definitely still be flying, some fly even when they get to LtCol (Which take about 15-20 year to reach) THe only different with Officer and Warrant Officer in US Army is the command ability, much a like the corporal and spec rank.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] jmarsnatlght 12 years ago

Pilots have been officers since the early days of aerial warfare. The reason being that officers receive better treatment in POW camps than enlisted personnel (at least up through WWII) should they be shot down over enemy territory.

[–] bobby_allen 13 years ago

The bigger question was why did she have combatants in the helicopter with her. The was a medical helicopter, for rescue missions and not equipped for combat.

However, when she decided to become combatants then she and her crew were not protected by the Geneva convention and the enemy could fire at them.

[–] GreyHunter 13 years ago

Because the other side doesn't always obey the Geneva Convention and self-defense capabilities are often wise?

[–] herbsuperb 12 years ago

I'm pretty sure that a bunch of Iraqi conscripts raised to think, and told repeatedly by Saddam, that Americans are the great satan of the world stopped and thought "Hey, that American helicopter is for medical purposes, I'd better consult the copy of the Geneva Convention I keep in my pocket first. That will tell me whether or not I can shoot my crumby AK at it".

[–] 12 years ago

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