PBS’s “Carrier”: Life In The Fleet At Sea
(apparently if you’re like me and don’t watch TV, let alone have cable, you can watch the episodes online starting tomorrow).
Kudos to the Navy for greenlighting this PBS project which is airing this week April 27-May 1.
The creators had near-total editorial freedom and present crew members on the nuclear aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-6 
for an entire six month deployment to the Persian Gulf. They interviewed hundreds of the 5,000 sailors and Marines onboard while focusing largely on more than a dozen individuals, ranging from a fighter pilot to a ship’s cook.
Everything from sex on the boat to disillusionment with the mission is captured, as well as daily living conditions, challenges and the mission each crew member plays a part in achieving.
Above all else, the series profiles a unique band of individuals who the American people have perhaps never seen before, except for split second viewings in a movie like “Top Gun” or a TV show like “JAG”. The human growth (and failure) that occurs when pushed to your physical and emotional limits is eloquently profiled. Truly a must see if you have any interest in the Navy or the youth that join the Navy and serve their country.
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I have been watching the Carrier series with much interest. I served aboard the USS Constellation CV 64 for seven months in 1979. It was my second ship. Watching this film has reminded me how I d “Carrier Life.” The film has depicted life aboard a carrier accurately, has far as I am concerned.
Indeed, they have done an excellent job thus far. I was impressed when the CO went off on the 1MC after the man overboard… my supervisor on the Lincoln was on that Nimitz deployment and had told me that story last spring during GQ and I thought he was pulling my leg but he quoted the CO verbatium. Apparently the crew was quite fond of the CMC & CO, especially their creation of various mentorship programs on the ship for the lower enlisted.
Starting things off in the mess was a good idea too, its something Robert Kaplan was careful to do when he wrote about being on several ships and subs in his book “Hog Pilots, Blue Water Grunts”.
Thanks for commenting!
Been DVR’ing the series. Extremely good.
Dan,
Definitely, they capture so much… I’m just floored a documentary about the Navy could be so good and so detailed. Just a few medium issues that I haven’t seen yet but hopefully will before its over.
It was a good cross section of what it’s like being in the service; all people, all the time.
Hard work, long hours, teamwork, dangerous, one or two bad eggs, doubts about how useful it is, constant thoughts of back home, wonderful depiction and well done.
After watching the PBS series Carrier, I was uterlly dissapointed. This show did a horrible job depicting what the US Navy is actually about. I have been in the Navy for almost 8 years now and watching this show made me sick to my stomach. All PBS cared about was showing the Sailors with the most juicy stories. If I was not in the Navy and I watched that show, I would think that all Sailors are worthless, just like most of the Sailors that had exclusive spots on that show. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate every military person that serves our country, just like me, but what PBS did was ridiculous. The majority of the Sailors in the US Navy are fine outstanding individuals that love their job and don’t complain constantly like the “STARS” of the show did. I think PBS needs to do a better job of showing the real Navy and not picking the “Real World” (MTV Show) type Sailors. HORRIBLE!!
After watching the PBS series Carrier, I was utterly disappointed. This show did a horrible job depicting what the US Navy is actually about. I have been in the Navy for almost 8 years now and watching this show made me sick to my stomach. All PBS cared about was showing the Sailors with the most juicy stories. If I was not in the Navy and I watched that show, I would think that all Sailors are worthless, just like most of the Sailors that had exclusive spots on that show. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate every military person that serves our country, just like me, but what PBS did was ridiculous. The majority of the Sailors in the US Navy are fine outstanding individuals that love their job and don’t complain constantly like the “STARS” of the show did. I think PBS needs to do a better job of showing the real Navy and not picking the “Real World” (MTV Show) type Sailors. HORRIBLE!!
I think they did focus too much on the personalities, but then again, I didn’t see that many malcontents.
As a supervisor, I did spend 90% of my time with 10% of my people, and to be honest, in spite of the times they pissed me off and drove me up a wall, I found that when those who overcame their personal crap or their character and work defects succeeded, I received a great sense of satisfaction from that. They do play a key role, much as we hate to admit sometimes. A few of the most troubled also tend to have the most potential
I found the majority of the people I worked with often very interesting people with fascinating stories. Or at least very unique features and backgrounds.
They did make it too much of a “Real World Fleet” type, but I understand that even documentaries and award winning directors have to make some trade-offs most of the time.
Thank you for commenting.
That picture has got to be from battlestations 21…. The floor looks the same and everything….