The film, “Fort Bliss” (2014), directed by Claudia Meyers provides an intimate look at the complex reality of the post-deployment experience in the military. What is so fascinating about this film is that it does so from a woman’s point of view. The film tells the honest story of Maggie, a single mother played by actress Michelle Monaghan, who comes back from serving in Afghanistan as a decorated Army medic to her 5-year-old son who sees her as more of a stranger than a mother. Though fictitious, you feel connected to the life of single-mom Maggie and sense the resonating truth of her story and the film. The movie is less about war and more about a woman’s struggle between defending her country, coming back, and being there for her family. 

Maggie’s character inspires greater recognition of the achievements of women in the military. Not only does she play a role rarely seen of women in Hollywood movies,  she also represents leadership and a person of authority in a very male-dominated career. She stands up for herself when a male soldier questions her authority; she proves her skill when questioned and she puts up a tough exterior that some would label as “masculine.” The film also highlights some of the unique challenges that she faces as a female military leader, including her return to motherhood and a life she no longer knows how to live. 

The movie highlights some of the expectations American culture places on women who enter the military. Very few would question the return of a father to Afghanistan for his next deployment but Maggie is questioned for wanting to return to the military. Motherhood does not come as naturally to Maggie as it is expected to. For Maggie, motherhood becomes more difficult than removing a piece of live ammunition from a soldier’s abdomen, which she succeeds in doing in the first few minutes of the film. The movie tackles the debate of which job is more important: her job as a mother or her job saving lives in the military. In the end, you are still divided which is best for her and if she ended up making the right choice. 

The film tackles these important issues facing women in the military and sparks a conversation about the expectations and reality of women in leadership roles. The film does this by discussing the unique challenges female soldiers face as they readjust to civilian life, and how the stress of deployment affects the whole family. This hidden cost of war is not sufficiently acknowledged and understood by civilians, which is why “Fort Bliss” does such a good job recognizing the difficulties women (and men) face upon deployment and reintegration into civilian life. 

While the issues portrayed in this film mainly center around the struggles of a mother serving in the military, the film also tackles some other difficult realities of Army life including soldier reintegration, post-traumatic stress/survivor’s guilt, sexual assault and toll of deployment on the family and children. The movie captures the raw emotions that many soldiers feel when transitioning back to a life at home. 

“Fort Bliss” was recognized as “Best Narrative Feature” of the 2014 GI Film Festival and just won “Best Independent Feature” at the TIVA-DC Peer Awards. Actress Michelle Monaghan has also received praise for her role in the film, with The Hollywood Reporter calling her performance Oscar-worthy. While it hasn’t gotten the promotion it deserves throughout Hollywood, the movie is certainly worth the watch.

There will be a screening of the film “Fort Bliss” at American University today from 7-10pm in the Malsi Doyle and Michael Forman Theater (room 201) in the McKinley Building. Following the screening will be a panel discussion featuring veterans and other military personnel who will offer their perspective on the film.