Screening of “Citizen Soldier” at Grayson College on Nov. 10

For Colt Floyd, Grayson College student veteran, “Citizen Soldier” isn’t just a movie; it’s personal.

But then again, “Citizen Soldier” isn’t just a movie; it’s actual footage taken between June 2011 and June 2012 during the height of the surge in Afghanistan. It covers the perilous situation faced by the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and particularly that of Alpha Company 1/179 Infantry. 

On Friday, Nov. 10, Grayson College will host a screening of “Citizen Soldier” in the Center for Workplace Learning (CWL) Auditorium beginning at 6:30 p.m. Prior to the movie, there will be a meet-and-greet with Floyd as well as Raymond Viel from the film.

“There were about 130 of us total at Combat Outpost Najil in Laghman, Province, in northeast Afghanistan,” said Floyd, “and within 90 days, we lost 14.”

“Citizen Soldier” tells the true story of young men and women who one day were working 9-5 jobs and the next day were deploying to the front lines of war. It uses real footage from multiple cameras, including go-pros, to give the audience an authentic look at combat.

“This movie is not a glamorized, Hollywood rendition of war,” said Floyd.

Floyd says that he gets emotional when watching it but that it’s been good for him, and that it has helped with reintegration. He hopes it will do the same for other veterans as well as their family members who may not fully understand what veterans encounter while serving.

“My intent is to help others by using it as a tool for reintegration,” said Floyd.

While the screening is free, organizers request that attendees register and obtain a ticket through EventBrite. Follow this link https://www.eventbrite.com/e/citizen-soldier-tickets-38955472868?aff=es2  or go to www.eventbrite.com and search for “Citizen Soldier.”