History Fridge / FullMetalJacket

* Why do the two halves of the film seem like two separate movies? Because it shows how different war and boot camp are. They may try to prepare you for what happens in war, but training and trying to shoot people while they try to kill you and your comrades are not the same thing.

** In addition to this is when Pyle snaps. In addition to meeting the quota standards, the "Project 100,000" was also intended to give these men additional training by using the "new" technology such as videotapes and computer analyses (which [=McNamara=] believed would make the men trainable), ensuring they would be able to apply for specialty positions and thus stay out of infantry. Unfortunately, the training [=McNamara=] believed would help was unable to be provided entirely, and we know now that wasn't the end-all, be-all solution he was hoping it to be. Pyle was most likely promised that he'd be trained for a specialty position as a member of the "New Standards Men" when he enlisted... and finding out he was going to be sent off to be cannon fodder anyway [[DespairEventHorizon broke him]].

** Even though many people have said (rightfully) that Hartman's [[TooDumbToLive yelling at Pyle while Pyle was clearly unhinged and carrying a loaded rifle was a dumb idea at best]]... it does make sense considering that he believed cowing Pyle into submission by shouting would work like it had in the past. Unfortunately, he didn't recognize that Joker's kindness and willingness to help Pyle was probably the only thing that kept Pyle from snapping sooner. If Hartman had kept talking to Pyle as Joker was doing, he might've been able to convince Pyle to put down the weapon sooner.

** In addition to this is when Pyle snaps. In addition to meeting the quota standards, the "Project 100,000" was also intended to give these men additional training by using the "new" technology such as videotapes and computer analyses (which [=McNamara=] believed would make the men trainable), ensuring they would be able to apply for specialty positions and thus stay out of infantry. Unfortunately, the training [=McNamara=] believed would help was unable to be provided entirely, and we know now that wasn't the end-all, be-all solution he was hoping it to be. Pyle was most likely promised that he'd be trained for a specialty position as a member of the "New Standards Men" when he was drafted/enlisted... and finding out he was going to be sent off to be cannon fodder anyway [[DespairEventHorizon broke him]].

** For another take, Hartman was simply [[DefiantToTheEnd refusing to give Pyle the satisfaction (in his own mind at least) of begging for his life. You'll notice, he only berates Pyle once he levels his rifle to kill him. And so, rather than beg for his life, he decides to twist in the knife one last time.

* How did Leonard "Gomer Pyle" Lawrence get into the Marines at all? He’s clearly unfit both physically and mentally for service. The Boot Camp segment takes place in 1967 or late '66, after "Project 100,000" was put in place, and he’s one of the "New Standards Men." Robert S. [=McNamara=], Secretary of Defense under JFK and LBJ, had the [[SarcasmMode brilliant idea]] of [[ExecutiveMeddling lowering the minimum standards for military recruits]], allowing in men who were physically unfit, mentally challenged, and/or had serious criminal records. To nobody’s great surprise, the "New Standards Men" frequently proved to be untrainable and a majority of these men (who couldn’t qualify for any kind of technician specialty) wound up in the infantry, where their teamwork and discipline were abysmal, resulting in higher casualties in combat. The reduced standards were also applied to officer candidates, with William Calley[[note]] Calley was widely disliked and distrusted by the men of his platoon and his superiors even before My Lai. He had flunked out of junior college and was known for berating and threatening his men at every opportunity, and for being incapable of reading a map or using a compass. Many of the men involved in the incident told investigators that they acted out of fear that Calley would murder them if they refused, and at least one man shot himself in the leg to avoid participating in it. General consensus is that Calley was totally unfit for command and should never have been put in charge of anything[[/note]]—the lieutenant responsible for the infamous My Lai Massacre—being a notorious example. Other veterans who served with New Standards Men generally agree that would-be [=4-Fs=] like Pyle can hardly be blamed for their poor performance since they should never have been inducted in the first place. Many also point to the fact that Project 100,000 also accepted men with violent criminal records when discussing reports of Americans brutalizing Vietnamese civilians.
** In addition to this is when Pyle snaps. In addition to meeting the quota standards, the "Project 100,000" was also intended to give these men additional training by using the "new" technology such as videotapes and computer analyses (which [=McNamara=] believed would make the men trainable), ensuring they would be able to apply for specialty positions and thus stay out of infantry. Unfortunately, the training [=McNamara=] believed would help was unable to be provided, and we know now that wasn't the end-all, be-all solution he was hoping it to be. Pyle was most likely promised that he'd be trained for a specialty position as a member of the "New Standards Men" when he was drafted/enlisted... and finding out he was going to be sent off to be cannon fodder anyway [[DespairEventHorizon broke him]].

** In addition to this is when Pyle snaps. In addition to meeting the quota standards, the "Project 100,000" was also intended to give these men additional training by using the "new" technology such as videotapes and computer analyses (which [[=McNamara=]] believed would make the men trainable), ensuring they would be able to apply for specialty positions and thus stay out of infantry. Unfortunately, the training [[=McNamara=]] believed would help was unable to be provided, and we know now that wasn't the end-all, be-all solution he was hoping it to be. Pyle was most likely promised that he'd be trained for a specialty position as a member of the "New Standards Men" when he was drafted/enlisted... and finding out he was going to be sent off to be cannon fodder anyway [[DespairEventHorizon broke him]].

** In addition to this is when Pyle snaps. In addition to meeting the quota standards, the "Project 100,000" was also intended to give these men additional training by using the "new" technology such as videotapes and computer analyses (which [[=McNamara=]] believed would make the men trainable), ensuring they would be able to apply for specialty positions and thus stay out of infantry. Unfortunately, the training [[=McNamara=]] believed would help unable to be provided, we know now that wasn't the end-all, be-all solution he was hoping it to be. Pyle was most likely promised that he'd be trained for a specialty position as a member of the "New Standards Men" when he was drafted/enlisted...and finding out he was going to be sent off to be cannon fodder anyway [[DespairEventHorizon broke him]].

** Even though many people have said (rightfully) that Hartman's [[TooDumbToLive yelling at Pyle while Pyle was clearly unhinged and carrying a loaded rifle was a dumb idea at best]]...it does make sense considering that he believed cowing Pyle into submission by shouting would work like it had in the past. Unfortunately, he didn't recognize that Joker's kindness and willingness to help Pyle was probably the only thing that kept Pyle from snapping sooner. If Hartman had kept talking to Pyle as Joker was doing, he might've been able to convince Pyle to put down the weapon sooner.

* It's really Joker, not Lawrence, who is unfit for service. Joker finds a clearly unbalanced man in the head loading a rifle (a violation of at least ''three'' regulations), and makes no attempt to either disarm him (the rifle was empty and leaning against a wall when Joker finds him) or alert the [=MPs=] to someone loading a rifle in the head, which results in a DI getting killed and a recruit killing himself. Though given the situation (Pyle's larger size compared to Joker, the rifle leaning against the toilet tank and not accessible to Joker but well within Pyle's reach, Pyle's mental state and potential to go berserk, etc) Joker freezing up and not doing anything isn't necessarily a bad thing.

* When he kills the sniper Joker's body is angled in a way to hide his peace button and 'Born to Kill' on his helmet is on full display.

* The door gunner is shooting civilians to ''simply pass the time.''

* Private Pyle could have planned to kill Hartman earlier in training rather than it be a opportunity he got on the last night when Joker interrupted his suicide or just as a crazed act from a mental breakdown. Pyle got fitter, faster and stronger after being trained by Joker not only cause he was nicer and more encouraging to him but also because he was pushing himself to get back at the man who was responsible for his abuse by him and the other marines (except Joker who treated him with some respect and concern) and he was pushing through to be a really good marksman so he'd be able to effectively and be able to find the opportunity to kill Hartman. This was the last night before they were shipped possibly because it was his last chance of doing so and probably wanted to gain maximum training by then. Also think about he went out of his have to more than one bullet and he didn't just kill himself straight. He could have been waiting on Joker to find him out of bunk so he could have caused a scene (such as the loud rifle speech) and gained the attention of Hartman in an area where the other recruits would have less chance to protect him (in bed at night away from the bathroom) and chose the night Joker was on cause he felt he'd be the least likely to stop him (as he seemed to be the only one who was upset he died, thinner than Pyle, and him along with the other recruits may not have liked Hartman. Remember even Creator/RLeeErmey the actor/DI who played him said he was a bad DS). It ultimately ended with Pyle killing himself to end his mental suffering, avoid punishment and not have to go to war.

** Even though many people have said (rightfully) that Hartman's [[TooStupidToLive yelling at Pyle while Pyle was clearly unhinged and carrying a loaded rifle was a dumb idea at best]]...it does make sense considering that he believed cowing Pyle into submission by shouting would work like it had in the past. Unfortunately, he didn't recognize that Joker's kindness and willingness to help Pyle was probably the only thing that kept Pyle from snapping sooner. If Hartman had kept talking to Pyle as Joker was doing, he might've been able to convince Pyle to put down the weapon sooner.

** Even though many people have said (rightfully) that Hartman's [[TooStupidToLive yelling at Pyle while Pyle was clearly unhinged and carrying a loaded rifle was a dumb idea at best]]...it does make sense considering that he believed cowing Pyle into submission by shouting would work like it had in the past. Unfortunately, he didn't recognize that Joker's kindness and willingness to help Pyle was probably the only thing that kept Pyle from snapping sooner.

** In addition to this is when Pyle snaps. In addition to meeting the quota standards, the "Project 100,000" was also intended to give these men additional training by using the "new" technology such as videotapes and computer analyses (which [=McNamara=] believed would make the men trainable), ensuring they would be able to apply for specialty positions and thus stay out of infantry. Unfortunately, the training [[=McNamara=]] believed would help unable to be provided, we know now that wasn't the end-all, be-all solution he was hoping it to be. Pyle was most likely promised that he'd be trained for a specialty position as a member of the "New Standards Men" when he was drafted/enlisted...and finding out he was going to be sent off to be cannon fodder anyway [[DespairEventHorizon broke him]].

** In addition to this is when Pyle snaps. In addition to meeting the quota standards, the "Project 100,000" was also intended to give these men additional training by using the "new" technology (which McNamara believed would make the men trainable), ensuring they would be able to apply for specialty positions and thus stay out of infantry. Pyle was most likely told this as a member of the "New Standards Men" when he was drafted/enlisted...and finding out he was going to be sent off to be cannon fodder anyway [[DespairEventHorizon broke him]].

* The door gunner is shooting a civilians to ''simply pass the time.''

* Private Pyle could of planned to kill Hartman earlier in training rather than it be a opportunity he got on the last night when Joker interrupted his suicide or just as a crazed act from a mental breakdown Pyle got more fit, faster and stronger after being trained by Joker not only cause he was nicer and more encouraging to him but also because he was pushing himself to get back at the man who was responsible for his abuse by him and the other marines (except Joker who treated him with some respect and concern) and he was pushing through to be a really good marksman so he'd be able to effectively and be able to find the opportunity to kill Hartman. This was the last night before they were shipped possibly because it was his last chance of doing so and probably wanted to gain maximum training by then. also think about he went out of his have to more than one bullet and he didn't just kill himself straight. He could of been waiting on Joker to find him out of bunk so he could of caused a scene (such as the loud rifle speech) and gain the attention of Hartman in an area where the other recruits would have less chance to protect him (in bed at night away from the bathroom) and chose the night Joker was on cause he felt he'd be the least likely to stop him (as he seemed to be the only one who was upset he died, thinner than pyle, and him along with the other recruits may not have liked Hartman. Remember even R Lee Ermey the actor/DI who played him said he was a bad DS). It ultimately ended with Pyle killing himself to end his mental suffering, avoid punishment and not have to go to war.