Watch From Kansas to Kandahar: Citizen Soldiers at War

From Kansas to Kandahar: Citizen Soldiers at War is a 2007 documentary film that tells the story of a group of Kansas army reservists who are deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. The film takes the viewers through the soldiers' journey from their everyday civilian lives in Kansas to their intense military training and the harsh realities of combat in Afghanistan.

Directed by Brent Renaud and Craig Renaud, the documentary provides a unique perspective on the Afghanistan war through the eyes of citizen soldiers who had never been in combat before. The film is an honest portrayal of the experiences of the ordinary men and women who answered the call to serve their country in a time of war.

The film opens with interviews of the soldiers and their families in Kansas as they prepare for their deployment. We see their lives before they leave for Afghanistan: working their civilian jobs, spending time with their families, and preparing for what they know will be a difficult journey. The viewers get to know each of the soldiers personally and see their individual struggles and concerns about leaving their loved ones behind.

Once the soldiers arrive in Afghanistan, the film follows them as they navigate the unfamiliar terrain and the unfamiliar culture. They are tasked with leading a group of Afghan National Army soldiers on missions to hunt down Taliban fighters and diffuse improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that are lethal and unpredictable.

The film captures the difficulties of the soldiers' mission in Afghanistan – the constant threat of being attacked by the enemy, the challenges of working alongside Afghan soldiers who don't speak English and have different military tactics, and the emotional toll of being away from their families for months on end. We witness firsthand the effects of PTSD as one soldier tries to come to terms with the traumas he has experienced in Afghanistan.

From Kansas to Kandahar: Citizen Soldiers at War also sheds light on the complexities of the war in Afghanistan, including the local politics, the struggles of the Afghan population, and the role of the US military in the region. We see how the soldiers interact with the Afghan people in an attempt to win hearts and minds, and we learn about the difficult decisions that military leaders have to make in order to accomplish their objectives and keep their soldiers safe.

Throughout the film, we see the soldiers grappling with the morality of the war and what it means to be fighting in a foreign land. They confide in each other about their doubts and the ethical dilemmas they face, and we see them struggle to reconcile their sense of duty to their country with their sense of human compassion.

The documentary also pays tribute to the sacrifices made by the soldiers and their families. Through interviews with family members back in Kansas, we see how their loved ones cope with the fear and uncertainty of having someone they care about in a war zone. We see how the soldiers themselves try to maintain a sense of normalcy by keeping in touch with their families via video chat and writing letters.

By the film's conclusion, the viewers are left with a sense of admiration for the resilience and bravery of these civilian soldiers. We see firsthand the sacrifices they make every day and the courage they show in the face of danger. From Kansas to Kandahar: Citizen Soldiers at War is a moving and poignant tribute to the men and women who serve their country in times of war, and a reminder of the complexities of the conflicts they are tasked with fighting.

Overall, From Kansas to Kandahar: Citizen Soldiers at War presents an intimate and personal look at the Afghanistan war and the human toll it takes on ordinary soldiers and their families back home. It is a film that is sure to resonate with anyone who has an interest in the military or the realities of war, and a must-watch for anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of the sacrifices made by those who serve their country.

From Kansas to Kandahar: Citizen Soldiers at War is a 2007 war movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes.