Combat School (TV series)
Combat School is a Canadian documentary television series that premiered on March 10, 2009, on the Discovery Channel.[1][2][3] The show focuses on a platoon of soldiers as they undergo warfare training prior to disembarking for a tour of duty in Afghanistan. The series was produced by Paperny Entertainment.[1][2] The series was narrated by Canadian actor Kavan Smith.
| Combat School | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Documentary |
| Created by | David Paperny |
| Country of origin | Canada |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 6 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | David Paperny Cal Shumiatcher |
| Running time | 45 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Paperny Films |
| Release | |
| Original network | Discovery Channel |
| Original release | March 10 – April 14, 2009 |
| External links | |
| Website | |
| Production website | |
Synopsis
Combat School documents the combat training and eventual deployment of infantry soldiers from 1 Platoon, Mike Company, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment.[2][3] The platoon of 40 men and women are followed through several months of training at CFB Petawawa, Ontario, CFB Wainwright, Alberta, and Fort Bliss, Texas.[1][3] In the final episode, the soldiers are followed through their first two weeks in Afghanistan.[3]
Episodes
| # | Title | Original airdate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "One Platoon" | March 10, 2009 | |
| 1 Platoon travels to Fort Bliss, Texas – an area with a terrain that mimics the arid Afghan topography – to begin training. Right from the start 1 Platoon encounters difficulties, leaving Major Oberwarth worried as the soldiers move into live fire exercises. | |||
| 2 | "Who Here Wants to Die?" | March 17, 2009 | |
| With the reality that 1 Platoon is further behind in training than any other platoon at Fort Bliss, company commander Oberwarth does not mince words to get them motivated. Nighttime live fire exercises and IED training commence after a disastrous showing at convoy drills. | |||
| 3 | "A Virtual War" | March 24, 2009 | |
| After intense training in Texas, 1 Platoon returns home with change in the air. The soldiers move to the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre in Wainwright, Alberta for the most realistic, complex and technologically advanced combat training in the world. | |||
| 4 | "Hidden Enemies" | March 31, 2009 | |
| Without their leader, Captain Cox, 1 Platoon is assigned to a remote forward operating base for guard duty. Major Oberwarth becomes stretched for resources after a mock suicide bomber causes mass casualties. In 1 Platoon's absence, 2 Platoon is sent to save an important VIP from a downed helicopter, but may be driving into an ambush. | |||
| 5 | "Ready or Not" | April 7, 2009 | |
| When 1 Platoon tries to protect a disabled helicopter, Warrant Rhodenizer – commanding the platoon in Captain Cox's absence – is "critically injured" by shrapnel. One Platoon then reunites with the rest of Mike Company for their final major battle before the end of training. | |||
| 6 | "Trial by Fire" | April 14, 2009 | |
| After months of demanding training, the 'battle-ready' troops of 1 Platoon, Mike Company, 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment finally arrive in Afghanistan – their home for the next six months. Assigned to a Forward Operating Base in the heart of Taliban territory, this will be the first time their combat skills are put to the ultimate test in the theatre of war. | |||
Soldiers featured
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DVD release
Combat School was released on DVD on October 13, 2009. The DVD set includes all six episodes of the series, plus over forty-five minutes of bonus footage.
References
- Caverley, Sara (March 2009). "A still from Discovery Channel's Combat School". Esprit de Corps. Retrieved 2009-11-18.
- Treble, Patricia (February 19, 2009). "Prepping for battle". Maclean's. Retrieved 2009-11-18.
- "Combat School offers rare glimpse of soldiers preparing for Afghanistan". The Canadian Press. March 10, 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-18.