Mail Call: Season 02  (2003)

Theatrical Release Information:
Mail Call: Season 02

R. Lee Ermey, the raspy-voiced former Marine Corps Staff Sergeant who rose to movie fame for his hard-nosed "D.I." roles in such films as The Boys in Company C and Full Metal Jacket, answers questions from civilians on a variety of war- and military-related topics in Season Two of the History Channel documentary series Mail Call. Opening the season, Ermey brings his own unique slant to a discussion of grenade launchers, the history of the word "shrapnel", the equipment used by D-Day paratroopers,and the practicality of jetpacks, throwing in a demonstration of the Flyer 21(a combination dune buggy and jeep) for good measure. In later episodes, Ermey traces the history of the first missile-launching sub, the Bowie knife, Civil War rifles, the AVLB (Armored Vehicle Launching Bridge), the Greek Trireme warship and Phalanx, Russia's MiG-29, and Smart Bombs; he also guides us through a wartime Tactical Operations Center and discourses on the battle readiness of boomerangs, the origin of the term "doughboy", the significance of various military salutes, the saving of household fats during WW2, depth charges, the medieval battering ram and the earliest combat helicopter. The season finale offers answers to questions (many sent in by voice mail) about Sherman tanks, rifles of the future and the latest Coast Guard vessels. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide