one thing from my point of view is that it's important to figure the movie's intent. stripes is funny as hell despite being totally unrealistic, movies like the longest day and a bridge too far are classics, though there are many moments of over-acting, but that was just because of the period. clint does some fine-ass work, but holy hell, heartbreak ridge was totally out there...it was striped without the laughs.
now something like jarhead is total bs, not only for the liberties it takes, but also because it was a bleeding heart liberal's attack on war itself. i've not been in the marines but i was in the 101 during desert shield/storm and i can tell you that there wouldn't be any chance of .01% of what was told in the movie could happen, especially in a recon unit where the discipline is ultra-high. hell, i remember people being threatened with article 15's if they used a shower that was designated for another company!